Loss Prevention Material

China expands its sulphur emission control areas

ALERT
17 DEC 2018

From 1 January 2019 vessels must switch to fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.50% prior to entering China’s territorial sea.
Imposition of Martial Law in Ukraine

ALERT
05 DEC 2018

While all major Ukrainian ports are operating normally, ships destined for Ukraine’s Azov Sea ports may experience delays due to inspections carried out by the Russian authorities.
Ban on use of satellite phones in India: 6 years on and violations still occur

ALERT
03 DEC 2018

Following the Mumbai terror attacks in 2011, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)in India banned the use of “Thuraya, Iridium and other such satellite phones” in Indian waters.
New IMSBC Code requirements aim to control liquefaction of coal cargoes

ALERT
27 NOV 2018

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Amendments to the IMSBC Code will enter into force on 1 January 2019. In this article, Penelope Cooke of Brookes Bell LLP explains how the upcoming amendments will affect vessels carrying coal cargoes. For all details of the IMSBC Code amendments, please see IMO Resolution MSC.426(98).
California provides clarity on its biofouling regulations

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15 NOV 2018

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The California State Lands Commission emphasises that the International Anti-Fouling System (AFS) Certificate issued by a vessel’s flag state is not enough to document effectiveness of a vessel’s antifouling coating in terms of preventing the transfer of marine invasive species.
Sulphur cap ahead!

ALERT
08 NOV 2018

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While all eyes are on 2020 and the introduction of the IMO’s global sulphur cap, Hong Kong and Taiwan are aligning their emission regulations with the Chinese ECA requirements and will implement a local 0.50% sulphur cap from 1 January 2019.
US sanctions on Iran fully back in force

ALERT
05 NOV 2018

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The wind down periods have now expired and US secondary sanctions are fully back in force.
Heightened security measures imposed on vessels arriving into the US from Iraq

ALERT
26 OCT 2018

As of 26 October 2018, the US Coast Guard will impose conditions of entry on vessels that arrive in the country after visiting certain ports in Iraq as one of their last five ports of call.
New declaration forms in Argentina

ALERT
22 OCT 2018

Argentine Customs has issued a set of standard forms to be used by vessels when declaring stores onboard upon arrival in Argentina.
Loss of anchors in Singapore waters

ALERT
12 OCT 2018

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The Singapore Maritime Port Authority now take an active role in loss of anchor investigations.
US EPA delays introduction of new VGP requirements

ALERT
05 OCT 2018

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Updated 11 December 2018

On 4 December 2018, the President of the United States signed the “Vessel Incidental Discharge Act” into law. Among other, the law extends the validity of the current 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) beyond 18 December 2018, which means that operators of vessels currently without permit coverage can continue to file Notices of Intent also after this date.
Do not wait too long before installing BWM systems

ALERT
02 OCT 2018

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Shipowners waiting until 2022 to retrofit ballast water management systems may face difficulties, warns major classification society.
Have you obtained copies of the new BMP5 and the Global Counter Piracy Guidance yet?

ALERT
20 SEP 2018

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The potential consequences of not following industry best practices may be severe when transiting areas prone to piracy.
China makes further changes to its ECA timeline

ALERT
03 SEP 2018

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As of 1 October 2018, ships operating in China’s Yangtze River Delta domestic ECA can no longer use fuel with a sulphur content exceeding 0.5%, unless an approved exhaust gas cleaning system is installed.
Don’t forget about gangways and ladders

ALERT
24 AUG 2018

In the aftermath of a recent fall incident, leading to the death of a ship’s pilot, the US Coast Guard reminds stakeholders of the potential safety hazards associated with the use of gangways and ladders. Ships’ crews are warned not to become complacent about such risks just because the equipment tend to be of a “simple design”.
West Africa remains a piracy hotspot

ALERT
26 JUL 2018

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The first six months of 2018 saw a significant rise in the number of recorded piracy and armed robbery incidents in the Gulf of Guinea region compared to the same period in 2017 – with Nigeria topping the list.
Port state control to focus on ship emissions

ALERT
25 JUL 2018

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The agreement by major PSC regimes to conduct concentrated inspection campaigns on compliance with MARPOL Annex VI on the prevention of air pollution from ships serves as a timely reminder ahead of the entry into force of the 2020 global sulphur cap.
Hitchhiking bugs can cause a stink in Australia

ALERT
19 JUL 2018

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Updated 14 November 2018

In an effort to keep the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug out of the country, Australia has introduced seasonal import measures applicable to vessels arriving from the United States, Japan and certain European countries between 1 September 2018 and 30 April 2019. New Zealand’s recent publication of a new Import Health Standard for Vehicles, Machinery and Equipment ensures that similar requirements are being enforced there.
Have you remembered to fit compliant firefighters’ radios onboard?

ALERT
13 JUL 2018

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All vessels must now carry onboard a minimum of two two-way portable radio telephone apparatus for each team of firefighters. The radios must be certified for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and should otherwise be fit for purpose for crew wearing firefighter’s outfits.
Thailand suspends all waste import

ALERT
06 JUL 2018

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Thai Customs recently found that waste being imported into Thailand was mis-declared, usually as a recyclable type, when in reality it was bound for waste disposal. The Thai Police also discovered that a number of recipients of such waste, said to be recycling facilities, do not have any such capability.