Member circulars
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16/2014: Entry into Force of the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks
MEMBER CIRCULAR 16/201406 FEB 2015
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
A vessel flagged in a State Party or calling at a port or offshore facility in a State Party is required to obtain a certificate from a WRC State Party attesting that insurance or other financial security is in force in accordance with the Convention. The WRC provides that certificates must be obtained from the State in which a ship is flagged, providing that State is party to the Convention. Ships flagged in countries that are not parties will need to obtain a certificate from a relevant authority in a State Party.
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15/2014: California – Amendment to Regulations Relating to California Certificates of Financial Responsibility [COFR] Requirements
MEMBER CIRCULAR 15/201426 JAN 2015
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
The California Office of Spill Prevention and Response recently amended the relevant provisions in the CA Code of Regulations on evidence of financial security required for COFRs. The new regulations now specifically state that where P&I coverage has expired the operator must submit a copy of the new COE at least 10 calendar days before operating in California waters.
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14/2014: Amendments to the Rules for MOUs for 2015
MEMBER CIRCULAR 14/201415 JAN 2015
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
This circular outlines amendments to the Rules for MOUs of both Assuranceforeningen Gard - gjensidig - and Gard P. & I. (Bermuda) Ltd, which will enter into force at noon GMT on 20 February 2015.
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13/2014: Amendments to the Rules for Ships for 2015
MEMBER CIRCULAR 13/201415 JAN 2015
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
This circular outlines amendments to the Rules for Ships of both Assuranceforeningen Gard -gjensidig - and Gard P. & I. (Bermuda) Ltd, which will enter into force at noon GMT on 20 February 2015.
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12/2014: Entry into force of the Nairobi Convention on the Removal of Wrecks
MEMBER CIRCULAR 12/1419 DEC 2014
Vessels must obtain a certificate from a State Party to the Wreck Removal Convention attesting to the fact that it has insurance to cover liability under the Convention in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime. All International Group Clubs have agreed to issue Blue Cards so that Members
may apply for a WRC certificate. -
11/2014: Regulations of The People’s Republic of China on the prevention and control of marine pollution from ships
MEMBER CIRCULAR 11/201404 DEC 2014
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
The International Group has amended the recommended spill response contract wording and has produced a revised IG Sample Agreement dated 20 November 2014.
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10/2014: Iran Sanctions Circular – Extension of Sanctions Relief under the Joint Plan of Action
MEMBER CIRCULAR 1028 NOV 2014
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
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9/2014: Revised Himalaya Clause for bills of lading and other contracts
MEMBER CIRCULAR 0919 NOV 2014
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
There have been cases reported in the US where claimants have filed suit against vessel managers in order to avoid the COGSA defences/limitations which protect shipowners. US legal advice was therefore obtained on a possible amendment of the current revised clause ...
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8/2014: Circular on the Entry into Force of the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks
MEMBER CIRCULAR 08/201405 NOV 2014
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
On 14 April 2014 the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007 achieved the requisite number of ratifications triggering the entry into force conditions. The Convention will enter into force in State Parties on 14 April 2015.
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7/2014: Review of policy years, premium rating for the 2015 policy year, and half year status report as at 20 August, 2014
MEMBER CIRCULAR 07/201428 OCT 2014
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
We are pleased to report that the financial position of Gard P. & I. (Bermuda) Ltd and Assuranceforeningen Gard – gjensidig as at the end of the second quarter of 2014 (20 August, 2014) remains strong.
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6/2014: European Union Sanctions in respect of Crimea and Sevastopol
MEMBER CIRCULAR 06/201411 AUG 2014
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
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5/2014: Iran Sanctions Circular on the Extension of Sanctions Relief under the Joint Plan of Action
MEMBER CIRCULAR 05/201425 JUL 2014
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
The six month temporary suspension period of certain transportation and insurance prohibitions expired on 20 July 2014. Subject to the parties to the JPoA meeting certain conditions, it has been agreed that a further period of temporary suspension of prohibition measures will apply until 24 November 2014.
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4/2014: European Union Sanctions in respect of Crimea and Sevastopol - COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) No 692/2014 of 23 June 2014 concerning restrictions on the import into the Union of goods originating in Crimea or Sevastopol
MEMBER CIRCULAR 04/201415 JUL 2014
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
The European Union has published Regulation 692/2014 of 23 June 2014, introducing trade sanctions in respect of goods originating in Crimea or Sevastopol and on the provision of financing or financial assistance, insurance and reinsurance, related to the import of such goods
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3/2014: Review of Policy Years – Release Calls
MEMBER CIRCULAR 03/201426 MAY 2014
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
At their recent meetings your Boards received reports on matters of importance for the business activities of Gard P. & I. (Bermuda) Ltd and Assuranceforeningen Gard - gjensidig (the “Associations”) and were pleased to note that the financial position of the Associations had strengthened further.
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2/2014: Entry into Force of the Protocol of 2002 to the Athens Convention relating to the carriage of passengers and their luggage by sea, 1974
MEMBER CIRCULAR 02/201416 APR 2014
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
Members are referred to the Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 as amended by the 2002 Protocol (the “Convention”), together with the 2006 IMO Reservation and Guidelines for Implementation of the Convention covering war risks.
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1/2014: GUARDCON West Africa
MEMBER CIRCULAR 01/201410 APR 2014
ALSO AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE/和訳 (PDF)
GUARDCON West Africa is approved by all of the International Group clubs. It will provide contract certainty and make it simpler and quicker for shipowners to put in place appropriate security arrangements when trading in the high risk areas off West Africa.
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24/2013: US/EU Iran sanctions - six month suspension of insurance prohibitions 20/01/14 – 20/07/14 - urgent update
MEMBER CIRCULAR 24/1328 JAN 2014
OFAC has advised that it is not presently able to confirm whether the insurance cover provided in respect of liabilities arising during the six month period will be prohibited from responding after 20 July 2014 and clubs should proceed on the basis that beyond 20 July 2014, clubs will not be able to respond to any claims presented in respect of liabilities arising during the 20 January/20 July suspension period.
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23/2013; US Non Tank Final Rule – Vessel Response Plans – Alaska Alternative Planning Criteria (Non Tank Vessels)
MEMBER CIRCULAR 23/1328 JAN 2014
Further to our member circular no. 21/2013, and the fact that the terms of the enrolment agreement do not conform with the International Group Guidelines on Vessel Response Plans, we have been informed that a further change will be made to the enrolment agreement to make specific reference to Alaska Chadux in tick box 3.
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22/2013: Iron Ore Fines/Iron Ore Cargoes – Early Implementation of recent changes to the IMSBC Code – Australia and Brazil
MEMBER CIRCULAR 22/201322 JAN 2014
A new iron ore fines (IOF) Schedule to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code governing the carriage of IOF by sea, and an amended iron ore Schedule, were agreed at the IMO DSC 18 meeting in September 2013, subject to final approval by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee at its 95th session in 2015.
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21/2013: US Vessel Response Plans – Non-tank Final Rule – Update
MEMBER CIRCULAR 21/1322 JAN 2014
Members are reminded that the US Non-Tank Vessel Response Plan (NTVRP) final rule will come into force on 30 January 2014. Despite an approach by the International Group, amongst others, requesting an extension to the deadline, the US Coast Guard (USCG) has stated that there will be no extension of the deadline.