http://www.westpandi.com/ List of news items. http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---California-Sewage-No-Discharge-Zone/ On 9 February 2012 the Final Rule establishing the California No Discharge Zone (NDZ) was signed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Final Rule will enter into force 30 days after being published in the Federal Register. It is expected that the new regulations will become mandatory from mid-March 2012 although an exact date has not yet been advised by the EPA. The new regulations will prohibit the discharge of treated and untreated sewage in an area along the California coast from the Oregon border to the Mexican border within California marine waters extending seawards a distance of three nautical miles from the baseline as determined by the Convention on th ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---California-Sewage-No-Discharge-Zone/ Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Egypt---Carriage-of-Weapons-Ammunition-and-Armed-Guards---Update/ The Club has recently been advised by Egyptian Marine Insurance Consultations and Services (EMICS), Alexandria of a further change in the regulatory requirements governing the carriage of weapons, ammunition and armed guards on vessels within Egyptian waters. A free translation of the new requirements is reproduced below for guidance: The Egyptian Government forbids the presence of any weapons / armed guards on board commercial vessels as per the rules and regulations of the International Maritime Organisation. In the case of the presence of weapons on board commercial vessels calling at Egyptian ports, Masters shall lock the weapons in a safe compartment and issue a certificate r ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Egypt---Carriage-of-Weapons-Ammunition-and-Armed-Guards---Update/ Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-34-20112012/ Dear Sirs, New Bye-Laws  At its meeting on 8 February 2012 the Board passed the following Bye-Laws which can also be found in the Rule Book 2012/13 under The Third Schedule.  Together with the Association’s Rules and Constitution and a Member’s Special Terms of Entry, Bye-Laws constitute the contract of indemnity insurance between the Association and Members and Joint Members.  These Bye-Laws take effect from 20 February 2012.  Carriage of Steel  Members considering carriage of the following types of steel:  Hot rolled steel in coils or bundlesCold rolled steel in coils, packs or bundlesGalvanised steelStainless steelTin plateWire rodsSteel pipesStructu ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-34-20112012/ Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:20:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Australia---Great-Barrier-Reef-and-Torres-Strait-Industry-Passage-Plan---Updated/ The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has recently published an updated Industry Passage Plan covering the mandatory coastal pilotage areas of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait. Although compliance with the Industry Passage Plan is not obligatory, AMSA encourages all Masters that are due to transit any of the compulsory pilotage areas in the Great Barrier Reef and/or Torres Strait to consider the recommendations when preparing their passage plans. The passage plan contains a preamble, lists of standard waypoints to be followed through the compulsory pilotage areas and chartlets of the areas covered.  The Passage Plan Preamble contains general informatio ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Australia---Great-Barrier-Reef-and-Torres-Strait-Industry-Passage-Plan---Updated/ Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Intercargo-Guide-for-the-Safe-Loading-of-Nickel-Ore/ The sinking of “Vinalines Queen” in December 2011 while on passage from Morowali, Indonesia to Ningde, China was a tragic reminder of the risks associated with the carriage of nickel ore. Within the space of 14 months, 4 vessels and 66 lives have been lost. In addition to the discussions being held at IMO and the action taken by the International Group of P&I Clubs, the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (Intercargo) has produced a useful Guide for the Safe Loading of Nickel Ore. The Guide aims to help masters, ship operators and other industry stakeholders understand the problems and apply the necessary safeguards. Members are reminded that they are required to cont ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Intercargo-Guide-for-the-Safe-Loading-of-Nickel-Ore/ Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-32-20112012/ Dear Sirs RENEWALS 2012/2013  CLASS 1 (P & I) We refer to Notice to Members No 25 dated November 2011.  This Notice provides an update. 1.         INTERNATIONAL GROUP POOLING AND REINSURANCE 2012/2013 For 2012 the individual Club retention is to remain unchanged at $8 million each vessel each incident.  The Pool retention will also remain unchanged at $60 million.  The first layer of the Group’s excess of loss reinsurance programme for $500 million will take effect at this figure, but the Pool will co-insure 25% of risks within the layer.  The retained share will again be reinsured by ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-32-20112012/ Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:50:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Immigration-Fines-and-Filipino-Seafarers/ Previously the Club has published a number of news articles regarding fines levied in the case of seafarers joining or departing vessels in Brazil with a Seaman’s book issued by a country that has not ratified either ILO convention No. 108 or No. 185, or without a valid Brazilian visa in their passport. Club correspondents Brazil P&I, Santos have advised that as of 19 January 2012, the Philippines has ratified ILO convention No. 185. Therefore Filipino seafarers may now sign on to and be repatriated from vessels in Brazil using their Seaman’s book, and no longer need to obtain a Brazilian visa. Members requiring further guidance should contact the Loss Prevention department. http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Immigration-Fines-and-Filipino-Seafarers/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-32-201120121/ Dear Sirs,  Iran Sanctions – Update  Background  On 23 January 2012 The European Union Foreign Affairs Council agreed to introduce further measures impacting on trade that would or could support the furtherance of the Government of Iran’s nuclear aspirations. Specifically the Council has introduced new measures to prohibit the trade and transportation of crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemical products. The new measures are set out in Council Decision 2012/35 on Iran and it is anticipated will be incorporated in a Council Regulation. The text of the Council Decision can be found at:  http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:019:002 ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-32-201120121/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:55:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/DNVPS-Bunker-Alert---High-abrasives-fuels-in-Valetta-and-surrounding-ports-Malta1/ DNVPS Bunker Alert - High abrasives fuels in Valetta and surrounding ports Malta http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/DNVPS-Bunker-Alert---High-abrasives-fuels-in-Valetta-and-surrounding-ports-Malta1/ Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:16:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/DNVPS-Bunker-Alert---High-Abrasives-Fuels-in-Valetta-and-Surrounding-Ports-Malta/ Bunk Alert - High Abrasives Fuels in Valetta and Surrounding Ports, Malta http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/DNVPS-Bunker-Alert---High-Abrasives-Fuels-in-Valetta-and-Surrounding-Ports-Malta/ Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:26:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Mobile-Website-Launched/ The West of England has launched a new mobile version of the Club website, enabling easier access to important information whilst on the move. The new site offers a slimmed down version of our desktop site but retains the key elements essential for mobile users: Contacts – quick access to contact details for staff in all of our offices Correspondents – full contact information for the Club’s network of correspondents Vessel Search – up-to-date search of vessels currently entered in the Club Publications – latest news and Notices The new site is designed to work with a wide variety of devices and phones including iPhones, Android smartphones and BlackBerrys. Mobile devices are a ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Mobile-Website-Launched/ Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:16:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/DNVPS-Bunker-Alert---High-Sodium-Fuels-in-Panama-Canal-and-Surrounding-Ports/ Bunker Alert - High Sodium Fuels in Panama Canal and Surrounding Ports http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/DNVPS-Bunker-Alert---High-Sodium-Fuels-in-Panama-Canal-and-Surrounding-Ports/ Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:40:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Loss-Prevention-Safety-Alert---Zinc-Concentrate-from-Bar-Montenegro/ A new Loss Prevention Safety Alert has just been published: Zinc Concentrate from Bar, Montenegro http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Loss-Prevention-Safety-Alert---Zinc-Concentrate-from-Bar-Montenegro/ Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-31-20112012/ Dear Sirs, US Voyages – Carriage of Persistent Oil - Application of 50% Rebate on Voyage Premium Members are reminded of the requirement to disclose to the Club on a quarterly basis any US voyages involving tank vessels together with the nature and, in the case of cargoes of persistent oil, the quantity of the cargo carried on each such US voyage, for the purposes of the additional premium system for tankers carrying persistent oil to or from the United States. Members are requested to note that the voyage premium for voyages involving the loading or discharging of persistent oil as cargo solely at the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) or at one of the areas (other than ports) design ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-31-20112012/ Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:40:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Standard-and-Poors/ Standard and Poor’s have advised the Managers that they have lowered the West of England’s public information rating from BBBpi to BBpi.  The Managers believe this action is surprising and unwarranted for the following reasons:- The West of England is not interactively rated by S&P. An unsolicited pi rating is based solely on published information with the result that S&P are relying primarily on published data from the Club’s Report and Accounts dated February 2011 which evidenced stronger financial performance than 12 months earlier. Additional up-to-date data could not be considered due to the nature of a pi rating. AM Best, the Club’s interactive rating agency since ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Standard-and-Poors/ Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:35:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Turkey---Environmental-Pollution-Fines---Updated/ The Club continues to encounter instances of vessels being fined in Turkish waters for pollution by substances other than oil. Section 8 of the Turkish Environmental Code 1983 states (in part) that: “It is prohibited, to introduce into, store in, transport to or remove from the receptor area any discharge or waste in such a way as to inflict damage on the environment or in a way directly or indirectly in contradiction with the standards and methods specified in the pertinent regulations, or to engage in similar activities”. This provision is widely interpreted and rigorously enforced, to the extent that vessels have even been fined for pumping out clean ballast water. Ships at anchor o ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Turkey---Environmental-Pollution-Fines---Updated/ Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-30-20112012/ Translations: Chinese   Notice to Members NOTICE is hereby given that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Members of the Association will be held at 1000 hours on Wednesday, 8 February 2012 in the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, Neuer Jungfernstieg 9-14, 20354 Hamburg, Germany for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing the following SPECIAL Resolution: SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT alterations to certain Rules of Class 1 and Class 2 (as hereafter set out with commentary) be made to take effect from noon GMT on 20 February 2012:- INTRODUCTION Unless stated otherwise, those parts of the 2011 Rules where it is proposed that changes are made are attached with the changes m ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-30-20112012/ Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:22:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Turkey---Turkish-Straits-Maritime-Traffic-Order-Regulations/ Vitsan Mümessillik ve Müşavirlik A.