ReCAAP (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia) has recently reported a total of 119 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships during … Continue reading LOSS PREVENTION UPDATE: ReCAAP – Q3 Report | January to September 2025

The International Group of P&I Clubs has published a circular highlighting incidents of concern regarding coal shipments from the north-east Coast of the United States (US), based on Marine Safety … Continue reading COALS EMITTING METHANE

The BMSB is native to East Asia, specifically found in China, Japan, and South Korea; it has aggressively invaded the US and Europe and is considered an invasive species by … Continue reading BROWN MARMORATED STINK BUG (BMSB) SEASONAL MEASURES – 2025-2026

From 1 January 2026, a prohibition on the use or storage of fire extinguishing media containing Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) will take effect. Amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2, and the … Continue reading SOLAS: PERFLUOROOCTANE SULFONIC ACID (PFOS) UPDATE

The annual joint Port State Control (PSC) Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) by the Tokyo and Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) members will run from 1 September 2025 until 30 November … Continue reading PSC CONCENTRATED INSPECTION CAMPAIGN ON BALLAST WATER RUNS 1 SEPTEMBER – 30 NOVEMBER 2025

ReCAAP (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia) has recently reported a total of 95 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships during … Continue reading LOSS PREVENTION UPDATE: ReCAAP – Half-Yearly Report | January to June 2025

It was announced at the most recent Ministerial Meeting of the OSPAR Commission that the contracting countries will ban the discharges of waste from both open and closed loop EGCS, … Continue reading OSPAR COMMISSION TO BAN SCRUBBER WASH WATER DISCHARGES FROM EXHAUST GAS CLEANING SYSTEMS (EGCS)

The IMO recently hosted the 110th session of the MSC from 18 to 27 June 2025. During this session, several amendments were adopted, and the text of further amendments and … Continue reading IMO MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE UPDATE 110

The Club is aware of ships continuing to be subject to “Disruption Charges” in the Panama Canal. These charges were introduced in December 2022 and took effect from 1 January … Continue reading DISRUPTION CHARGES IN PANAMA CANAL – REMINDER

In the first quarter of 2025 the Club has seen a high number of stowaway cases. Each successful boarding of a stowaway represents a failure in ships security, it can … Continue reading STOWAWAY INCIDENTS REMAIN HIGH

Download Japanese translation here. The Alternative Fuels Watch report by Britannia P&I provides an update on alternative fuels in the maritime industry, such as biofuels, LNG, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen. … Continue reading ALTERNATIVE FUELS UPDATE – APRIL 2025

Download Japanese translation here. The global low sulphur requirements of 0.50% by mass (m/m) came into force on 1 January 2020 under the MARPOL convention. However, some areas/regions have implemented … Continue reading LOW SULPHUR REGULATIONS: EMISSION CONTROLLED AREAS (ECAs)

The IMO recently hosted the 83rd session of the MEPC between 7 and 11 April 2025. A major focus of this session was on obtaining an agreement on further implementation … Continue reading INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO) – MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE (MEPC) UPDATE

Brazil’s soya bean harvest starts in January and lasts until June. The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects 169 million metric tonnes of soya beans to be produced in Brazil … Continue reading LOSS PREVENTION UPDATE: SOYA BEAN SEASON 2025

India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has recently published “Merchant Shipping Notice No. 02 of 2025”, documenting the requirements to fit Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) on vessels. The notice explains … Continue reading INDIA – NEW RULES MANDATING CCTV INSTALLATION

This loss prevention update provides insights into the latest advancements in maritime digitalisation, including autonomous shipping, Artificial Intelligence (AI) based monitoring systems, and AI-driven solutions for voyage optimisation and data … Continue reading RECENT ADVANCES IN MARITIME AUTONOMOUS SURFACE SHIPS, AI AND AUTOMATION

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has published its final rule to introduce cybersecurity requirements for US-flagged vessels, along with port/terminal facilities and outer continental shelf facilities. The rule takes … Continue reading LOSS PREVENTION UPDATE: UNITED STATES COAST GUARD – NEW CYBERSECURITY RULE

