John Passmore QC and Chirag Karia QC of Quadrant Chambers have commented on a recent case before Justice Teare in the Admiralty Court While the plain answer to the question in the title is “shipowners and salvors”, this begs the questions: What is a “shipowner”? The owner, charterer, manager or...
Legal
New BIMCO law & arbitration clause under development
Independent shipowners organization BIMCO has started developing a new Law & Arbitration Clause, which it said would provide a short and “one size fits all” approach to dispute resolution. It will also add Hong Kong as a named arbitration venue, the fourth. BIMCO said that the addition of Hong Kong...
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals clarifies Jones Act seaman status
Gard has published a piece from its personal injury specialist, Art Gribbin, on the recent Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Sanchez v. Smart Fabricators of Texas, which Gard said had “further clarified the Jones Act requirements in the context of contracted work in the offshore industry”....
Panama’s Ministry of Health first affirmative response for a safe crew disembarkation…
Gianela Rivas, partner, Moscoso & Partners
Panama’s Ministry of Health first affirmative response for a safe crew disembarkation of two vessels anchored in the Panama Bay since the Covid 19 shut down, handled by our WISTA Panama board member Ms. Gianela Rivas.
In wake of the Covid 19 shut down, vessels along with their crews, anchored in the Panama Bay, were also required to shelter in place. On behalf of myself, MOSCOSO & Partners and as a proud member of WISTA Panama, I want to express our...
Use of tankers as floating storage – arising legal issues
Sally-Ann Underhill
Use of tankers as floating storage – arising legal issues
At a Glance…
In recent years, international oil markets have witnessed collapsing oil prices as a result of an excess in supply and a corresponding decrease in demand as consumer behaviour switches slowly away from a dependency on oil. Oil refineries and storage facilities are near or at capacity. The absence of terminal and tank farm capacity has generated renewed global interest in and a growing demand for oil tankers...
Crew members seeking back pay from funds generated by sale of vessel
The 21 crew members of cargo ship Evolution (IMO 9122899) are seeking back wages from the proposed sale of the vessel. The vessel has been detained off the tip of Charleston peninsula, South Carolina since late January 2020. The crew said in a court document filed on May 17th that they were owed...
Current Covid-19 rules for Chinese ports, ships, crew
Norway-based insurer Skuld and Chinese club correspondent Huatai have provided an update on the current situation for the shipping industry in China. All Chinese ports were currently open and fully operational. With the number of new infections slowing down in China compared to the initial...
Virtual proceedings in the time of pandemic
Gard senior lawyer Fredrik Falck-Knutsen, based in Arendal, and Louis Shepherd, Gard Senior Claims Adviser, Lawyer, Tokyo have noted that Gard had seen numerous disputes arise as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Vessels were experiencing quarantine delays, force majeure claims and difficulties...
https://insurancemarinenews.com/insurance-marine-news/virtual-proceedings-in-the-time-of-pandemic/
Recent EU trade policy and the implications for the negotiations on future relationship with the UK
Recent EU trade policy and the implications for the negotiations on future relationship with the UK
EU trade policy is likely to receive considerable attention over the next few months, as the EU negotiates its future trading relationship with the UK.
The UK formally left the EU on 31 January 2020. It is currently in a transition period, which is scheduled to expire on 31 December 2020. There is a possibility that the transition period could be extended by a single period of up to one or two...
Two officers and manager of vessel in court on drug trafficking charges
The captain, 2nd officer and manager of general cargo ship Throne (IMO 9148491) appeared in the Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago Magistrates’ Virtual Court on May 15th, charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. The case was adjourned until May 29th. On April 29th an...