Ş, Istanbul, have provided the Club with a free translation of the new “Turkish Straits Maritime Traffic Order Regulations Enforcement Directives”. Members are advised to ensure that their vessels transiting the Turkish Straits are aware of and comply with the regulatory requirements and that vessels of 500 GT or more, and those engaged in the carriage of dangerous goods, are able to provide documentary evidence that they have P&I cover in place. Members requiring further guidance should contact the Loss Prevention department. http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Turkey---Turkish-Straits-Maritime-Traffic-Order-Regulations/ Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-29-20112012/ Translations: Chinese   Dear Sirs, US PollutionCalifornia – Changes in Certificates of Financial Responsibility [COFRs] Requirements Members are requested to note that the Californian (CA) Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) has recently amended the relevant provisions in the CA Code of Regulations (CCR) on evidence of financial security and renewal procedures for CA Certificates of Financial Responsibility (COFRs). The amendments include a requirement for tank and non-tank vessels entering CA marine waters during the 30 day post renewal period from 20th February to submit their Certificate of Entry (CoE) for the new policy year within three working days prior to ente ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-29-20112012/ Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:13:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/China-Pollution-Regulations/ The Managers are pleased to announce that a new website page has been developed to assist Members in complying with these Regulations by providing reference materials and the latest news and information on what has been a rapidly changing situation in China. The webpage can be found by following the link on the website home page or by clicking here. http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/China-Pollution-Regulations/ Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:51:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-28-20112012/ Translations: Chinese   Dear Sirs, Regulations of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships – UPDATE Members are referred to the Association’s circular No 26 2011/2012 of December 2011. Matters have developed significantly and rapidly in the PRC over the past two weeks.  The International Group (IG) has liaised further with the China MSA, various ship pollution response organisations (SPROs), shipowners and other interested parties in order to clarify a number of issues and to work towards ensuring, so far as possible, that there are suitable contractual arrangements in place to permit Members to be able to comply with ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-28-20112012/ Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:33:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/US-Proposed-Legislation-Introducing-Restrictive-Trade-Measures-on-Ships-Calling-at-US-Ports-Iran-North-Korea-and-Syria-Sanctions-Consolidation-Act-of-2011/ This report alerts members to the U.S. Government's legislative proposals which are likely to introduce tougher measures in support of trade embargoes on Iran, Syria and North Korea. The measure most directly impacting the shipping industry is a proposed new "180 day rule," which provides that vessels may not knowingly call at any port in the United States to load or unload cargo or engage in the trade of goods or services if the vessel previously entered a port in Iran, North Korea, or Syria during the 180-day period preceding the arrival of the vessel in the United States. This proposal, which is similar to current US policy for Cuba, has passed the House of Representatives and could ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/US-Proposed-Legislation-Introducing-Restrictive-Trade-Measures-on-Ships-Calling-at-US-Ports-Iran-North-Korea-and-Syria-Sanctions-Consolidation-Act-of-2011/ Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:32:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-27-20112012/ Translations: Chinese   Dear Sirs, Directive 2009/20/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the Insurance of Shipowners for Maritime Claims (“Insurance Directive”) Members have previously been advised that EU Member States are required to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the EU Insurance Directive before 1 January 2012.  The Insurance Directive requires shipowners of ships having a gross tonnage (gt) of 300 or greater to maintain insurance to cover maritime claims subject to limitation under the Protocol of 1996 to Amend the International Convention on Limitation of Liability for ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-27-20112012/ Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:36:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/AM-Best-Rating-Update/ Specialist insurance rating agency A.M. Best has this week re-affirmed the financial strength rating of West of England at A- (“Excellent”), negative outlook.  The rating acknowledges “WOE’s excellent risk-adjusted capitalisation and its legal right to make supplementary calls to its members, as well as its good business profile”   Best expect the Club to show an underwriting loss of US$15 million at 20 February 2012 compared with US$37 million for the previous year and that the investment environment will remain volatile. Despite an adverse economic environment and continuing uncertainty in investment markets the Club’s invested assets have remained at substantially the ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/AM-Best-Rating-Update/ Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:20:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---New-Vessel-General-Permit-Proposals/ The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently redrafted the Vessel General Permit (VGP) for public review and comment. The new VGP will replace the existing 2008 VGP when the latter expires on 19 December 2013. The proposed changes include the following: The addition of fish hold effluent to the 26 vessel discharges covered by the present permit Numeric ballast water discharge limits for most vessels More stringent effluent limits for oil to sea interfaces and for exhaust gas scrubber wash water The authorisation of electronic record keeping A single annual report in place of the one time report and the annual non-compliance report In addition, a Small ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---New-Vessel-General-Permit-Proposals/ Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---Vessel-General-Permit-One-Time-Report-Submission-Deadlines/ Further to the Club’s news article regarding the submission of Vessel General Permit One Time Reports via the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) online reporting system, there has been a change in the deadline for the submission of reports for vessels which obtained Vessel General Permit (VGP) coverage on or prior to 19 September 2009. The original deadline was 19 December 2011. However, due to problems with the EPA’s preferred online report system, the deadline has been extended and reports may now be submitted by the 6 February 2012 at the latest. For vessels that obtained VGP coverage after 19 September 2009, the One Time Report must be submitted between 30 to 36 months later. The ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---Vessel-General-Permit-One-Time-Report-Submission-Deadlines/ Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Loss-Prevention-Safety-Alert---Barytes---Danger-of-Liquefaction/ A new Loss Prevention Safety Alert has just been published: Barytes - Danger of Liquefaction http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Loss-Prevention-Safety-Alert---Barytes---Danger-of-Liquefaction/ Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Testing-of-Refrigerant-Gas-to-Detect-Chlorine/ Following the Club’s news article Explosions involving Refrigerated Containers Serviced in Vietnam advising that a number of refrigerated containers have exploded due to the use of contaminated refrigerant gas containing chlorine, Cambridge Refrigeration Technology have now published a Guide to Flame Testing R-134a for Chlorine Contamination. As the source of the contaminated refrigerant gas has not yet been determined, Members are advised to ensure that stocks of R-134a on their vessels, and subsequently delivered on board, are tested for chlorine contamination at the earliest opportunity. Vessels should ensure that the safety precautions set out in the Guide are followed. If gas conta ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Testing-of-Refrigerant-Gas-to-Detect-Chlorine/ Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-26-20112012/ Dear Sirs, Regulation of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships Background We refer Members to previous circulars on the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships (“the Regulations”), and the postponement of the requirement that owners/operators of (a) any ship carrying polluting and hazardous cargoes in bulk or (b) any other ship above 10,000 gt enter into a pollution clean-up contract with a Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) approved pollution response company before the ship enters a PRC port. Members were previously informed, pursuant to advice received from the ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-26-20112012/ Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:31:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Loss-Prevention-Bulletin---Asian-Gypsy-Moth/ A new Loss Prevention Bulletin has just been published: Asian Gypsy Moth http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Loss-Prevention-Bulletin---Asian-Gypsy-Moth/ Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/STCW---Manila-Amendments-to-the-STCW-Convention-and-Code/ In June 2010 significant changes to the STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers) Convention and Code were agreed at an IMO Diplomatic Conference in Manila in order to bring the Convention and Code up to date with new developments. These changes, known as “The Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and Code” are due to enter into force on 1 January 2012 and are the first major revisions since the Convention and Code were updated in 1995. The IMO has advised that amongst the amendments adopted, the important changes include:  Improved measures to prevent fraudulent practices associated with certificates of competency and strengthen the evaluatio ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/STCW---Manila-Amendments-to-the-STCW-Convention-and-Code/ Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/SOLAS---Amendments-to-the-International-Maritime-Solid-Bulk-Cargoes-IMSBC-Code1/ On 20 May 2011, the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) Maritime Safety Committee at its eighty-ninth session adopted Resolution MSC.(318)89 regarding amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. Contracting governments may apply the new requirements, in whole or in part, on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2012. Compliance with the amendments becomes mandatory on 1 January 2013. As a result of changes in world trade, new solid bulk cargoes with their own particular hazards are often introduced and presented for shipment. Similarly, some cargoes that were previously only shipped in very limited quantities and were not included in the IMSBC Code are ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/SOLAS---Amendments-to-the-International-Maritime-Solid-Bulk-Cargoes-IMSBC-Code1/ Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/SOLAS---Amendments-to-the-International-Maritime-Dangerous-Goods-IMDG-Code---Reminder/ On 21 May 2010, the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) Maritime Safety Committee at its eighty-seventh session adopted the amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code contained in Resolution MSC.294(87). Contracting governments have been able to apply the new requirements, in whole or in part, on a voluntary basis since 1 January 2011. Compliance with the amendments becomes mandatory on 1 January 2012. Of the many changes to the IMDG Code, those of particular interest include: A number of new entries for calcium hypochlorite (UNs 3485, 3486 and 3487, Class 5.1). This commodity has led to a number of severe fires on board vessels¹. A new entry for ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/SOLAS---Amendments-to-the-International-Maritime-Dangerous-Goods-IMDG-Code---Reminder/ Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-25-20112012/ Translations: Chinese   Dear Sirs, RENEWALS 2012/2013 1. CLASS 1 (P & I) a) Advance Call Rates / Time-Charter Fixed Premium Adjustments 2012/2013 The Executive Committee on behalf of the Board has considered the likely level of claims for the forthcoming policy year and the basis on which both mutual premium rates and time-charter fixed premium rates should be set for all Members for 2012. It is anticipated that the cost of claims for 2012 will continue to increase as compared with the current year and that investment returns during the next financial will remain modest. The Committee therefore decided that, in order that future premium levels reflect the forecast cost of ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-25-20112012/ Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:33:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/MARPOL-Annex-VI---Reduction-of-the-Fuel-Oil-Sulphur-Limit/ Members are reminded that an amendment to MARPOL Annex VI is due to enter into force on 1 January 2012 which will further reduce the emission of sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter. As of that date, vessels operating worldwide will be required to use fuel oil with a sulphur content of not more that 3.5% m/m by weight in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI regulation 14.1.2. When vessels are within Emission Control Areas (ECAs) or jurisdictions where more