Loss Prevention Advice
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From 8-14 Mar 22, no incident of piracy and armed robbery against ship in Asia was reported. However, ships to continue to exercise enhanced vigilance.
During this period, one incident outside Asia was reported to Focal Point (Japan). The incident took place on 12 March to a RORO car carrier while anchored at Callao Anchorage, Peru.
What is more, in February 2022, nine incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia. No piracy incident on high seas was reported. In addition, the situation in the Singapore Strait (SS) continues to be an area of concern.
Key points
- 9 incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia;
- 8 of the 9 incidents occurred in the SS;
- No report of abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah.
Abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah
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The IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) has finalized prohibition of perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid (PFOS) from fire-fighting systems on board ships.
This prohibition will protect the crew against exposure to dangerous substances that are used in fire-fighting systems and will minimize the negative consequences on the environment.
The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) sub-committee on ship systems and equipment (SSE) met for the 8th session from 28 February to 4 March. Amongst other decisions, the sub-committee finalised prohibition of perfluoro-octane sulphonic acid (PFOS) to be used or stored on board as part of ships’ fire-fighting systems.
It is important to recall that the use of this substance ashore has already been heavily restricted by the Stockholm convention.
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A Lebanese cargo vessel sank at Alexandria Anchorage, Egypt, on March 11. Egyptian authorities, in collaboration with the Alexandria Port authorities, rescued the crew members.
AYLA was sailing to the port of Alexandria from Lebanon and sank after leaning on one of its sides.
The vessel had fallen on its side owing to the force of the winds that hit the Mediterranean region from Friday. Such strong wind continued and because of that, the ports of Alexandria and Dekheila had been closed.
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Insurance market has widened the area of waters around the Black Sea and Sea of Azov that it deems high risk, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine intensifies and perils to merchant shipping grow.
Marine insurers said in advisory dated March 7 that the high-risk area had been widened to waters close to Romania (a NATO member) and Georgia after initially adding Russian and Ukrainian waters in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov in February.
The new high-risk areas also extended to various inland waters and sections of the high seas, underscoring the increasing dangers to sailings through the whole region.
“There is clearly a growing nervousness around the region in the insurance market, especially in relation to the Black Sea,” said Marcus Baker at insurance broker and risk adviser Marsh. “Any future amendments to these areas will very much depend upon a further escalation of activity in the region.”
Guidance from the insurance industry’s Joint War Committee (JWC) is watched closely and influences underwriters’ considerations over insurance premiums.
The JWC in a market advisory pointed to three ships that had been hit around the Ukrainian port of Odessa adding that the situation “is dynamic and being closely monitored.”
“The listed areas will be re-adjusted if the JWC believe it appropriate.”
The JWC normally meets every quarter to review areas it considers high risk for merchant vessels and prone to war, piracy, terrorism and related perils. It had previously met in February before Russia’s invasion.
Niels Rasmussen, chief shipping analyst at trade association BIMCO, said there was a higher risk of Black Sea export disruption owing to shipping companies’ reluctance to service the area and because of increasing freight costs.
“Of particular concern to global supply is the export of wheat and maize, which is mainly loaded in the Black Sea (region).”