American P&I Club, ABS Consulting Partner on Cyber Awareness
Collaboration between risk management and insurance sectors will focus on education, training and guidance to reduce maritime cyber riskABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting), a subsidiary of ABS focused on safety and risk management, and American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club) have joined forces to provide education, training and insurance guidance that address maritime cyber security.As digital transformation in the maritime industry brings both opportunities and new challenges…
New Bulk Carrier E-Learning Module
A new addition to the existing catalogue of the American P&I Club’s e-learning modules covers compliance with the mandatory requirements of the IMO’s International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. Speaking in New York, Dr William Moore, senior vice president of Shipowners Claims Bureau Inc. (the club’s managers), said, “The aim of this timely initiative is to provide club members with relevant and useful training tools for safety and environmental protection compliance.
Nickel Ore Shipments: Lessons Learned from Losses
One of the most pressing problems for the bulk shipping industry is the safe carriage of nickel ore. The increasing demand for this commodity is fuelled by China’s thirst for nickel ore as it is the principal alloy component for stainless steel. Chinese nickel ore imports have spiraled from nearly 5m metric tons (mt) in 2006 to near 50m mt in 2011. The bulk of these imports come from Indonesia, with the Philippines now running very close behind. But this fast-expanding trade has been marred by the heavy price paid in terms of lives and vessels lost. In August, the 2012-built Trans Summer sank off Hong Kong, but all 21 crew were saved by rescue helicopters. All these vessels were carrying nickel ore from Indonesia to China.
Crew Medical Initiative Debuted in Ukraine
The American Club is the first P&I insurer to set up a program for pre-employment medical examinations (PEME) in the Ukraine. Claims resulting from pre-existing illnesses have been a big problem for shipowners and P&I clubs alike. However, certain illnesses and medical conditions can be identified during a PEME, and the American Club plans to establish an ‘approved’ list of quality clinics in labour-supplying countries where club members employ seafarers. It is estimated that approximately 60% of the vessels entered with the club have Ukrainian and/or Filipino crews. Paul Sa, chairman of the American Club, said today: “In view of this, the directors have accepted the managers’ recommendation that the club initiates a clinic approval programme in the Ukraine and Philippines.
American Club takes Pilot Training Initiative
At a time when marine pilotage is coming under sharp focus by ship operators, marine insurers and seafarers' unions, the American Club has made a ground-breaking agreement with the Odessa National Maritime Academy in the Ukraine to provide training courses on marine pilotage for its members' deck officers. This development is a result of the club establishing a relationship with the Ukrainian maritime community through its Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEME) scheme, launched in March this year, which has led to liaison with the Odessa National Maritime Academy. In view of the increasing number of members employing Ukrainian crew…