onerous regulatory requirements are in place, vessels must also comply with the stricter fuel oil sulphur limits as applicable. MARPOL Annex VI allows vessels to comply with the regulations by using either fuel oil with a sulphur co ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/MARPOL-Annex-VI---Reduction-of-the-Fuel-Oil-Sulphur-Limit/ Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Turkey---New-Fuel-Oil-Sulphur-Regulations/ From 1 January 2012, new regulations concerning limits on the sulphur content of fuel oil used by vessels in Turkish ports and waters and on board Turkish flagged vessels will enter into force. Information published by the Turkish Chamber of Shipping and the Turkish General Directorate of Marine Transport suggests that the forthcoming requirements will be as follows: All vessels either alongside in Turkish ports or sailing within inland waterways shall use fuel oil containing not more than 0.1% sulphur by mass. All passenger vessels engaged on regular routes shall, whilst within Turkish territorial waters, use fuel oil containing not more than 1.5% sulphur by mass. Turkish flagged ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Turkey---New-Fuel-Oil-Sulphur-Regulations/ Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-24-20112012/ Translations: Chinese   Dear Sirs, Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from ShipsWe refer Members to previous circulars on the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships (“the Regulations”), and the postponement of the requirement that owners/operators of (a) any ship carrying polluting and hazardous cargoes in bulk or (b) any other vessel above 10,000 gt enter into a pollution clean up contract with a Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) approved pollution response company before the vessel enters a PRC port. Members were previously informed, pursuant to ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-24-20112012/ Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:11:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Egypt---Carriage-of-Armed-Guards-Weapons-and-Ammunition-through-the-Suez-Canal/ In August 2011 the Egyptian Ministry of Defence announced a prohibition on the carriage of armed guards, weapons and ammunition on vessels transiting the Suez Canal. However, the requirements were not enforced at the time due to discussions with other Egyptian authorities regarding the possible negative impact of such regulations on the volume of shipping using the Suez Canal. The Club has been advised by Egyptian Marine Insurance Consultations and Services (EMICS), Alexandria that the regulations have since been amended. Vessels are now permitted to transit the Suez Canal with armed guards, weapons and ammunition on board, provided a letter endorsed by the vessel’s flag state is submit ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Egypt---Carriage-of-Armed-Guards-Weapons-and-Ammunition-through-the-Suez-Canal/ Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/MARPOL---Oil-Record-Book-Entries---Further-Revised-Guidance/ Although updated only recently, the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee’s “Guidance for the Recording of Operations in the Oil Record Book Part 1 – Machinery Space Operations (All Ships)” contained in MEPC.1/Circ.736/Rev.01 has been revoked and replaced by a new revised edition: MEPC.1/Circ.736/Rev.02. The new revised guidance is intended to ensure compliance with MARPOL requirements for making entries in the Oil Record Book (ORB) Part 1 – Machinery Space Operations, and includes examples of ORB entries showing the correct use of the different codes and item numbers, along with explanatory notes. Members are advised to forward the IMO guidance document to their vessels to ensur ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/MARPOL---Oil-Record-Book-Entries---Further-Revised-Guidance/ Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Explosions-involving-Refrigerated-Containers-Serviced-in-Vietnam/ The Club has received information regarding problems with refrigerated containers serviced in Vietnam between late March and late April 2011. At least four refrigerated containers have exploded leading to a number of fatalities. Although all incidents to date have occurred after discharge or prior to loading, the possibility of further explosions ashore and afloat cannot be ruled out. The precise cause has not yet been identified, but it is suspected that the containers affected may have been recharged with suspect refrigerant gas during servicing. One theory is that the refrigerant may have contained methyl chloride which, after reacting with the aluminium inside the compressor, formed ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Explosions-involving-Refrigerated-Containers-Serviced-in-Vietnam/ Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---Vessel-General-Permit-One-Time-Report/ Members trading vessels to the United States will be aware that the Vessel General Permit (VGP) regulations require them to submit a “one time report” to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for each of their vessels between 30 to 36 months after obtaining permit coverage. Although it has been possible to submit the one time report in hard copy, the EPA strongly recommends the use of its online reporting system. However, the system has been experiencing problems and has only become fully operational very recently. As the electronic reporting system is now working, Members with vessels trading to the United States who have not done so already are urged to submit their one time repo ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---Vessel-General-Permit-One-Time-Report/ Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Amazon-and-Para-Rivers-Ballast-Water-Regulations/ Since October 2005 it has been mandatory for all vessels planning to discharge ballast water in Brazilian ports and terminals to conduct a ballast water exchange whilst on passage. There is also an additional requirement for vessels proceeding to ports or terminals in the Amazon and Pará Rivers to conduct a second ballast water exchange at prescribed locations in order to reduce the salinity of the ballast water. Certain vessels are exempt, including warships, vessels with sealed ballast tanks not subject to discharge and ships whose design characteristics do not allow ballast exchange. However, the Club has been advised by Brazmar Marine Services Ltda than an increasing number of eligi ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Amazon-and-Para-Rivers-Ballast-Water-Regulations/ Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Turkey---Stowaways/ The Club has been advised by Kalimbassieris Maritime, Istanbul, of a significant increase in the number of persons attempting to stowaway on vessels calling at Turkish ports. Turkey is the natural crossing point into Europe for refugees and economic migrants from Syria, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. However, due to the high level of security at Turkish border points, they often find that a land crossing into Europe is not possible. Therefore they may look for other ways to reach their intended destination. Due to the significant increase in the number of illegal immigrants attempting to cross into Europe, there has been a corresponding rise in stowaway attempts from Turkish por ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Turkey---Stowaways/ Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Withdrawal-of-Concession-regarding-the-Transit-of-Filipino-Seafarers-through-Brazilian-Ports2/ Further to our news article of 26 September 2011 concerning “Brazil – Withdrawal of the Restriction on the Transit of Filipino Seafarers through Brazilian Ports”, Santos correspondent Brazil P&I has now advised that the Federal Police have withdrawn the concession that allowed the unrestricted movement of Filipino seafarers through Brazilian ports. Members are therefore advised to follow the guidance contained in our news article dated 13 April 2011 “Brazil – Immigration Fines – Further Update” as all seafarers not in possession of a Seaman’s Book issued by a country that has ratified either ILO Convention No.108 or No.185 will need a valid Brazilian Visa in order to join or leave a ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Withdrawal-of-Concession-regarding-the-Transit-of-Filipino-Seafarers-through-Brazilian-Ports2/ Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Piracy---Revised-IMO-Guidance-on-the-use-of-Armed-Security-Personnel-in-the-High-Risk-Area/ The IMO has recently published MSC.1/Circ.1405/Rev.1 “Revised Interim Guidance to Shipowners, Ship Operators, and Shipmasters on the use of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP) on Board Ships in the High Risk Area”. At the same time as providing comprehensive guidance on the use of PCASP the IMO emphasises that the employment of PCASP should not be regarded as an alternative to Best Management Practices and other protective measures, and that the use of PCASP should only be considered after a full risk assessment has been completed. Members planning to employ PCASP are reminded that they should send a draft copy of the proposed employment agreement to the Club for revi ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Piracy---Revised-IMO-Guidance-on-the-use-of-Armed-Security-Personnel-in-the-High-Risk-Area/ Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---California-Air-Resources-Board-Amendments-to-the-Ocean-Gonig-Vessels-Fuel-Rule---Update/ Further to our news article of 23 September 2011 entitled “USA – California Air Resources Board Amendments to the Ocean Going Vessel Fuel Rule”, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has now issued an update concerning the implementation of the new requirements. The administrative process to bring the amendments into effect is in progress, and CARB expects that the legally effective date of the new requirements will be between 28 October 2011 and 27 November 2011. In order to provide vessels and owners with sufficient lead time to comply with the new requirements, CARB will begin to enforce the amendments to the Ocean Going Vessels Fuel Rule on 1 December 2011. Members are therefor ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---California-Air-Resources-Board-Amendments-to-the-Ocean-Gonig-Vessels-Fuel-Rule---Update/ Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Philippines---Terrorist-Attacks-in-Surigao/ Manila correspondents Pandiman advise that terrorists, believed to be members of the New People’s Army, have reportedly attacked two mining companies in Claver town in northern Surigao. Several hostages are thought to have been taken, and tugs and landing craft used by the mining companies are said to have been destroyed. Ports in this region are used to export nickel ore. Members planning to fix or send vessels to load nickel ore in Surigao, Philippines are advised to contact Pandiman for the latest information before doing so. http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Philippines---Terrorist-Attacks-in-Surigao/ Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:30:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Press-Release/ Translations: Vietnamese   London, 27th September – The West of England P&I Club, a leading International Group Club, held its AGM in Luxembourg on September 21st and is pleased to report that at mid-year its Policy Year balances reflect the continuing stability of prior years and that claims for the current Policy Year (2011) are developing within forecasts. As a result of measures taken at the February 2011 renewal, claims costs are forecast to be significantly lower than for 2010. In particular, as a result of changes in business underwritten at and since the renewal, the Club has less exposure to long tail personal injury claims which is expected to reflect positively in t ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Press-Release/ Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:30:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-22-20112012/ Translations: Vietnamese   Dear Sirs, CLASS 1 (P&I) POLICY YEAR BALANCES AND MID-YEAR FINANCIAL UPDATE AUGUST 2011 At their meeting on 21 September 2011 the Board reviewed the latest policy year balances as at August 2011 compared with the position at February 2011 and the Club’s overall financial position at mid-year. CLOSED POLICY YEARS (2008 AND PRIOR)  Since February 2011 there has been no significant movement in the projected cost of claims for all closed years either for the Club’s Members or for the Pool. OPEN POLICY YEARS 2009/2010 The 2009 policy year continues to develop with a lower frequency of claims than in prior years and with fewer large claims. The ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-22-20112012/ Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:27:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Withdrawal-of-the-Restriction-on-the-Transit-of-Filipino-Seafarers-through-Brazilian-Ports/ Further to previous news articles regarding restrictions in Brazil on the movement of seafarers that do not possess a Seaman’s Book issued by a country that has ratified either ILO Convention No.108 or 185, the requirements have now been partly relaxed. Santos correspondents Brazil P&I have advised that, according to reports, the General Co-ordination of the Immigration Affairs in Brasilia has revoked all restrictions on the movement of Filipino seafarers through Brazilian ports, even though the Philippines has ratified neither of the ILO Conventions. The result of this change is that Filipino seafarers may now join and sign off vessels, or proceed ashore using their Seaman’s Book ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Withdrawal-of-the-Restriction-on-the-Transit-of-Filipino-Seafarers-through-Brazilian-Ports/ Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Piracy---Revised-International-Group-FAQs/ Industry Guidance Relating to the Construction and Use of Citadels Detailed information on the construction and use of citadels has been produced by the shipping industry organisations who are signatories of Best Management Practice (BMP) with support from EUNAVFOR, CMF, NATO and UKMTO. The document is entitled “Guidance Relating to the Construction and Use of Citadels in Waters Affected by Somali Piracy” and may be downloaded from the secure section of the Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) website. Members may also contact the Loss Prevention department if they would prefer to receive a copy by email. Piracy – Revised International Group FAQs In 2009 the Internatio ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Piracy---Revised-International-Group-FAQs/ Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:30:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---California-Air-Resources-Board-Amendments-to-the-Ocean-Going-Vessels-Fuel-Rule/ As Members are aware, the State of California has in force strict regulatory requirements concerning the type and sulphur content of fuel used by vessels within State waters. These are set out in the “Fuel Sulphur and Other Operational Requirements for Ocean Going Vessels within California Waters and 24 Nautical Miles of the California Baseline” regulation, more commonly referred to as the “Ocean Going Vessels Fuel Rule”. