P&I Publications

The main content of the present practical checklist has been taken from the annex to this Project Cargo Matters publication. The project cargoes commonly require specific attention at the time of their loading and transportation. The expert knowledge in the field of transportation of subject cargoes is necessary for proper planning and engineering of the safe shipment.

All associated operations shall be very carefully managed and all responsibilities, toolbox talks and risk assessments shall be agreed well in advance. These cargoes would generally require the specialized ships featuring sufficient open deck space and heavy-lift capabilities, plus some other characteristics. The best choices would be heavy-lift or multi-purpose ships. The bulk carriers are not commonly considered a good option since using these vessels has already led to the numerous cargo damage claims. A good teamwork is a pre-requisite for the successful transportation of the project cargoes.

The responsibilities of the parties involved shall be defined and prior agreed. A duly prepared method statement of transportation manual shall also be prepared and agreed. Marine warranty surveyors may also be engaged. The mandatory applicable rules include charter-party requirements, class society rules, Flag state rules, CSS Code and CTU packaging guidelines etc.

Starting from first day of the year 2013, the amendments to the fifth annex to MARPOL Convention mean that the shippers would have some new responsibilities relating to the classification of the cargo affecting the crew's ability to discharge the cargo residues and also wash the water directly into the marine environment. They will have to take into consideration whether or not the cargo they transport and, consequently, the cargo residues would be considered HME, standing for the "harmful to the marine environment".

The present booklet was prepared and released with the ultimate intention of the authors to set out all applicable requirements plus the process and concept of classification of the different cargoes as HME cargo. The Annex V to the MARPOL Convention primarily controls the discharge of the wash waters plus any non-recoverable residues - it is classed as "garbage" and falls under the controls that have been specified in Reg. 4.1.3 & 6.1.2 of the recent MARPOL amendments.

Here are the criteria governing the discharge of the cargo residues that are commonly contained there in the wash water - no cargo residues shall be discharged less than 12 nm from the nearest land/ice shell, and no discharge within the six so-called "Special Areas" specifically defined in the text of the Convention...

The proper preparation of the cargo holds of the vessel for the intended carriage is deservedly considered one of the key elements of the bulk carrier operations. Subject preparation requires very careful and thorough planning followed by the competent execution.

It shall be understood that the lack of due preparation will not only lead to the claims relating to the cargo quality, e.g. its contamination/water ingress or shortage claims, but may also result in the different contractual claims related to the delayed or failed surveys, charter-party disputes and off-hire claims.

The process of preparation of the cargo holds commences well in advance, even before the intended cargo lands on the tank top for the first time and there are numerous factors to be considered in order to ensure that the preparation has been conducted in a correct and efficient manner. Some of the cargoes may require just sweeping out of the cargo hold plus washing, while for the other cargoes such preparation would not be considered sufficient.

It is very important to have a clear understanding of what exactly is required; note that all people on board including crew members and Master shall be aware of all processes involved. To ensure smooth voyage, careful attention shall be paid to the cargo at the time of fixing. ..

The content of this compact yet quite comprehensive and of course very practical publication was specifically designed to provide seamen with the check sheet to be used when preparing their vessels for the forthcoming PSC inspections and reduce the risk of the associated detention. Thousands of the crew members and passengers were either killed or missed from the lost vessels.

Moreover, the number of the fatalities and accidents occurring at the time of the routing lifeboat drills and inspections is constantly rising. That's why it is essential that the crew members of the vessels receive appropriate training in the field of the inspection, maintenance and operation of the equipment and that subject equipment is operationally ready at any time. The specialists of the UK P&I Club have performed a thorough analysis of the available data related to the LSA, including the deficiencies that have been found by the PSC officers.

Their efforts have eventually resulted in this practical re-usable check sheet highlighting the most frequently found deficiencies and listing them in several convenient sections. Subject officers usually commence their surveys from the Master's office. It is therefore critically important that all certification paperwork is updated and valid, including all relevant records and other mandatory documents. The Master shall notify the port authorities about any broken/missing equipment prior to entering the port...

