3rd August 2024 – 9th August 2024
LOCAL NEWS
No news reported.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. Yemen's Houthis claim first attack on shipping lanes in two weeks
On Sunday, 4th August 2024, Yemen's Houthi movement stated that it targeted a Liberia-flagged container vessel in the Gulf of Aden, claiming its first attack on shipping lanes since Israel carried out a retaliatory airstrike in Hodeidah port on the 20th July 2024.
British maritime agency UKMTO and British security firm Ambrey said on Saturday, 3rd August 2024, that the Greek – owned vessel was targeted by a missile 125 nautical miles east of Yemen's port of Aden.
Furthermore, it is reported that on Thursday, 8th August 2024, another Greek - owned vessel faced a 24-hour onslaught as Houthis target ship with grenades, missiles and drones. These attacks included Houthis first known use of a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).
The attacks have drawn U.S. and British retaliatory strikes and disrupted global trade as ship owners reroute vessels away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal to sail the longer route around the southern tip of Africa.
Related Articles:
Container 09/08 - Houthis strike feeder boxship and tanker
Attachment 1:Tradewinds 09/08 - Greek tanker faces 24-hour onslaught as Houthis target ship with grenades, missiles and drones
Euronews 05/08 - Houthi rebels hit container ship with missile, resuming attacks after two weeks
Reuters 04/08 - Yemen's Houthis claim first attack on shipping lanes in two weeks
Al Jazeera 04/08 - Yemen’s Houthis claim first attack on container ship in two weeks
2. MLC Amendments to enter into force in late December 2024
The 2022 Amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) will enter into force on 23 December 2024. Some of these amendments require actions by the Member States, while others must be implemented by MLC Shipowners.
Shipowners are advised to review and update their procedures to comply with the following standards:
- Standard A3.1 and Guideline B3.1.11: Make sure that recreational facilities on board include social connectivity, adapted to the special needs of seafarers, including reasonable access to ship-to-shore telephone communications, where available, and internet access. Any charges for the use of these services being reasonable in amount.
- Standard A3.2: Provide food and drinking water free of charge and make sure that meals provided are nutritious, balanced, of sufficient quantity and quality. Food is to be prepared in hygienic conditions and with regard to the religious and cultural practices of the seafarers on board.
- Standard A4.3: Make sure that all seafarers are provided with appropriately sized personal protective equipment as a means to prevent occupational accidents, injuries and diseases on board.
- Appendix A2-1 & Appendix A4-1: The certificate(s) or other documentary evidence of financial security required under Standard A2.5.2 and A4.2.1 may now include the name of the registered owner of the ship instead of, and if different to, the name of the shipowner.
Related Articles:
Safety4Sea 05/08 - MLC Amendments to enter into force in late December 2024
Lloyd's Registry 02/08 - 2022 MLC Amendments to take effect from December 2024
3. Publication of Implementing Acts on FuelEU Maritime Monitoring Plans and Verification Activities
On the 29th July 2024, the Implementing Acts on the FuelEU Maritime Monitoring Plans and Verification Activities have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The Implementing Act on the Monitoring Plans (COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2024/2031) establishes the specifications and reporting obligations to ensure uniform interpretation of companies’ monitoring and reporting under FuelEU Maritime.
Regarding the Implementing Act on Verification Activities for FuelEU Maritime (COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2024/2027 of 26 July 2024), it specifies standard procedures to be followed by verifiers operating under FuelEU Maritime.
On a related note, according to ESCA, DG MOVE advised that the FuelEU Maritime Regulation does not include any penalties or other consequences for Monitoring Plans submitted after 31 August. Therefore, the Commission will not take any measures in the event of delayed submissions. We are currently following up with DG MOVE on some additional questions that have been raised to clarify further, and we will get back to you in due course.
According to ECSA Circular, “there is no new official deadline or end date for the submission of monitoring plans. The Commission believes it is in the interest of companies to submit these at the earliest opportunity when they are able to do so. Companies/ ships need to do their monitoring from January 2024 based on their own “monitoring plan” so establishing these before January would be highly advisable to ensure that verifiers will find their FuelEU Maritime reports covering 2025 in order.
Regarding verifier accreditation, the delegated act for accreditation will be published only in October/November. Due to this delay, the following temporary operational solution will apply: verifiers that hold an existing MRV/ETS accreditation and have applied for FuelEU accreditation will be permitted to verify monitoring plans. The names of these verifiers will appear in the drop-down menu in the FuelEU database, allowing companies submitting monitoring plans to select them as verifiers”.
Related Articles:
EUR - Lex Europa 29/07 - /COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2024/2031
Eur Lex Europa 29/07 - COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2024/2027
Attachment 2:ECSA - Update on the submission of the FuelEU Maritime Monitoring Plans
4. EU sanctions a further 28 individuals for involvement in internal repression in Belarus
On Monday, 5th August 2024, The Council of the European Union decided to impose restrictive measures against a further 28 individuals for their role in the ongoing internal repression and human rights violations in Belarus.
Restrictive measures have been imposed on two deputy heads of the Main Department for Combating Organised Crime and Corruption of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The list also includes several members of the judiciary, namely prosecutors and a number of judges who have handed down politically motivated sentences, including against citizens who protested against the presidential elections of 2020 or who spoke out against the Lukashenka regime. Restrictive measures have also been imposed on the heads of various penitentiary institutions.
As a result of the Council’s decision, the assets of the Sanctioned Persons are frozen and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing them with funds. Individuals are also subject to a travel ban preventing them from entering or transiting through EU territory.
Related Articles:
5. US TREASURY REPORT
The US Treasury Report for all actions reported is hereby attached.
Related Article:
Attachment 3: US Treasury Report for week 03/08/2024– 09/08/2024
6. PIRACY REPORT
The Piracy Report for all actions reported is hereby attached.
Related Article:
Attachment 4: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report, for the period between 10/07/2024 – 07/08/2024
Nothing important to report from Local News, the House of Representatives, IMO and ILO.