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has recently published Marine Notice 2011-1 advising of amendments to this regulation. The amendments were endorsed by CARB in June 2011 and, subject to review and approval by the California Office of Administrative Law, may en ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---California-Air-Resources-Board-Amendments-to-the-Ocean-Going-Vessels-Fuel-Rule/ Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Itajai-Port-Situation-Following-Heavy-Rains/ Club Correspondents Brazil P&I, Santos have issued a circular entitled “Itajaí – Port Situation After Weeks of Heavy Rains” advising of a number of problems in the Rio Itajaí-Acu port complex and the Itajaí-Acu river following weeks of heavy rain which have flooded approximately 40% of the city. The heavy rains are causing the river to flow at speeds of up to 10 knots. Operations in the port have been suspended and vessels are either being diverted to other ports or are waiting outside. At present, damage to infrastructure appears to be limited to subsidence at Berth 1 operated by APM Terminals. Since areas of the river valley have also been flooded it is possible that sediment may ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Itajai-Port-Situation-Following-Heavy-Rains/ Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Piracy---Kidnap-and-Ransom-Insurance/ Given the ever increasing problem that piracy presents, we are pleased to announce the relaunch of our facility which is designed to assist those members wishing to purchase Kidnap and Ransom insurance. For more information please see: http://www.westpandi.com/About-Us/Underwriting/Piracy---Kidnap-Ransom-/   http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Piracy---Kidnap-and-Ransom-Insurance/ Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:04:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Trinidad-and-Tobago--Offshore-Curfew-Zone/ On 21 August 2011 the government of Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency in response to drug trafficking concerns and imposed a curfew which is currently in force between 2300-0400 hours in many towns and cities. On 14 September 2011 Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that the curfew has now been extended to cover the coastal waters of Trinidad and Tobago up to 3 miles offshore. The same curfew hours apply. It is understood that discussions are taking place as to how the curfew will apply to commercial vessels, but until the situation becomes clearer, Members are advised to contact local P&I correspondent Teal Pandi & Marine Services Limited for the lat ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Trinidad-and-Tobago--Offshore-Curfew-Zone/ Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:18:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-21-20112012/ Dear Sirs, Sanctions in Respect of Syria A number of economic sanctions have been in place for some time in the United States and in the European Union in relation to Syria. The scope of those sanctions has been recently extended and this Notice provides an update on the current position.United States Sanctions Property and all interests in property belonging to the Syrian Government and/or certain designated individuals and entities have been frozen. The individuals and entities concerned have been listed in the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list maintained by the United States Treasury Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC). The OFAC list is not exhaustive, because an entity or ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-21-20112012/ Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:46:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-20-20112012/ Dear Sirs, Sanctions in Respect of Libya As result of the regime change in most of Libya, the European Union has removed a number of entities from its sanctions list. These include the ports of Tripoli, Al Khoms, Brega, Ras Lanuf, Zawia and Zuwara together with a number of banks and oil companies. Details of the entities removed from the list can be found on HM Treasury’s UK website at: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/fin_sanc_councilreg_eu_872.pdfEuropean Union sanctions remain in place in respect of certain individuals and entities in Libya and that list can be found in the Consolidated List of all such individuals and entities on HM UK Treasury’s website at: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/sanction ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-20-20112012/ Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:35:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-19-20112012/ Dear Sirs, Inter-Club New York Produce Exchange Agreement 1996 (as amended September 2011) The Inter-Club New York Produce Exchange Agreement, which was first formulated and entered into by Clubs in 1970 (the ICA), provides a relatively simple mechanism whereby liability for cargo claims arising under New York Produce Exchange Form (NYPE) or Asbatime charterparties and / or contracts of carriage authorised under such charterparties, can be swiftly and fairly apportioned between Owners and Charterers. The purpose behind the development of the ICA was to avoid costly and protracted litigation. The ICA, since its inception, has been amended on two occasions. The first in 1984 was to meet ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-19-20112012/ Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:06:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/MARPOL---Oil-Record-Book-Entries---Revised-Guidance/ At a recent meeting of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee MEPC.1/Circ.736/Rev.01 “Guidance for the Recording of Operations in the Oil Record Book Part 1 – Machinery Space Operations (All Ships)” was approved and published, replacing MEPC.1/Circ.736. The revised guidance is intended to ensure compliance with MARPOL requirements for making entries in the Oil Record Book (ORB) Part 1 – Machinery Space Operations, and includes examples of ORB entries showing the correct use of the different codes and item numbers, along with explanatory notes. Members are advised to promulgate the IMO guidance document to their vessels to ensure compliance with MARPOL requirements regarding ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/MARPOL---Oil-Record-Book-Entries---Revised-Guidance/ Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Loss-Prevention-Safety-Alert---Passage-Planning-in-Confined-Waters-and-Traffic-Separation-Schemes/ A new Loss Prevention Safety Alert has just been published: Passage Planning in Confined Waters and Traffic Separation Schemes http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Loss-Prevention-Safety-Alert---Passage-Planning-in-Confined-Waters-and-Traffic-Separation-Schemes/ Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-18-20112012/ Dear Sirs, US PollutionNRC and MSRC – MSRC Addendum Concerning Use of Dispersants Tank Vessel Owners Members will be aware that United States Coast Guard regulations now require vessel response plans for tank vessels to include an oil spill response organisation (“OSRO”) capable of applying dispersants by air as part of a clean up operation. Pending finalisation of the implementation of these regulations both main OSROs – National Response Corporation (NRC) and Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) – received permission to have their customers’ plans continue without a dispersant capability until 21 August 2011. This period has now been extended to 30 September 2011.  From thi ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-18-20112012/ Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:57:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/MARPOL---Blends-of-Petroleum-Oil-and-Bio-Fuels/ The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee has recently approved the “2011 Guidelines for the Carriage of Blends of Petroleum Oil and Bio-Fuels”. The new guidelines, contained in the Annex to MEPC.1/Circ.761, are effective from 1 September 2011, when they will replace the existing interim guidelines. The carriage provisions are based on the volumetric composition of the bio-fuel blend; products containing 75% or more petroleum oil are to be carried in accordance with the requirements of MARPOL Annex I, products containing more than 1% but less than 75% petroleum oil are to be carried in accordance with the requirements of MARPOL Annex II and the conditions detailed in the guideline ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/MARPOL---Blends-of-Petroleum-Oil-and-Bio-Fuels/ Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Loss-Prevention---MARS-Reports/ The Club is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Nautical Institute’s Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS). The scheme is a confidential arrangement whereby maritime personnel can submit reports concerning dangerous occurrences, near misses and accidents anonymously to the Nautical Institute for publication in the monthly MARS Reports. MARS reports are intended as a loss prevention tool whereby personnel involved in marine activities can learn lessons from previous incidents and hopefully avoid the occurrence of similar events in the future. Monthly MARS reports will be added to the MARS Reports section of the website once published, however, the MARS da ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Loss-Prevention---MARS-Reports/ Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-17-20112012/ Dear Sirs, Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from ShipsWe refer Members to previous circulars on the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships (“the Regulations”), and the postponement of the requirement that owners/operators of (a) any ship carrying polluting and hazardous cargoes in bulk or (b) any other vessel above 10,000 gt enter into a pollution clean up contract with a Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) approved pollution response company before the vessel enters a PRC port. Members were previously informed that the MSA Notice issued on 20 May 2011 ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-17-20112012/ Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:29:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Piracy-Update---Best-Management-Practices-Version-4-Published/ Translations: Chinese   Following further consultation with industry, the fourth edition of “Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia Based Piracy” (BMP4) has now been published. The amendments were made with the involvement and support of the International Group of P&I Clubs. The contents of BMP4 have been updated to include: Expanded reporting requirements for liaison with Naval/Military forces Company and ship Master’s planning sections in a checklist format Further advice on the use of ship protection measures Additional guidance on the use of citadels A copy of the MSCHOA Vessel Movement Registration Form Additional advice for leisure craft in ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Piracy-Update---Best-Management-Practices-Version-4-Published/ Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-16-20112012/ Dear Sirs, US Pollution: MSRC – Agreement Concerning Use of Dispersants Members will be aware that United States Coast Guard regulations now require vessel response plans for tank vessels to include an oil spill response organisation (“OSRO”) capable of applying dispersants by air as part of a clean up operation.  Pending finalisation of the fine detail of the regulations and their implementation however both main OSRO’s – NRC and MSRC – received permission to have their customers’ plans continue without a dispersant capability for a period of six months.  