News
18 December 2020
The International Group Pooling and GXL Reinsurance contract structure for 2021 have now been finalised.
The International Group’s renewal rates for 2021. In a year of unparalleled disruption as a result of COVID-19 the International Group’s pooling arrangements and the General Excess of Loss and Collective Overspill Programme (GXL programme) provide shipowners with a measure of stability and comfort as they plan and budget for 2021.
09 December 2020
Meetings (remote) of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds - International Group attendance
The International Group attended and took a lead industry role in the discussions at the remote meetings of the IOPC Funds that were held on 2nd to 4th December 2020.
04 December 2020
US Oil Pollution California - Increased criminal penalties for oil spill related offences
The International Group Clubs have recently issued a further circular to Members (see news item dated 13th October 2020) on the subject of the new fines that will be applicable in California from 1st January 2021 for ship sourced oil pollution damage in Californian State waters.
03 December 2020
107th session of the IMO Legal Committee (remote) – International Group attendance
The International Group took an active role at the 107th remote session of the IMO Legal Committee that was held on 27th November to 2nd December 2020.
19 October 2020
International Group – Press Release regarding the Crew Change issues arising from COVID-19
The International Group and its 13 constituent P&I Clubs, which are in turn mutually owned and governed by their shipowner and charterer members, have become extremely concerned about the detrimental effect upon the mental well-being of seafarers as a result of the prolongation of their contracts of employment due to the pandemic.
13 October 2020
US Oil Pollution California - Increased criminal penalties for oil spill related offences
The International Group Clubs have issued the following circular to their Members advising that new fines will be applicable in California from 1st January 2021 for ship sourced oil pollution damage in Californian State waters.
18 June 2020
Updated Industry Guidelines on the Carriage of Seed Cake in Containers
The carriage of Seed Cake cargoes continues to cause confusion and the potential for mis-declaration remains high - with the consequent risk of fire on board container ships. Seed Cake is the term used for pulp, cake, pellets, expellers or other cargo where oil has been removed from oil-bearing seeds, cereals or commodities with similar properties, including all such types of seed meal. It is principally used as an ingredient in animal feeds.
22 May 2020
International Group clubs respond to the US Government sanctions guidance for maritime and related industries.
On 14 May 2020 the US issued a Global Maritime Advisory (“Guidance”) aimed at a range of industry sectors including marine insurers such as P&I clubs, shipowners and charterers.
20 May 2020
Vessel monitoring and P&I insurance – ship’s Automated Information System (AIS)
The ability to track vessels using their AIS (“Automatic Identification Signals”) has become an increasingly important part of Clubs’ sanctions compliance programmes. All International Group Clubs have now agreed a common minimum standard of tracking.
12 May 2020
Mexico alert – smuggling of illegal narcotics
The International Group of P&I Clubs, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO and InterManager (the “international industry organisations”) draw Members’ attention to the series of recent ship detentions and crew arrests in Mexico and, in the case of the UBC Savannah, the lengthy and continuing detention in custody of the ship’s Master without any formal charges against him, following the discovery of illegal narcotics on board.
