Risk Bulletins

Bulk liquid cargoes of petroleum, chemicals and vegetable oil are frequently worth far more than the tanker carrying them. If the cargo becomes contaminated, claims can be very large, and the tanker owner must prove the contamination was not the vessel’s fault .... This Risk Bulletin highlights the critical importance of the sampling process - inclusive of the pre-load ‘million dollar’ sample - as a powerful and conclusive ‘shore fault’ defence to contamination claims.  

Members who trade their vessels through the Singapore Straits will know the three letter anacronym ‘OPL’ stands for ‘Outside Port Limits’. What may not be known are the serious risks and penalties which can arise if vessels are ordered to anchor or idle in OPL areas to wait for voyage orders, conduct ship-to-ship (STS) cargo operations or take on stores and make crew changes. This Risk Bulletin discusses the legal risks and practical realities of using the so-called OPL areas for operational purposes with the intention of avoiding inside port limits fees and regulations.

Claims for the alleged short delivery of dry bulk cargoes are unfortunately common.  The cargo receiver’s allegation – often accompanied by a threat of ship arrest – is usually that the cargo weight discharged was less than the declared Bill of Lading (BL) cargo weight, as signed by the master. This Risk Bulletin highlights both the legal defences available to Member’s and the technical defences provided by draft surveys to defeat or minimise unjustifiable shortage claims.

The descriptive term ‘Perishable Cargoes’ can be applied to a wide range of cargoes, including both foodstuffs and even certain manufactured goods... This Risk Bulletin is focused on explaining the term ‘Perishable Cargoes, the pre-shipment survey and cargo care obligations and the potential negation of P&I cargo liability cover if these obligations are not fully complied with.

Fatigue caused by sleep deprivation and/or long hours of arduous work creates a serious hazard in many industries.... This Risk Bulletin is intended to raise awareness of the fatigue hazard challenge confronting masters and crew and provide recommendations to avoid tragedy and loss.

The boarding and disembarkation of a ship’s pilot, often in challenging weather conditions, is a unique and hazardous exercise. The incidence of injury and fatalities during ship to pilot boat transfers is substantial. The cause is often due to pilot ladder and ancillary equipment failure and/or improper rigging by the ship’s crew. This Risk Bulletin looks at the hazards, the regulatory requirements and industry recommendations for making the pilot transfer process a smoother and safer exercise for all concerned.

Previous MM Risk Bulletins on bulk carrier safety focused on the liquefaction dangers of IMSBC Code Group ‘A’ cargoes (e.g., nickel ore) which can cause a vessel to capsize suddenly, with high levels of crew deaths. This Risk Bulletin focuses on other serious bulk carrier hazards.

E-mail payment redirection scams are designed to intercept money transfers to legitimate receiver accounts and divert them into the accounts of criminal scammers...This Risk Bulletin is intended to raise the awareness of MM Members their ship managers and crews of the now global and endemic risk of payment redirection scam theft and the critical need for countermeasure procedures...

As a consequence of the Russia/Ukraine war and the financial sanctions being imposed on Russia, shipping companies, flag states and other players in the maritime industry may see an increase in cyber-attacks aimed at companies from the sanction imposing countries. This Risk Bulletin is focused on the disruptive and costly impacts which these targeted cyber-attacks may have on MM Members and their shore-based and shipboard operations as a consequence of indirect/collateral damage.