That period expires on 22 August 2011 and from which date operators of tank vessels must include a dispersant capability ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-16-20112012/ Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:44:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Ivory-Coast---Wheat-Shortage-Fines-in-Abidjan/ Translations: Chinese   The Club has been advised by Ivory P&I, Abidjan, of alleged shortages of wheat discharged in Abidjan leading to the imposition of fines by the Customs Authorities. In most cases the draught survey figures will show either a small surplus or a small shortage of cargo, as would be expected, however, shore figures derived from the shore scales at the two principal wheat importers in Abidjan; Les Grands Moulins d’Abidjan and Les Moulins Modernes de Côte d’Ivoire, consistently show shortages of between 40 and 160 m.t. Discrepancies have also been found between the quantities recorded by the truck weighbridge operated by the stevedores and those obtained ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Ivory-Coast---Wheat-Shortage-Fines-in-Abidjan/ Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Report-and-Accounts-2011/ The Club’s Report and Accounts at 20 February 2011 are now available to view on this website. As announced in the Club’s June Notice to Members, the Accounts show an increase in the free reserve to $183 million, further strengthening of reserves and an 8.7% investment return leading to an increase in investment assets to the highest level in the Club’s history.   http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Report-and-Accounts-2011/ Tue, 09 Aug 2011 09:34:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---New-Washington-State-Oil-Pollution-Notification-Protocol/ Washington State has advised of a change to its oil spill reporting requirements. Previously, only actual oil spills occurring in state waters needed to be reported. However, Washington State’s Department of Ecology has announced that as from 22 July 2011, a vessel’s owner or operator must report any emergency that results in a discharge or a substantial threat of oil discharge into state waters, or that may affect the state’s natural resources, within one hour of the onset of the emergency. The report is to be made to the Department of Ecology via Washington State’s Emergency Management Division. The amendment is intended to facilitate early action by the authorities to help mitigate ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/USA---New-Washington-State-Oil-Pollution-Notification-Protocol/ Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:30:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/SOLAS---Evaluation-of-Lifeboat-Release-and-Retrieval-Systems-and-the-use-of-Fall-Preventer-Devices/ In response to accidents resulting from the incorrect use or failure of on-load release systems on lifeboats, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has recently adopted changes to SOLAS and the Life Saving Appliance (LSA) Code in an effort to prevent such incidents. New SOLAS Regulation III/1.5 and the amendments to Chapter IV of the LSA Code concern on-load release mechanisms fitted to new and existing cargo and passenger vessels. They are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2013. SOLAS Regulation III/1.5 also specifies other important dates: “For ships constructed on or after 1 July 2014, on-load release and retrieval systems shall comply with the LSA Code, as amende ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/SOLAS---Evaluation-of-Lifeboat-Release-and-Retrieval-Systems-and-the-use-of-Fall-Preventer-Devices/ Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/IMSBC-Code---Group-A-Cargoes---Charter-Party-Clause/ Members will be familiar with the problems that have been experienced with particular cargoes classified as “Group A” in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. “Group A” cargoes may liquefy if shipped at a moisture content in excess of their transportable moisture limit, and recent incidents involving nickel ore, Indian iron ore fines and Brazilian sinter feed have resulted in the International Group and the Club issuing various Notices and Alerts. Since many of the difficulties are derived from inaccurate test certificates provided by cargo interests, it is often necessary to instruct a surveyor to take samples and send them to a reliable laboratory for analysis an ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/IMSBC-Code---Group-A-Cargoes---Charter-Party-Clause/ Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Port-State-Control---Paris-and-Tokyo-MOUs---Concentrated-Inspection-Campaign-on-Structural-Safety-and-Load-Lines/ The Paris and Tokyo MOUs on Port State Control have announced that they will be running a joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) from 1 September 2011 until 30 November 2011 covering compliance with structural safety requirements and the Load Line Convention. Although the Concentrated Inspection Campaign is being implemented by the Member States of the Paris and Tokyo MOUs, it has been reported that States party to the Viña del Mar, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and Black Sea MOUs will also be focusing on structural safety and load line compliance during Port State Control inspections while the campaign is running. The Paris and Tokyo MOUs have advised that in the past eight years ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Port-State-Control---Paris-and-Tokyo-MOUs---Concentrated-Inspection-Campaign-on-Structural-Safety-and-Load-Lines/ Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Port-Health-Requirements-in-Rio-de-Janeiro-and-Sao-Francisco-do-Sul/ Club correspondents Brazil P&I, Santos have advised that Brazilian legislation regarding ship’s air-conditioning systems and the control of specimens of synanthropic fauna harmful to health are being enforced by the Brazilian national health surveillance agency ANVISA in the ports of Rio de Janeiro and São Francisco do Sul. Resolution 72, dated 29 December 2009, states as follows: Section V - Air-conditioning Systems Art. 60. The components of the vessel’s air-conditioning system must be kept in a good condition of maintenance, operation, control and cleanliness. § 1   The compartment containing the mixing chamber for return air and renewal air shall be for the exclusive us ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Port-Health-Requirements-in-Rio-de-Janeiro-and-Sao-Francisco-do-Sul/ Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/United-Arab-Emirates---Dubai-Anchorage-Regulations/ Club correspondents Inchcape Shipping Services, Dubai, have advised of the introduction of new anchorage areas and regulations off the coast of the Emirate extending to the edge of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) has issued a Maritime Bulletin announcing the introduction of the new requirements. The bulletin also states that ships that anchor outside the approved anchorages without authorisation, or which engage in unauthorised Ship to Ship (STS) transfer or bunkering operations, will be subject to arrest and criminal prosecution. Five new approved anchorages have been specified: Port Jebel Ali Anchorage (short term) Port Rashid Anchorage ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/United-Arab-Emirates---Dubai-Anchorage-Regulations/ Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/European-Union---EMSA-Maritime-Accident-Review/ The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has recently published its fourth annual Maritime Accident Review of accidents involving commercial ships and fishing vessels within the European Union, including Norway and Iceland, during 2010. Although the Review does not focus on the root causes, it highlights the key points of significant accidents which occurred throughout last year and features various statistics based on the information that EMSA has received. http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/European-Union---EMSA-Maritime-Accident-Review/ Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Venezuela---Robbery-of-Anchored-Vessels-off-Puerto-la-Cruz/ Club Correspondent Venepandi, Caracas, have advised that anchored vessels are being subject to acts of robbery off Puerto la Cruz. Vessels have been boarded and robbed when anchored in the vicinity of Barcelona City during the hours of darkness. The robbers are taking advantage of the remote location of the anchorage which is situated well away from the port, populated areas and naval assets, and a lack of onboard vigilance. Crew members have been threatened with high calibre firearms, gagged and beaten. It is reported that vessels proceeding to the oil terminal in Jose and other facilities in the area are being ordered by Port Control to anchor off Barcelona City. If such an instruct ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Venezuela---Robbery-of-Anchored-Vessels-off-Puerto-la-Cruz/ Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:30:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Club-Correspondents-and-Contractors/ Translations: Chinese   Dear Sirs The Bribery Act 2010 The following information is addressed to all West of England Correspondents but it applies equally to our relationship with all other contractors who undertake work for or provide goods or services to the West of England. If you are such a contractor we request that you read this notice. West of England information on its Bribery Prevention Policy following the entry into force of the United Kingdom’s Bribery Act 2010 Introduction 1. Correspondents should already be aware of the guidance on anti-bribery measures issued by International Group of P&I Clubs in their Guidelines for Correspondents (available at http://www.igp ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Club-Correspondents-and-Contractors/ Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:07:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-15-20112012/ Translations: Chinese  Vietnamese   TO ALL TANKER MEMBERS Dear Sirs CONDITION SURVEYS: TANKERS WHICH HAVE CARRIED HEAVY FUEL OIL AS CARGO As in previous years and in accordance with International Group practice, the Club is required to carry out condition surveys of seagoing tankers aged 10 years or more if they have carried heavy fuel oil (HFO) as cargo during the previous policy year, unless: the ship has undergone a P&I Club condition survey during the previous 12 months; or  the ship has undergone a class Special Survey during the previous 6 months; or the ship is currently rated as CAP 1 or CAP 2 by an IACS classification society.Members who operate tank ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-15-20112012/ Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:26:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-14-20112012/ Translations: Chinese  Vietnamese   Dear Sirs SANCTIONS IN RESPECT OF LIBYA We refer to our Notice to Members No. 3 2011/2012. The council of the European Union has agreed by Council Decision 2011/332/CFSP on 7 June 2011 to extend the existing asset freeze to 6 port authorities in Libya and this decision will be incorporated shortly into a European Union regulation. The port authorities concerned are those of: Tripoli Al Khoms Brega Ras Lanuf Zawia Zuwara The practical effect will be to prohibit payment of port charges and other charges to these port authorities and hence may prevent vessels using the ports concerned. Further details of this proposed extension by ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-14-20112012/ Tue, 14 Jun 2011 10:48:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Ukraine---Fines-for-Dirty-Ballast-Water/ The risk of vessels being fined for allegedly discharging dirty ballast water in Ukrainian ports has been highlighted in the past. However, Club correspondent Dias Marine Consulting PC, Odessa, has recently advised that such cases are now resulting in fines of between US$ 40,000 to US$ 60,000. We are therefore repeating the recommendations previously made by Dias to minimise the likelihood of ballast water samples being found to contain excessive amounts of oil, iron or suspended solid content when tested. 1.     Ballast tanks should be well maintained and coated with no loose scale or rust present in order to keep the iron content of the ballast water within accepta ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Ukraine---Fines-for-Dirty-Ballast-Water/ Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificates/ Club correspondents Representacoes Proinde (Rio) Ltda. Rio de Janeiro, have advised that fines are being imposed in certain ports in Rio de Janeiro State if vessels are unable to produce evidence that insect and rodent infestation have been subject to control procedures within the previous six months. Unlike most other countries, holding a Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate is not considered to be sufficient. Fines are not governed by a set tariff and are typically in the region of US$ 10,000. Earlier this year the Brazilian National Sanitation Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) started to enforce Article 80 of Resolution RDC No. 72 in Itaguai, Rio de Janeiro, Arraial do Cabo and s ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Brazil---Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificates/ Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Loss-Prevention-Safety-Alert---The-Risk-of-Scalding-and-Serious-Injury-when-Working-on-Steam-Systems/ A new Loss Prevention Safety Alert has just been published: The Risk of Scalding and Serious Injury when Working on Steam Systems http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Loss-Prevention-Safety-Alert---The-Risk-of-Scalding-and-Serious-Injury-when-Working-on-Steam-Systems/ Tue, 07 Jun 2011 11:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Financial-Progress-Continues-Strongly-at-West-of-England/ Following its Board meeting in Greece on May 25th, the West of England is pleased to confirm that the clear financial progress reported last year has continued strongly throughout 2010. The Club’s strategy continues to be to concentrate on making significant progress on all financial fronts.The Report and Accounts as at 20th February 2011 will show an excellent return on investments of more than 8%, positive cash flow, improving underwriting ratios, and a continuing strengthening in the claims and IBNR provisions. The result is an increase in net assets to nearly $700 million, the highest level in the Club’s history, and in the free reserve from $169 million to $183 million. This figu ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Financial-Progress-Continues-Strongly-at-West-of-England/ Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-13-201020111/ Translations: Chinese  Vietnamese   Dear Sirs CLASS 1 AND 2 POLICY YEAR BALANCES The Board reviewed the latest policy year positions as at February 2011 at their meeting on 25 May. The clear financial progress reported a year ago has continued strongly during 2010.  