Our local correspondent in China – Huatai Marine has issued an informative and useful circular notifying the commencement of a special campaign against illegal entry into enclosed spaces onboard ships. … Continue reading CHINA MSA – SPECIAL CAMPAIGN: ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY

The ReCAAP ISC Annual Report 2024 recorded a 6% increase in piracy and armed robbery incidents in Asia compared to 2023, with a total of 107 cases reported (96 actual … Continue reading LOSS PREVENTION UPDATE: ReCAAP ISC ANNUAL REPORT 2024 SUMMARY

As global maritime trade becomes increasingly interconnected, the risks associated with security threats in the industry have become more complex and multifaceted. Recognising this evolving landscape, the Britannia loss prevention … Continue reading LOSS PREVENTION UPDATE: DRUG TRAFFICKING – AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR SHIPPING

Record keeping is a vital part of complying with the ‘International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004’ (BWM Convention), and an area that … Continue reading BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT – NEW STANDARDS FOR BALLAST WATER RECORD BOOK (BWRB) INTRODUCED IN 2025

The Club has been advised by our Brazilian correspondent, Brazmar, that recent developments highlight an alarming trend in drug smuggling operations targeting vessels operating in Brazil, particularly in the North … Continue reading LOSS PREVENTION UPDATE: NORTH/NORTHEAST BRAZIL MARITIME DRUG TRAFFICKING

Digital bunkering services and the issuance of electronic Bunker Delivery Notes (eBDNs) will become the default standard in Singapore starting from 1 April 2025. In a recent announcement by Maritime … Continue reading ELECTRONIC BUNKER DELIVERY NOTES (eBDNs) IN SINGAPORE

The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code amendments were adopted in June 2023 by Resolution MSC.539(107). Whilst the amendments have been available on a voluntary basis since 1 January … Continue reading LOSS PREVENTION: INTERNATIONAL MARITIME SOLID BULK CARGOES (IMSBC) CODE AMENDMENTS 07-23 UPDATE – RESOLUTION MSC.539(107)

Starting 1 January 2025, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will broaden the scope of its at-berth emissions control requirements1 for ocean-going vessels. From this date, emissions control compliance will … Continue reading LOSS PREVENTION UPDATE: EXPANSION OF AT BERTH REQUIREMENTS IN CALIFORNIA

The IMO recently hosted the 109th session of the MSC from 2 to 6 December 2024. During this session, several amendments were adopted, and the text of further amendments and … Continue reading INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO) – MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE (MSC) UPDATE

The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), commonly referred to as the “seafarers’ bill of rights,” establishes the basic working and living standards for seafarers working on ships registered in ratifying countries. … Continue reading AMENDMENTS TO THE MARITIME LABOUR CONVENTION: RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS FOR SEAFARERS

The Alternative Fuels Watch report by Britannia P&I provides an update on alternative fuels in the maritime industry, such as biofuels, LNG, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen. This publication is valuable … Continue reading ALTERNATIVE FUELS UPDATE

Sudden ice accretion can quickly cover a ship’s superstructures, weather decks, and deck machinery, catching crews off guard. This build-up of ice makes hatch covers and machinery unusable until it’s … Continue reading PREPARING FOR ICE ACCRETION ON BOARD SHIPS

The ongoing issue of ship anchor loss not only compromises a vessel’s ability to anchor safely until repairs or replacements are made, but also has significant commercial repercussions. These can … Continue reading UNDERSTANDING RECENT ANCHOR LOSSES – LESSONS LEARNED

We have been advised by Ambrey, a maritime risk management company, that a bulk carrier was struck by a missile off the coast of Romania. Following the missile attack on … Continue reading BULK CARRIER STRUCK BY A MISSILE OFFSHORE ROMANIA

River levels in the Amazon Basin for August have hit a record low compared to historical data. Typically, the driest period in the Amazon Basin occurs between September and November. … Continue reading RECORD LOW RIVER LEVELS IN THE AMAZON BASIN

