US Oil Pollution California - Increased criminal penalties for oil spill related offences
The International Group Clubs have issued the following circular to their Members advising that new fines will be applicable in California from 1st January 2021 for ship sourced oil pollution damage in Californian State waters.
Updated Industry Guidelines on the Carriage of Seed Cake in Containers
The carriage of Seed Cake cargoes continues to cause confusion and the potential for mis-declaration remains high - with the consequent risk of fire on board container ships. Seed Cake is the term used for pulp, cake, pellets, expellers or other cargo where oil has been removed from oil-bearing seeds, cereals or commodities with similar properties, including all such types of seed meal. It is principally used as an ingredient in animal feeds.
International Group clubs respond to the US Government sanctions guidance for maritime and related industries.
On 14 May 2020 the US issued a Global Maritime Advisory (“Guidance”) aimed at a range of industry sectors including marine insurers such as P&I clubs, shipowners and charterers.
Vessel monitoring and P&I insurance – ship’s Automated Information System (AIS)
The ability to track vessels using their AIS (“Automatic Identification Signals”) has become an increasingly important part of Clubs’ sanctions compliance programmes. All International Group Clubs have now agreed a common minimum standard of tracking.
Mexico alert – smuggling of illegal narcotics
The International Group of P&I Clubs, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO and InterManager (the “international industry organisations”) draw Members’ attention to the series of recent ship detentions and crew arrests in Mexico and, in the case of the UBC Savannah, the lengthy and continuing detention in custody of the ship’s Master without any formal charges against him, following the discovery of illegal narcotics on board.
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK): Sanctions enforcement update
This Circular issued by the International Group is an update on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) sanctions enforcement circular that was published on 14 January 2019. It has been updated following the recently published 2019/2020 UN Panel of Experts of North Korea Sanctions Report.