Positive cash flow and a substantial investment return of more than $45 million (8.7%) on liquid assets have contributed to an 11% increase in the Club’s total net assets at year end to nearly $700 million, the highest level in the Club’s history.  Reflecting an improving combined ratio and reduced claims projections for 2008 and 2009 the free reserve has increased by 8% to $183& ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-13-201020111/ Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:03:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-12-20112012/ Translations: Chinese  Vietnamese   Dear Sirs, Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships We refer Members to previous circulars on the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships (“the Regulations”), and the postponement of the requirement that owners/operators of (a) any ship carrying polluting and hazardous cargoes in bulk or (b) any other vessel above 10,000 gt enter into a pollution clean up contract with a Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) approved pollution response company before the vessel enters a PRC port. These requirements were postp ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-12-20112012/ Fri, 27 May 2011 10:15:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Piracy---Revised-Guidance-on-the-use-of-AIS-in-the-High-Risk-Area-off-Somalia/ EUNAVFOR and NATO have recently issued revised guidance concerning the use of AIS in the piracy High Risk Area of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean (an area bounded by Suez to the north, 10°S and 78°E). IMO Resolution A.917(22) “Guidelines for the onboard operational use of shipborne automatic identification systems (AIS)”, as amended by Resolution A.956(23) provide that “If the master believes that the continual operation of AIS might compromise the safety or security of his/her ship or where security incidents are imminent, the AIS may be switched off.” Therefore, in accordance with the foregoing IMO Resolutions, Best Management Practices (Version 3) advises that: “The Maste ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Piracy---Revised-Guidance-on-the-use-of-AIS-in-the-High-Risk-Area-off-Somalia/ Thu, 12 May 2011 13:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Piracy---Save-our-Seafarers-Campaign/ Several leading shipping industry organisations, including the International Group of P&I Clubs, are supporting the Save our Seafarers campaign which urges governments to take a tougher stance against piracy in the Gulf of Aden, Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean. The campaign has six key priorities: Reducing the effectiveness of the easily identifiable mother ships Authorising naval forces to hold pirates and deliver them for prosecution and punishment Fully criminalising all acts of piracy and intent to commit piracy under national laws, in accordance with their mandatory duty to co-operate to suppress piracy under international conventions Increasing naval assets available ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/News/Piracy---Save-our-Seafarers-Campaign/ Mon, 09 May 2011 16:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-11-20112012/ Dear Sirs, In its report of 3 May the International Atomic Energy Agency described the situation at the Fukushima nuclear plant as follows:  “Overall, the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant remains very serious.” While it is reported that on 5 May workers entered a Fukushima reactor building for the first time since the tsunami, it appears likely that a complete shutdown of the plant may take many months to achieve. The answers to frequently asked questions in our Notice to Members No 6 of 2011/12 are likely therefore to remain relevant for some time and trading of vessels in the area is likely to continue to be affected by radioactivity risks. Members wh ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-11-20112012/ Mon, 09 May 2011 08:55:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-10-20112012/ Dear Sirs, Carriage of Calcium Hypochlorite - Frequently Asked Questions Further to Notices to Members No.12 1999/2000 and No.11 2000/2001 on “Recommendations for the Carriage of Calcium Hypochlorite”, the International Group has prepared the following list of Frequently Asked Questions to clarify some of the issues that have been raised by Members:   01    What is calcium hypochlorite?   This chemical is a white or yellowish solid that is soluble in water. There are several products manufactured as water purification and bleaching agents, which contain calcium hypochlorite (CH) as their active ingredient. The three most common products are two high strength typ ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-10-20112012/ Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-9-20112012/ Dear Sirs Ivory Coast - Sanctions Further to our Notice to Members No. 29 2010/2011 of January 2011, the European Union has modified the sanctions against the Ivory Coast to remove the ports of Abidjan and San Pedro from the list of sanctioned entities. HM treasury in the UK published the following on 8 April http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/fin_sanc_euivorycoast_reg348_120411.pdf  and other EU states are understood to have published similar amendments to their sanctions regulations implementing the EU decision. Members subject to the EU sanctions are advised to check with the regulating authority in the EU state to confirm the reported amendment before trading or resuming tra ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-9-20112012/ Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:10:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-8-20112012/ Dear Sirs, Charterparty Clauses – Indemnity for Insured Risks A number of the International Group Clubs have recently been made aware of a clause that some charterers have been seeking to incorporate into their charterparties, in particular in the container trades.  For the reasons set out below the clause has the potential to prejudice an Owners P&I cover and should not be agreed without considering the full implications of doing so. There are different versions of the clause but the most common form is: "Notwithstanding anything stipulated in this contract to the contrary, Owners are responsible for and shall keep Charterers free from all insured risks as covered by P&amp ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-8-20112012/ Mon, 04 Apr 2011 07:49:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-7-20112012/ Translations: Vietnamese   Dear Sirs, Iran Sanctions Update  We last updated Members on 12 October. There have been a number of significant developments since then, which are outlined here in more detail than in earlier reports. Members have been seeking the Club’s advice in relation to sanctions legislation and are encouraged to continue to do so. Because of the very broad scope of the legislation and particularly The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, HR 2194 (CISADA), such advice can only be given in general terms about the degree of risk of sanctions being imposed under CISADA as the Club sees it. It is not a substitute for detaile ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-7-20112012/ Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:45:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-5-201120121/ Dear Sirs Japan – Update and Frequently Asked Questions Introduction The Club has been getting a number of enquiries from Members and their brokers about risks and insurance implications arising from the earthquake, the resulting tsunami and about nuclear incidents in Japan. The following FAQs are intended to give some guidance in response to those enquiries. They reflect the position at 22 March 2011 and update our Notice to Members No. 4 of 2011/12. They are not intended to be comprehensive. More detailed enquiries about the matters covered by these FAQs and about the situation in Japan in general may be made to your usual contact at the Managers for handling by our Japan claims an ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-5-201120121/ Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:46:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-5-20112012/ Dear Sirs, NEW SERIES OF SAFETY POSTERS In order to raise awareness of some of the common causes of shipboard accidents, the Loss Prevention department has produced a new series of safety posters entitled “Think!”.   The posters use cartoons to highlight good practice and emphasise the potential consequences of not doing so. The safety message is communicated in eleven principal maritime languages.   The first four posters in the series cover the following topics:   The need to wearhigh visibility safetyclothing while working The importance of ensuringthat exposed shaftsare fitted with guards Cleaning up spills atthe earliest opportunity toprevent slips ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-5-20112012/ Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-4-20112012/ Dear Sirs, JAPAN Members will be concerned to know as much as they can about the consequences of the devastating earthquake off the Japanese coast last week. The situation is changing rapidly from day to day, particularly so far as nuclear risks arising from damage to the power plant at Fukushima are concerned.  Whilst the current flow of information about the overall situation in Japan is considerable, we hope that the following may be of assistance: The situation in Japanese ports and shipyards Our correspondents in Tokyo advise that the following ports in south to north order are reported to have been seriously damaged:  Kashima, Hitachinaka, Hitachi, Onahama, Soma, Sen ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-4-20112012/ Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:05:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-3-201120121/ Dear Sirs, SANCTIONS IN RESPECT OF LIBYA A number of new sanctions have recently been imposed in respect of Libya. United Nations Resolution 1970/2011 This resolution was adopted by the UN Security Council on 26 February 2011. It requires UN states to prevent the delivery or supply or sale to Libya by their nationals, or from or through their territories, or by ships or aircraft registered in those states, of arms, military and paramilitary equipment as well as financial or other assistance for military activities, technical help, training and mercenaries. The sanctions do not extend to arms, military equipment or related services supporting UN personnel, the media and humanitari ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-3-201120121/ Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-2-20112012/ Dear Sirs West of England (Hellas) We are pleased to announce that with effect from 20 February 2011 Ian Clarke has been appointed as Director of the West of England (Hellas) and has become the Club’s legal representative in Greece. Ian qualified as a solicitor and joined the Club in 2005.  He has extensive experience in both P&I and FD&D claims and was most recently Team Leader for Claims Team 3 in London. Ian will work with our Team in Piraeus to broaden and strengthen the claims handling and advisory services for the Membership in Greece.  He will maintain and develop the Club’s business in Greece working with the Underwriting Department and in particular Tom Bow ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-2-20112012/ Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:15:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-1-20112012/ Dear Sirs, US Vessel Response Plans - Salvage and Marine Firefighting RequirementsFinal Rule - 31 December 2008Deadline for Implementation - 22 February 2011 - further update Salvage Agreements This Circular Applies To Owners Of Tank Vessels Carrying Oil Calling At US Ports. We refer to Circular No. 13 2010/2011 concerning the above, which provided a list of salvor contracts/funding agreements which had been reviewed by the International Group and to an update provided in Circular No. 21 2010/2011. Since this date T&T Bisso have introduced an Addendum to their contract. The T&T Bisso Addendum with footer T&T Bisso SMFF Agreement Addendum February 2011 enables the owner ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-1-20112012/ Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-31-20102011/ Dear SirsCharterparty Clause – Financial Security in Respect of Pollution In 1990, in response to prospective oil pollution legislation in the United States of America, a recommended pollution charterparty clause was circulated to Members recommending that owners should not warrant in charterparties that they would comply with future unforeseen requirements regarding certificates of financial responsibility for oil pollution. An amended clause for inclusion in charterparties of tankers was circulated in 1996 to reflect the 1992 Protocol to the Civil Liability Convention and the requirements concerning certification in the US Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA ’90).  