MPOX, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Caused by the monkeypox virus, MPOX shares similarities with smallpox but … Continue reading MPOX (FORMERLY MONKEYPOX) UPDATE: OVERVIEW, SYMPTOMS AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR SEAFARERS

The Member Authorities of the Tokyo and Paris Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control (PSC) will initiate a joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) focusing on Crew Wages and … Continue reading CONCENTRATED INSPECTION CAMPAIGN ON CREW WAGES AND SEAFARER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS (MLC, 2006)

The IMO recently hosted the 108th session of the MSC from 15th to 24th May 2024. During this session, several amendments were adopted, and reports were received from working groups. … Continue reading INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION- MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE UPDATE

Effective from 1 May 2024, the latest amendment to MARPOL Annex VI, Appendix V “Information to be included in the bunker delivery note”, brings changes to the documentation requirements on … Continue reading LATEST AMENDMENT TO MARPOL ANNEX VI, APPENDIX V 2024 | INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN BUNKER DELIVERY NOTE (BDN)

The Philippines is one of the largest exporters of nickel ore. Concerns have been voiced by various industry bodies regarding the reliability of cargo declarations, certificates of Transportable Moisture Limit … Continue reading NICKEL ORE LOADING PRECAUTIONS DURING THE PHILIPPINES TYPHOON SEASON

In the upcoming months, shipowners and masters are reminded of the anticipated surge in seaborne trade volumes, attributed to the seasonality of Brazilian soybean, wheat and fertiliser. This article aims … Continue reading SEASONAL CARGOES: BRAZILIAN SOYBEAN, WHEAT AND FERTILISER

Shipowners face a number of challenges when operating vessels in areas with geopolitical tensions. Navigating through such regions requires careful planning, risk assessment, and adherence to local and international regulations. … Continue reading OPERATING IN AREAS WITH ONGOING GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS OR CONFLICTS

Brazil’s strategic position in South America, with an extensive coastline and numerous ports, renders it a prime choice for drug trafficking organisations seeking to transport illicit drugs to lucrative markets … Continue reading MARITIME DRUG SMUGGLING & TRAFFICKING IN BRAZIL – IMPLICATIONS FOR SHIP OWNERS AND CREW

The transport of liquids in flexitanks has become a common practice on board container carriers. However, the Club has seen several claims resulting from leaking of flexitanks which are mostly … Continue reading SAFE CARRIAGE OF FLEXITANKS IN CONTAINERS GUIDANCE

In recent years, the maritime industry has witnessed a growing interest in alternative fuel options for vehicles, with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) emerging as a potential choice. These new technologies … Continue reading SAFE CARRIAGE OF LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS FUELLED VEHICLES

The Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention is a cornerstone of maritime safety, setting out essential regulations and standards to ensure the safety of ships and their crews. As … Continue reading SOLAS AMENDMENTS: SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA 2024 AMENDMENTS

Our correspondent in Brazil, Brazmar, has advised that the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply has opened to consultation, via Ordinance No. 532/2022, possible changes to the current official … Continue reading BRAZIL: UPDATE ON SOYBEAN SPECS FOR EXPORT 2023

On 18 December 2022 the European Parliament and Council came to an agreement on the revision of the EU Emission Trading System (EU ETS) extending this to also include shipping … Continue reading PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT TO INCLUDE SHIPPING IN THE EU’S EMISSION TRADING SYSTEM FROM 2024

The United Nations Joint Coordination Centre has issued detailed procedures for the safe export of grain, other foodstuffs and fertilizers; including ammonia, from the three Ukrainian ports covered by the … Continue reading UKRAINE: EXPORT OF GRAIN

Members are reminded that new International Maritime Organisation (IMO) legislation under MARPOL Annex VI is due to become applicable in just one year, with the new regulations requiring various measures … Continue reading ENERGY EFFICIENCY EXISTING SHIP INDEX (EEXI) – NEW LEGISLATION