Japan Club says renewal environment was difficult, thanks its members

Japan Club has expressed its “deepest appreciation” to all its Members for the 2023 policy year renewal. Hiroaki Sawabe, Executive Director at Japan Club reported that “the business environment for this renewal was not easy”. He noted that the Club had to collect additional calls of 25% for ocean-going vessels insurance for the policy year…

Monjasa Reformer spotted far further offshore than when kidnapped

Products tanker Monjasa Reformer (IMO 9255878) that was boarded by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea of DR Congo on Saturday March 25th was spotted about 540 miles further off the shore on March 28th, according to a maritime cooperation centre monitoring security in the area. The vessel was boarded by five armed pirates when…

The Swedish Club announces three new management roles

International Group member The Swedish Club has announced three new roles which it said would “position the Club to anticipate and meet the changing demands of its members and business partners”. It said that the move was “designed to reflect today’s complex business landscape”. Thorbjörn Emanuelsson has been appointed Director, Underwriting; Johan Kahlmetre will step…

South and Central America – Drug Smuggling

Dean Crossley, Loss Prevention Manager at West P&I, has written a detailed article on drug smuggling from South and Central American countries, which he noted had been a significant issue for several decades. “The drug trade is a complex network of illegal activities involving narcotics production, transportation, and distribution. Despite the efforts of governments and…

Fire on US ship was result of staff shortages and inadequate training, says union

The fire that broke out on Staten Island ferry Sandy Ground on December 22nd 2022 was the result of staffing shortages and “haphazard training” aboard a new class of vessels, according to a letter sent by a union representing ferry workers. The incident, which began in the engine room, resulted in five people being injured…

National policies needed to ensure reliable supply chains, says ITF

“Opportunities for Seafarers and National Maritime Policies: Navigating Beyond the Chaos of the Pandemic,” a new report from the International Transport Workers’ Federation has emphasized that the world need “robust national maritime policies” if the impact of supply chain disruptions is to be reduced, and environmental responsibility is to be encouraged. Report co-author Chris Given,…

Ships continue to be targeted by drug smugglers in Mexico

Correspondent P&I Services Mexico has said that there had been a notable increase in the number of narcotics-related incidents in Mexican east coast ports. The correspondent said that the spike highlighted the importance of undertaking preventative measures. The correspondent said that a common method employed by smugglers in these instances was to hide the narcotics…

Knock-for-knock clauses and towage agreements: A Greek law perspective

Shipowners Club has produced an interesting legal article on how there are some specificities in Greek law when it comes to “knock-for-knock” clauses and towage agreements. The Club noted that its members come from and trade across the commercial world, and that they often use standard contracts under which parties’ liabilities may be allocated on…

Arctic shipping could soon be hit by a lack of dredgers

The expansion of shipping in the Russian Arctic will require large-scale dredging, reports High North News. However, as a result of sanctions against Russia the western dredging operators have withdrawn, and this has raised questions as to whether Russia’s Northern Sea Route (and expansion over the next few years) can be maintained. The world’s largest…