These clauses wer ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-31-20102011/ Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:08:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-30-20102011/ Dear Sirs RENEWALS 2011/2012 CLASS 1 (P & I) We refer to Notice to Members No 22 dated November 2010.  This Notice provides an update. 1. INTERNATIONAL GROUP POOLING AND REINSURANCE 2011/2012 For 2011 the individual Club retention is to remain unchanged at $8 million each vessel each incident.  The Pool retention will however increase to $60 million.  The first layer of the Group’s excess of loss reinsurance programme for $500 million will take effect at this figure, but the Pool will co-insure 25% of risks within the layer.  The retained share will again be reinsured by Hydra, the Group’s captive and will be protected by reinsurance if lo ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-30-20102011/ Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:50:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-29-20102011/ Dear Sirs Ivory Coast Sanctions The EU has adopted Council Regulation (EU) No 25/2011 on 14 January 2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 560/2005. EC 560/2005 as amended follows the refusal of President Gbagbo to hand over power following recent elections. It imposes economic sanctions on those who may do business with him and other parties.  The Port of Abidjan and the Port of San Pedro are now sanctioned parties. Others include PETROCI, the National Petroleum Operations Company of Côte d'Ivoire, and SIR, the Ivorian Refining Company. The sanctioned parties are subject to an asset freeze and there is a broad prohibition on making funds and economic resources available to them. The ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-29-20102011/ Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:13:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-28-20102011/ Dear Sirs Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships We refer Members to previous circulars on the new Regulations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships (“the Regulations”), and the postponement of the requirement that owners/operators of (a) any ship carrying polluting and hazardous cargoes in bulk or (b) any other vessel above 10,000 gt enter into a pollution cleanup contract with a Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) approved pollution response company before the vessel enters a PRC port. These requirements were postponed pending additional rules to be issued ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-28-20102011/ Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:40:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-27-20102011/ Notice to Members NOTICE is hereby given that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Members of the Association will be held at 1000 hours on Wednesday, 9 February 2011 in the Villa Kennedy Hotel, Kennedyallee 70, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing the following SPECIAL Resolution: SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT alterations to certain Rules of Class 1 and Class 2 (as hereafter set out with commentary) be made to take effect from noon GMT on 20 February 2011:-  INTRODUCTION Those parts of the 2010 Rules where it is proposed that changes are made are attached with the changes marked.  A proposed deletion from the 2010 Rules ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-27-20102011/ Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:38:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-26-20102011/ Dear Sirs COMPULSORY INSURANCE – “Blue Cards” This Circular informs Members of the latest developments towards standardisation of procedures concerning evidence of Club cover and certification of insurance required by the international liability compensation regimes adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The practice whereby flag state authorities issue certificates based on written confirmation from the insurer that the necessary cover is in force – so-called “Blue Cards” – dates back to 1975, when certificates of insurance were first issued to ships on the entry into force of the Civil Liability Convention 1969 (CLC 69).   The international regime of com ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-26-20102011/ Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:59:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-25-20102011/ Dear Sirs Venezuela – Illegal Narcotics On Board Vessels The International Group supports efforts by all countries to prevent vessels being used to smuggle illegal narcotics. However, the International Group has become increasingly concerned with what appears to be the indiscriminate and disproportionate application of criminal law in Venezuela in cases where vessels have been targeted by drug smugglers for the carriage of illegal narcotics. New legislation to regulate the investigation and potential prosecution of shipowners and crews in such circumstances recently entered into force on 21 October 2010.   The “Organic Drugs Law” (“ODL”), repealed earlier laws and appears ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-25-20102011/ Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:41:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No24-20102011/ Dear Sirs India - Safe Shipment of Iron Ore Fines from Indian Ports   Translations: Chinese  Vietnamese   Introduction   As Members may be aware, in 2009 two ships, the ‘Asian Forest’ and the ‘Black Rose’, capsized and sank following the liquefaction of iron ore fines cargoes which they had loaded in the Indian ports of Mangalore and Paradip. There have been other incidents of liquefaction, particularly when loaded during or after the Indian monsoon season, resulting in ships becoming unstable and being forced to seek refuge. In other cases cargoes loaded have been found to have a moisture content in excess of the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) prior to th ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No24-20102011/ Fri, 10 Dec 2010 15:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-23-20102011/ Dear Sirs Dangers of carrying Nickel Ore from Indonesia, New Caledonia and the Philippines Translations: Chinese  Vietnamese In the past few weeks two vessels have sunk after loading nickel ore in Indonesia with the loss of many lives. Although investigations are continuing, nickel ore is a cargo which may liquefy if the moisture content of the material exceeds its Transportable Moisture Limit (TML). Cargo liquefaction may lead to a loss of stability, to the extent that the vessel may capsize. Demand for nickel ore had temporarily declined in 2008/2009 but now that many economies are emerging from recession, shipments of nickel laterite ore from the principal exporters in ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-23-20102011/ Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-22-20102011/   Dear Sirs RENEWALS 2011/2012 1. CLASS 1 (P & I) a) Advance Call Rates / Time-Charter Fixed Premium Adjustments 2011/2012 At a meeting on 1 November the Executive Committee on behalf of the Board considered the likely level of claims for the forthcoming policy year and the basis on which both mutual premium rates and time-charter fixed premium rates should be set for all Members for 2011. For 2010 the overall frequency of Members’ claims continues to be similar to 2009 and significantly lower than for 2008 and prior policy years.  Whilst this is encouraging, the frequency of larger claims nevertheless appears higher than for 2009 at the same stage in developmen ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-22-20102011/ Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:02:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-21-20102011/ Dear Sirs US Vessel Response Plans - Salvage and Marine Firefighting Requirements Final Rule - 31 December 2008 Deadline for implementation - 22 February 2011 - update Salvage Agreements This Circular Applies To Owners Of Tank Vessels Carrying Oil Calling At US Ports. We refer to Circular No. 13 of August 2010 concerning the above, which provided a list of salvor contracts/funding agreements which had been reviewed by the International Group. On 27 September 2010 the US Coast Guard published Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular **(NVIC) No. 2-10** providing guidance for the implementation and enforcement of the requirements under the Final Rule. This NVIC can be found using ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-21-20102011/ Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:19:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-20-20102011/ Dear Sirs INTERNATIONAL GROUP STANDARD FORM LETTERS OF INDEMNITY Delivery of cargo without production of Bills of Lading Members are referred to the Circular on delivery of cargo under bills of lading, without production of the original bill of lading, issued in February 2001 and the accompanying International Group Standard Form Letters of Indemnity. Following the decision in the English Commercial Court in the case of Farenco Shipping Co Ltd –v- Daebo Shipping Co Ltd (LLR (2009) Vol 1 81) (the ‘Bremen Max’) the Club recommends that Members take two further precautions if they choose to accept a Letter of Indemnity for delivery of cargo without production of the original bill of ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-20-20102011/ Wed, 06 Oct 2010 10:46:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-19-20102011/ Dear Sirs Revised Himalaya Clause for Bills of Lading and other Contracts The International Group of P&I Clubs (IG) and BIMCO have completed a review of the Himalaya clause for use in bills of lading and other contracts and as a result have drafted a revised Himalaya clause (the Clause). A Himalaya clause is a contractual provision intended to confer a benefit on an entity that is not a party to that contract. This benefit, in a contract of carriage such as a bill of lading, is to exempt, as far as possible, the servants, agents and independent contractors employed by the contractual carrier (the carrier) from liability to other parties to the contract, such as the shipper, con ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-19-20102011/ Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:05:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-18-20102011/ Dear Sirs Electronic (Paperless) Trading Systems - Bolero International Limited and Electronic Shipping Solutions Until February 2010 the Rules of all of the Clubs comprising the International Group of P&I Clubs (the Group) specifically excluded liabilities in respect of the carriage of cargo under all electronic, that is paperless, trading systems to the extent that the liabilities under such systems would not have arisen under a ‘normal’ paper system, that is one using transferable paper documentation. The Group, after reviewing a number of electronic trading systems, agreed that liabilities arising in respect of the carriage of cargo under such systems would be covered from ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-18-20102011/ Fri, 01 Oct 2010 10:51:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-17-20102011/ Dear Sirs The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as Amended by Republic Act No. 10022  We refer Members to the previous Circular issued in June 2010 on the amendments to the Filipino Migrant Workers Act of 1995 (the Amended Migrant Workers Act – AMWA) that became law on 8 March 2010.  The International Group (IG) understands that the relevant government agencies have now finalised the necessary Omnibus Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and additional Insurance Commission “Guidelines” (ICG) dealing specifically with the compulsory insurance provisions of the Act, that have now been published. However, the ICG will not apply to the deployment of seafa ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-17-20102011/ Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:43:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-16-20102011/ Dear Sirs WestNet – Members’ On-Line Data Portal The Managers are pleased to announce the launch of WestNet, an on-line data portal that enables Members and brokers to view and analyse their entry-related data at any time. Accessed via the Association’s website (www.westpandi.com), WestNet provides real time access for Members and brokers to data such as claims listings and triangulations, vessel details, loss ratios and statements. Data can be viewed on-line and downloaded in .pdf and Excel formats. Members and brokers should register for access to WestNet by going to the web page and following the simple process on screen. Any questions should be referred to your usual contact ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-16-20102011/ Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:33:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-15-20102011/ Dear Sirs CLASS 1 (P&I) POLICY YEAR BALANCES AND MID-YEAR FINANCIAL UPDATE At their meeting on 22 September 2010 the Board reviewed the latest policy year balances as at August 2010 compared with the position at February 2010.  