Gard Club

Reducing the risk of nickel ore loading in Philippines or Indonesia

As Gard informs, the mandatory notification requirement for the carriage of nickel ore loaded in Philippines and Indonesia still applies. This loss prevention initiative was launched in 2012 and allows for early interaction with ship operators and an opportunity to reduce the risks arising by this cargo.

Liquefaction of mineral ores, leading to cargo shift and loss of stability, has been a major cause of marine casualties and the loading and carriage of nickel ore from Indonesia and the...

https://safety4sea.com/reducing-the-risk-of-nickel-ore-loading-in-philippines-or-indonesia/

Four sabotaged vessels in UAE water territory identified

In light of the sabotage incident against four commercial vessels, off United Arab Emirates territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman, sources revealed that the two sabotaged vessels were identified as the Saudi oil tankers Al-Marzoqah and Amjad. In the meantime, the other two vessels were the Norwegian tanker Andrea Victory, and a UAE bunkering barge, the A Michel.

Specifically, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) announced the incident on Sunday, May 12.

The...

https://safety4sea.com/four-sabotaged-vessels-in-uae-water-territory-identified/

Ukraine temporarily halts ballast water analysis in its ports

According to marine insurance provider Gard, Ukraine announced some changes at the ballast water regulations in its ports. The control of segregated ballast in Ukrainian ports has been cancelled and ecological inspectors are no longer permitted to inspect vessels for the purposes of ‘ecological control’, including taking and analyzing samples of ballast water.

Specifically, according to Gard’s local correspondents, Legat Odessa LLC, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine published the Resolution No...

https://safety4sea.com/ukraine-temporarily-halts-ballast-water-analysis-in-its-ports/

Gard joins Norwegian cleaning local initiative

Gard presents Norway’s local approach on the problem of pollution, as Norwegians teamed up to clean marine litter from Norway’s shoreline. The majority of plastics found on the shorelines, sea surface and sea floor are not biodegradable so discarded or lost plastic items accumulate over time on shorelines.

Norwegians have a tradition called ‘dugnad’ which means getting together and tidying up.

They conduct two times a year ‘dugnad’ beach cleaning in spring and autumn; The initiative is organised...

https://safety4sea.com/gard-joins-norwegian-cleaning-local-initiative/

2020 sulphur cap: Preparing crews for PSC spot sampling

In light of the 2020 sulphur cap, the frequency of PSC taking spot samples of a ship’s fuel oil to verify its sulphur content is expected to increase significantly after 1 January 2020 and shipowners should prepare their ships and crew accordingly.

With this respect, the Gard P&I Club provided a list with issues to be aware of regarding Sulphur inspections:

-Methods of verifying compliance: PSC has essentially two methods of establishing whether a ship is compliant:

  • Verify the sulphur content of...

https://safety4sea.com/2020-sulphur-cap-preparing-crews-for-psc-spot-sampling/

Steps to be taken to prevent malaria

Gard Club issued an alert concerning malaria which remains one of the world’s leading killers and seafarers must not lower their guard when visiting an area where there is a risk of exposure to this mosquito-borne disease. The progress in fighting malaria has levelled off.

WHO’s latest World Malaria report noted that there were no successful steps take in mitigating malaria cases in the period 2015 to 2017.

The estimated number of malaria deaths in 2017, at 435 000, remained virtually unchanged...

https://safety4sea.com/steps-to-be-taken-to-prevent-malaria/

Information on the existent situation in Libyan ports

In light of the conditions that exist in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, there are no further changes to the operation of Libyan ports. Yet, Gard advises vessels to be in touch with their local agent to obtain the most up-to-date and reliable information.

For the time being  the port situation, at April 8, 2019, is as:

  • Working

Farwah, Bouri, Melittah, Zawia, Tripoli, Al Khoms, Misurata, Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Marsa El Brega, Zuetina, Benghazi, Tobruk and Marsa El Hariga.

  • Closed

Sirte and Derna.

According...

https://safety4sea.com/information-on-the-existent-situation-in-libyan-ports/

UK Supreme Court decides on responsibility of proof in cargo claims

As Gard P&I Club informs, carriers should make sure that they implement solid and comprehensive record-keeping routines of what is declared and known about the specific cargo to be carried, as well as of each step taken to care for the cargo. This may include evidence of market practice for the storage along with carriage of moisture absorbing cargoes.

Volcafe Ltd and another v Compania Sud Americana de Vapores SA concerned a cargo of coffee beans shipped in containers from South America to...

https://safety4sea.com/uk-supreme-court-decides-on-responsibility-of-proof-in-cargo-claims/

Asian Gypsy Moth: Inspection periods and requirements per country

The Gard P&I Club issued a summary of available information from each of the countries known to regulate and inspect arriving vessels for Asian Gypsy Moth (AGS), highlighting each country’s definition of risk areas and specified risk periods, as well as their entry requirements and mandatory inspection periods.

AGM is a destructive forest pest known to spread via ocean-going vessels in international trade. Vessels calling at certain ports in the Asia Pacific between May and September should...

https://safety4sea.com/asian-gypsy-moth-inspection-periods-and-requirements-per-country/

US and Canadian regulations in protection of whales

Gard, in light of February 16 being ‘World Whale Day’, published a revision on US and Canadian regulations and recommendations concerning whales, aiming at reducing collisions between North Atlantic right whales and ships. ‘World Whale Day’ held annually on the third Saturday in February, was founded in Maui, Hawaii, in 1980, to honour humpback whales, which swim off its coast. Today, the event focuses on the protection of whales that are listed as endangered or threatened.

Today 6 out of the 13...

https://safety4sea.com/us-and-canadian-regulations-in-protection-of-whales/

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