Asbestos alert
A strange little story is emerging from the Netherlands which could have repercussions for every port authority subject to EU jurisdiction. The Inspectorate for the Environment has recently ordered an asbestos-disposal firm to clear large amounts of asbestos from a Mexican-flag vessel in a Dutch port. It is reported that the crew of the vessel had been ordered by the master to dispose of 26 tons of asbestos-bearing material lying on the ship's deck. A criminal investigation is said to be in the offing. Elsewhere in the Netherlands, meanwhile, a vessel is currently the subject of an official constraint order, under authority granted by environmental legislation. The vessel was apparently detained after a tip-off from Greenpeace that it was on its way to India to be scrapped.
The Cost of War
There was a predictable outcry against the London-based War Risk Rating Committee for imposing a huge surcharge on sailings to Sri Lanka following the suicide bombing at Bandaranaike Airport last month, never mind that the surcharge was subsequently cut by a factor of ten. It has been estimated that the total insurance bill for the bombing will wipe out thirty years of the world's total hull aviation premium income in one go. If true, this proves just one thing - that aviation rates are too low. It also overlooks one other thing - that all the needless war risk premiums paid over the years in the hull, cargo and aviation markets would comfortably fund a number of Bandaranaike claims. specialist in ship arrest, and is distributed free by email to maritime professionals throughout the world.