Leadership in Action - 2015 Review. The content of the present formal publication has actually been intended to let the interested readers be in the loop with the major happenings that took place in 2015. The document starts with the introductory article followed by the description of the general financial picture of subject year and statement by the Chairman.

Then there are critically important financial highlights plus the information related to the underwriting discipline. The other parts of the document cover the fleet profile and claims, major shipping industry issues, reinsurance and risk management, investments and capital management, insurance regulation and the governance. The so-called investment portfolio of the Club members produced a healthy five percent return.

The surplus increased the total volume of the free reserves to approximately half-billion US dollars with a further nearly hundred million being held in a form of the hybrid capital. The amount of business is constantly growing and the financial strength of the Club is providing a good basis for the confidence which the shipping market has in the Club. Please note that the underwriting discipline continues to be considered paramount in determination for the due protection of the Club in both long- and medium terms...

The COLREGs are considered the basics upon which the safe navigation of the vessels and their conduct are built. Specifically designed and released to be used on the navigational bridges of the vessels, this publication is expected to provide the necessary guidance and practical advice to the watchkeepers, starting from the cadets and up to the inspecting officers and Masters, on the most important collision avoidance rules.

The content of the volume has also been intended to be used as a basis to discussed during the training sessions and on-board meetings. Twelve collision avoidance rules have been discussed in the pages of this excellent guidebook - they have been specifically selected as these are the rules most commonly misinterpreted and breached. The book is also demonstrating of the readers how the collision avoidance rules are fitting together and also how exactly the proper interpretation and correct application of these rules could be influenced by the huge amount of information that is readily available today from the electronic aids.

The content of the guide concludes with a perfectly selected series of the collision cases and plotting sheets that can be used by the readers for the illustration of the developing situations on watch. Both questions included in the book and the case studies have been designed to serve as a starting point for the discussions on the various important aspects of the ship collision avoidance...

Prepared by the experienced specialists of the LR, i.e. Lloyds Register in conjunction with the experts of INTERTANKO and United Kingdom P&I Club, this publication addresses critically important matters of the carriage of solid bulk cargoes by sea. It is covering the general technical requirements that are applicable for their carriage, explaining three cargo groups as per the IMSBC Code and clearly describing all hazards involved.

Two appendices concluding this book will explain IMSBC Code section-by-section and present the IMO guidance plus regulations relating to solid bulk cargo transportation. The content of the this useful and practical guide is actually expected to provide the required assistance for the shipping industry workers who are willing to understand the key requirements of the above mentioned Code and to become much more confident when managing the risks that are commonly associated with the transportation of the various solid bulk cargoes.

The topics of the booklet outline the major precautions required to be followed to perform the safe loading/discharge and also details the hazards related to each of the cargo types transported. A "quick reference checklist" plus the flow chart have also been included in this title for summarizing the main steps that should be followed.

The present paper was specifically worked out to familiarize the readers with the Loss Prevention Programme of the Club. This risk management programme is combining various effective practical solutions addressing the real life demands s of the Club members plus their professional experience with the research into the broader issues that are directly impacting on the insurance and exposure to claims.

The Club is deals with huge number of claims annually, utilizing the professional experience with knowledge of the claims handlers, lawyers and former seafarers. The insight that has been gained from numerous claims has enabled the Club to develop and subsequently implement a structured approach to the risk analysis, engaging both company managers and crew members of the ships to take part in and prioritize the risk management processes on board their vessels. Subject methodology is aimed to demonstrate how exactly the major hazards may occur and what measures can be taken in order to prevent them.

The development of the data diagrams of the incident causes and their consequences with the crews, management and Club helps is very beneficial. The transparency of such approach will definitely enable the risk management to be prioritized, reducing all associated risks in the tough financial times of today...