The Board also considered the Club’s investment performance to date. CLOSED POLICY YEARS (2007 AND PRIOR) Since February 2010 there has been no significant movement in the projected cost of claims for all closed years either for the Club’s Members or for the Pool.  OPEN POLICY YEARS 2008/2009 The 2008 policy year continues to develop more favourably than any year since 2004.  Whilst claims numbers do not appear to be materially fewer th ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-15-20102011/ Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:17:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-14-20102011/ Dear SirsRegulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from ShipsWe refer Members to previous circulars on the new Regulations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships (“the Regulations”), and the postponement of the requirement that owners/operators of (a) any ship carrying polluting and hazardous cargoes in bulk or (b) any other vessel above 10,000 gt enter into a pollution clean up contract with a Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) approved pollution response company before the vessel enters a PRC port.These requirements were postponed pending additional rules to be issued by the MS ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-14-20102011/ Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:46:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-13-20102011/ Dear Sirs US Vessel Response Plans - Salvage and Marine Firefighting RequirementsFinal Rule - 31 December 2008Deadline for Implementation - 22 February 2011 Salvage Agreements This Circular Applies To Owners Of Tank Vessels Carrying Oil Calling At US Ports Members are referred to Notice to Members No. 3 2009/2010 in which attention was drawn to the US Coast Guard (USCG) Final Rule amending the Vessel Response Plan (VRP) Salvage and Marine Firefighting requirements for tank vessels carrying oil (33 CFR part 155). This final rule became effective on 30 January 2009 and states that owners of tank vessels calling at US ports must enter into agreements with salvage and marine firefighting ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-13-20102011/ Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:08:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-12-20102011/ Dear Sirs Carriage of Coal Cargoes from Kalimantan, Indonesia – Self Heating and Requirement to Survey Background The Club has recently been advised by consulting scientists and engineers Dr J H Burgoyne and Partners (International) Limited that the number of incidents involving the self-heating of coal cargoes loaded in Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) is increasing. In the past two years Burgoynes have dealt with twenty-three such cases, ten of which have taken place in the last three months. Low rank (geologically immature) coal, such as loaded off Kalimantan, is particularly susceptible to self-heating and may spontaneously combust if loaded at a temperature in excess of 55°C. Sh ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-12-20102011/ Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:56:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-11-20102011/ Dear Sirs Iran Sanctions: US Legislation We refer to Notice to Members No. 2 of 2010/11 issued in February this year in which Members were informed of potential US sanctions applying to shipments of refined petroleum products to Iran. The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, HR 2194 (CISADA) has now been signed into law by President Obama and is effective from 1 July 2010. CISADA expands the scope of the Iran Sanctions Act 1996 so as to include, among other things, efforts by foreign firms to: (i)  sell, lease or provide to Iran any goods, services, technology, information or support that would  allow Iran to maintain or expand its pet ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-11-20102011/ Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:39:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-10-20102011/ Dear Sirs AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT (ISM) CODE Members are reminded that amendments to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, as adopted by IMO Resolution MSC.273(85)  on 4 December 2008, will enter into force on 1 July 2010. The main changes are as follows: Section 1.1, Paragraph 1.1.10 - DefinitionsA change to the definition of what constitutes a major non-conformity The original text defined a major non-conformity as “an identifiable deviation that poses a serious threat to the safety of personnel or the ship or a serious risk to the environment that requires immediate corrective action and includes the lack of effective and systema ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-10-20102011/ Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:42:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-9-20102011/ Dear Sirs The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as Amended by Republic Act No. 10022 Background On 8 March 2010 amendments to the Filipino Migrant Workers Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 8042) (MWA) lapsed into law.  The amendments took effect fifteen days after publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation, which occurred in April. However, for the effective implementation of the amended MWA the relevant government departments and agencies are required within sixty days after its publication, to formulate the necessary rules and regulations for the law’s implementation.  The International Group (IG) understands that the administration inten ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-9-20102011/ Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:46:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-8-20102011/ TO ALL TANKER MEMBERS Dear Sirs CONDITION SURVEYS: TANKERS WHICH HAVE CARRIED HEAVY FUEL OIL AS CARGO As in previous years and in accordance with International Group practice, the Club is required to carry out condition surveys of seagoing tankers aged 10 years or more if they have carried heavy fuel oil (HFO) as cargo during the previous policy year, unless: the ship has undergone a P&I Club condition survey during the previous 12 months; or the ship has undergone a class Special Survey during the previous 6 months; or the ship is currently rated as CAP 1 or CAP 2 by an IACS classification society.   Members who operate tankers are asked to complete and return the ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-8-20102011/ Thu, 27 May 2010 16:33:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-7-20102011/ Dear Sirs POLICY YEAR BALANCES At their meeting on 19 May 2010 the Board reviewed the latest policy year balances as at 20 February 2010 for Class 1 and Class 2. CLASS 1 – OVERVIEW Over the past twelve months the Club has made steady progress in recovering from the effects of global financial turmoil arising before the beginning of the last policy year, but significant uncertainty remains. In the first half of 2009 it appeared that the pattern of claims for the Club and the industry as a whole might be changing and that, as for the 2008 policy year, projected total claims for the 2009 policy year both from Members and from other Clubs’ in the Pool might be more benign and certainl ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-7-20102011/ Tue, 25 May 2010 16:27:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Reports-and-Accounts/ 2011 Report and Accounts 2011 Financial Statements 2011 2010 Report and Accounts 2010 Financial Statements 2010 2009 Report and Accounts 2009 Financial Statements 2009 2008 Report and Accounts 2008 Financial Statements 2008 2007 Report and Accounts 2007 Financial Statements 2007 2006 Report and Accounts 2006 Financial Statements 2006 2005 Report and Accounts 2005 Financial Statements 2005 2004 Report and Accounts 2004 Financial Statements 2004 2003 Report and Accounts 2003 Financial Statements 2003 2002 Report and Accounts 2002 Financial Statements 2002 2001 Report and Accounts 2001 Financial Statements ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Reports-and-Accounts/ Mon, 10 May 2010 15:47:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-6-20102011/ Dear Sirs Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships We refer Members to previous circulars on the new Regulations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships (“the Regulations”), specifically the likely postponement of the requirement that Operators of (a) any ship carrying polluting and hazardous cargoes in bulk or (b) any other vessel above 10,000 gt enter into a pollution clean up contract with a Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) approved pollution response company before the vessel enters a PRC port. The International Group understands that this requirement is likel ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-6-20102011/ Fri, 07 May 2010 15:53:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-5-20102011/ Dear SirsWEST OF ENGLAND (HELLAS) Following a review of the services provided by the Club’s three offices, we are pleased to announce that David Comyns has been appointed as CEO of the Club’s office in Greece.  He will join Anna Kountouriotou on the Board of West of England (Hellas) and will be based in Piraeus with effect from May this year. Together with our team in Piraeus, David will broaden and strengthen our claims handling, loss prevention and advisory services for the Membership in Greece.  His role will also be to maintain and develop the Club’s business in Greece working with the Underwriting Department and, in particular, Tom Bowsher, who will retain underwriting r ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-5-20102011/ Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-4-20102011/ Dear Sirs CARRIAGE OF DIRECT REDUCED IRON (DRI) BY SEA – CHANGES TO THE IMO CODE OF SAFE PRACTICE FOR SOLID BULK CARGOES Members will be aware of the general concerns that exist with regard to the carriage of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) by sea.  These concerns have increased significantly since the loss of life arising from the carriage of DRI on board the “Ythan” (2004) and the deliberate sinking by the French Authorities of the “Adamandas” (2003) with her cargo and bunkers on board. The explosion and accompanying tragic loss of life on the “Ythan” resulted from the interaction between the vessel's cargo of “HBI Fines” and the fresh water (moisture) contained in the cargo at the t ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-4-20102011/ Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:30:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-3--20102011/ Dear SirsAPPOINTMENT OF GENERAL MANAGER AND COMPANY SECRETARY AND RETIREMENT OF PHILIP ASPDENI am pleased to announce that Carolina Lockwood has been appointed General Manager and Company Secretary of the Association in succession to Philip Aspden with effect from 20 February this year. Carolina has over twenty years experience in Luxembourg with a leading firm of accountants and as an insurance company director with particular experience in investment. Philip will be handing over his responsibilities within the West of England group to Carolina within the coming months before retiring later this year after thirty one years’ service, twenty five of which have been as General Manager.&n ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-3--20102011/ Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:27:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-2-20102011--/ Dear Sirs Iran Sanctions: Current and Pending Legislation The International Group of P&I Clubs has been monitoring current and pending legislation in the US and the UK prohibiting or imposing further sanctions in relation to dealings with Iran and Iranian entities and trading activities involving such entities. There have been a number of recent developments which impact or may impact on Members and on Clubs which are summarised below for Members’ guidance.1. US legislationA number of Iranian shipping companies (including IRISL and a number of its subsidiary and affiliated companies) are already “specially designated” by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-2-20102011--/ Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:49:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-1-20102011/ Dear SirsRegulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships Members have previously been advised that the new Regulations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships (“the Regulations”) are due to take effect on 1 March 2010, but that the requirement for “operators” of any ship carrying polluting and hazardous cargoes in bulk or of any other vessel above 10,000 gt to conclude a pollution clean up contract with an MSA approved pollution response company before entering a PRC port would probably be postponed. It is the International Group’s understanding that the Regulations w ... http://www.westpandi.com/Publications/Notice-to-Members/Notice-to-Members-No-1-20102011/ Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:52:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/About-Us/Rules/ Rules of Classes 1 & 2 http://www.westpandi.com/About-Us/Rules/ Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT http://www.westpandi.com/About-Us/Underwriting/Underwriting-Guides/ Underwriting Guides and Forms http://www.westpandi.com/About-Us/Underwriting/Underwriting-Guides/ Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:48:00 GMT