News
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.
01 May 2020
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK): Sanctions enforcement update
This Circular issued by the International Group is an update on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) sanctions enforcement circular that was published on 14 January 2019. It has been updated following the recently published 2019/2020 UN Panel of Experts of North Korea Sanctions Report.
06 April 2020
International Group online COVID-19 tracker – launch
The International Group has today launched a new publicly accessible online digital tool detailing the measures being put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
31 March 2020
Best Management Practices – Piracy and Armed Robbery - West Africa
The International Group, in partnership with shipping industry associations, have launched new maritime security guidance.
30 March 2020
Preliminary list of recommendations for Governments on the facilitation of maritime trade during the COVID-19 pandemic
The IMO Secretary-General has today circulated a Preliminary list of recommendations for Governments and relevant national authorities on the facilitation of maritime trade during the COVID-19 pandemic, as proposed by a broad cross section of global industry associations with consultative status at the IMO.
