We have received an update from our Correspondents in China on the status of shipping, ports and infrastructure and how it's being impacted by the outbreak of the Coronavirus. The update can be accessed by following the link below.     With thanks to Huatai in Beijing for providing this update. Should you have any queries in relation to this…

Our correspondents in Dubai have kindly passed us updates from the Maritime Authorities in the UAE and Bahrain following the implementation of the low sulphur regime on 1 January 2020. With thanks to GAC Dubai for this update. Bahrain MARINE NOTICE PMA 03 2019 Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) UAE FTA Circular No 11 issued in 2019 Instructions for MARPOL…

Our local correspondent for the Dominican Republic and Haiti E&M International Consulting have advised that there are ongoing protests in Haiti. In relation to the ports of Cap Haitian and Port-Au-Prince, both remain operational, but delays are expected because not all port employees are able to access the port and cargo is not being moved freely from the port’s premises. Local estimates…

On 4 September the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) issued guidance to the shipping industry on the sanctions regimes applicable to the carriage of Iranian oil and petrochemical products, bunkering of vessels destined for Iran and also an update on vessels that are deemed to be controlled by Iranian interests. The Grace 1 case at…

On 5 August 2019 President Trump issued Executive Order 13884 which further expands the scope of US Sanctions against the regime in Venezuela. This has a direct impact on US Companies and Citizens but assets of companies trading with the Venezuelan government are potentially at risk from sanctions; considerable care is recommended if you are contemplating trading with Venezuelan companies…

Effective 1 May 2019 the High Risk Area (HRA) as defined by the Round Table of international shipping organisations (which includes BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping and others) have reduced the HRA to reflect the changing position regarding piracy in the region. The map below shows an approximate view of the new co-ordinates. The new co-ordinates are: In the Southern…

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Deepa Nathvani to the Transmarine Underwriting team with effect from 4 April 2019. Deepa brings experience from the Hull and Loss of Hire market, having worked in the Lloyds Market for over a decade; Deepa will help the existing team in a market full of exciting opportunities. Contact Deepa

In late January 2019 the US Government strengthened sanctions against Venezuela; this followed disputed elections in the country where the opposition party was thought to have won a majority, but the incumbent party did not relinquish power. The following outlines the position, as we understand it as at 18 February 2019.   The US Position The US has strengthened sanctions…

The Joint War Committee (JWC) of the IUA and the LMA have reviewed the summary of Listed Areas and an amendment has been made effective 14 June 2018.   The Port of Jakarta was deleted effective 14 June 2018, this was the only change.   The full text of the current JWC Listed Areas Summary as at 14 June 2018…

On 8 May 2018 the American President announced that the US would cease its participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that the US, EU and other world powers agreed in 2015 (implemented 2016) that eased Sanctions against Iran in return for Iran stopping its Nuclear Weapons programme. Since the implementation date in January 2016, Transmarine has been…

Our Deputy Class Underwriter, Kim Whalley, has been spending some time in Lloyd’s shadowing members of the Aegis hull team. Aegis provide 100% of the Transmarine security and, as managing agents writing business on their behalf, it is important for both parties to be in sync in terms of risk appetite and underwriting principles.

The British do love to complain about the weather and talk of weather related problems bring us naturally on to the recent hurricanes in the Caribbean and America. Hurricanes occurring in hurricane season cannot be described as extraordinary in terms of timing and location - no matter how extraordinary and devastating the impact may be - but we cannot escape…