International Group Of Protection And Indemnity News

IMO Finalizes Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers

The IMO's Legal Committee met in person for its 111th session at IMO Headquarters in London from April 22 to 26 April 2024, and finalized guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers detained on suspicion of committing crimes.These are to be applied where seafarers may be detained in a jurisdiction other than that of the seafarers' nationality on suspicion of committing crimes during the course of their employment on board a ship.The objective is to ensure that seafarers are treated fairly during any investigation and detention by public authorities…

IMO Legal Committee to Discuss Seafarer Abandonment

The Legal Committee of the IMO will meet for its 111th session at IMO Headquarters in London from April 22 to 26, 2024. The Committee deals with any legal matters within the scope of the IMO, including issues relating to liability and compensation, fair treatment of seafarers and the registration of ships. This meeting will discuss:1. Abandonment of seafarersSeafarer abandonment happens when shipowners fail to fulfil obligations to seafarers related to timely repatriation, payment of outstanding wages or salary…

International Group of P&I Clubs Publishes Sustainability Report

The International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs (IGP&I) has set out its Sustainability report and updated Correspondents Guidelines to the global network of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Correspondents listed by its constituent Clubs during its 2022 Correspondents Conference in London, United Kingdom. Both frameworks seek to leverage the collective strength of the IGP&I’s 13-member Clubs and the 65,000 ship owners they represent to further enhance sustainability, safety and best practice across the marine industry.As a forum for its member clubs…

New Guidance Aims to Curb Maritime Pilot Transfer Fatalities

A guide to maritime pilot transfer safety has been updated amid industry concerns about poorly rigged ladders causing severe injuries or fatalities.The ‘Shipping Industry Guidance on Pilot Transfer Arrangements’, produced by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) in partnership with the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA), features a new section with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s guidance on combination embarkation platform arrangements. Provisions for a ‘trapdoor arrangement’ in combination ladders…

International Maritime Prize Goes to Birgit Sølling Olsen

The prestigious International Maritime Prize for 2017 has been presented to Mrs. Birgit Sølling Olsen, former Deputy Director-General of the Danish Maritime Authority.International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim presented the prize on Thursday (6 December) at the annual IMO Awards ceremony,“Mrs. Olsen has had a distinguished career in the maritime field and made an outstanding contribution to the objectives of IMO. Her comprehensive knowledge of maritime law is combined with a deep understanding of the business aspects and growth potential of the maritime industry,” Mr Lim said.The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council decided in July to award the Prize to Mrs.

Standard Club and Strike Club to Merge

The London-based marine insurers the Strike Club and the Standard Club have announced plans for the Strike Club to join the Standard Club group.According to a press statement Strike Club will continue as a member-controlled dedicated mutual delay insurer, operating as class of Standard Club and supervised by existing board.Both mutual insurers are managed by companies within the Charles Taylor group.The Standard Club will create a new Strike class in each of the Standard companies, into which The Strike Club business would transfer. There will need to be minor changes to The Standard Club’s Byelaws, and to the Articles of the subsidiary companies (Standard UK, Asia, Ireland and Re), to give effect to this, it said.These changes will need members’ approval.

Monopoly Seekers Increase Burden on Shipping -ASA

In a recent statement at a U.S. Congressional hearing, American Salvage Association (ASA) President, Todd Schauer, defended the response capabilities of the industry, and, by extension, the implementation of regulations themselves by the U.S. Coast Guard. “It has come to the attention of the American Salvage Association leadership that the resource and response capabilities of the four national salvage and marine firefighting (SMFF) resource providers have been questioned recently,” he said.

IMO Exhibition on Safe Sea Oil Transport

The 50 years since the grounding of the tanker Torrey Canyon in 1967 have seen dramatic and sustained reduction in major oil spills from ships, thanks to cooperation between Governments and industry. The story of how that incident served as a catalyst for positive change is told in a new exhibition which was launched on Monday (16 January) at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency with responsibility for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. A series of panels chart the collaborative work which has resulted today in a comprehensive regulatory framework…

Ship Insurers Plug Hole in Iran Oil Cover Left by US Sanctions

Ship insurers have stepped in to help plug a shortfall in cover for transporting Iranian oil resulting from the fact that U.S. reinsurers are still restrained by Washington's sanctions, according to officials involved in the initiative. International oil and shipping companies have been eager to boost business with Iran since international sanctions related to its nuclear programme were lifted in January, but securing proper insurance cover has been among the stumbling blocks in recent weeks. The insurers' move will benefit Iran as it seeks to further ramp up production and exports.

Witte Joins Noble Maritime Collection Board

Donjon Marine, Co., Inc. announced that President and CEO J. Arnold Witte has joined the Board of Trustees of the Noble Maritime Collection, a museum and study center located in a former dormitory at the famous retirement home for mariners, Sailors' Snug Harbor in Staten Island, N.Y. The museum celebrates the people and traditions of the working waterfront. Witte was named to the Board, along with Shelagh E. Mahoney, President of the Eastern Salt Company, and Captain Timothy J. Ferrie, a 30-year member and full branch pilot of the United New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Association. The announcement was made by James J. Devine, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Noble Maritime Collection and President of New York Container Terminal.

Witte Named Chairman of the American Club

J. Arnold Witte Sr., President and CEO of Donjon Marine, Co., Inc. has been named Chairman of the American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club). The Club, established in New York in 1917, is a member of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs, a collective of 13 mutuals, which together provide P&I insurance for some 90% of all world shipping. In addition to Mr. Witte’s duties with Donjon and the American Club, Mr. Witte Sr. is a Past President of the American Salvage Association (ASA), as well as a Past President and current Vice President of the International Salvage Union (ISU).