Spotlight on the Sanctions Team

Readers will be aware that the intensification in the use of sanctions by States and other supra-national bodies over recent years has had a number of consequences for insurers.As a result, the London P&I Club established our Sanctions Team, which includes Ian Barr,Konrad Heene, Janet Ching,Julia Kotsoni, Ed Waite and Simon Leslie. Simon comments on developments in the team’s work with Members in this important area:

 

“The volume and complexity of inquiries and other sanctions-related issues we handle have certainly been on the increase. An evolving landscape and the trade restrictions involving countries such as Crimea,Cuba, Sudan and Syria as well as either re-imposed or increased sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Venezuela mean that we are regularly engaging with Members on a range of related issues.”

 

Proactive

“The team’s workload is extremely varied. Apart from differences driven by the range of regimes we look at,different Members have individual needs. In some cases, we support Members’ pre-fixture due diligence with guidance on the relevant sanctions framework, in others we highlight the relevant sections of the Club’s website which is regularly updated. There are also claims issues to be dealt with from time to time where sanctions measures have an impact on our ability to assist.

 

“The Sanctions Team also has an important role to play in the Club’s own due diligence arrangements.We take a proactive approach in monitoring trades and activities with a potential sanctions dimension. Team members, Anthony Cage and Afroditi Karava, are involved in reviewing indications of unlawful ship-to-ship transfers, such as in the East China Sea, as part of the additional measures taken to ensure owners are aware of the risks associated with operations in the region.“The work of our Sanctions Team reflects the serious consequences for owners arising from breaches of the international sanctions regimes.Extreme caution is therefore required, and Members are reminded of the importance of full due diligence to ensure that they do not unwittingly enter into prohibited activities.”

 

Cheyenne

Konrad Heene and Reine Gomis from the Club visited Member’s ship Cheyenne in Rotterdam while on their business travels during March. The ship is a VLGC belonging to Dorian LPG.

 

Marine Data

Paul Amos was a panellist at the Marine Data Technologies Seminar jointly arranged by Solis Marine Consultants and Reed Smith LLP.May’s event at Reed Smith’s London offices discussed various technologies and the practical applications for claims and loss prevention. The panel also featured Richard Gunn of Reed Smith, plus Mike Harrison and Duncan Campbell from Solis Marine Consultants.

 

Golden Jubilee

The Club’s Kolkata correspondent,P&I Services Pvt Ltd, announced the start of its Golden Jubilee Year on 1st May with a dinner and drinks reception in London.

 

Wind farms and cargo claims

Frank He presented the topic of specialist operations and extended cover for wind farm installation and maintenance vessels at the 2019 Asian Offshore Wind Power Industry Development Forum in Shanghai in

April.

 

The following month, he gave a presentation in Qingdao on cargo claims under charterparties and the Inter-Club Agreement at the 2nd Marine Insurance and Loss Prevention Forum held by Member, Seacon, and T&Z Insurance Brokers in May.

 

Shipping disputes

Simon Leslie was a panel member at an event called Shipping Disputes:London, à la carte to discuss different forms of dispute resolution. The event was held at law firm, HFW,for London International Disputes Week in May. Also on the panel were Julia Dias QC, Bruce Harris, Simon Kverndal QC, Stephen Hoffmeyer QC,and Andrew Taylor of Reed Smith.

 

Singapore

The Club was pleased to be a sponsor of the 3rd Asian Marine Casualty Forum in Singapore in April at the Marine Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. Ian Barr, Frank He, Katie Lilley and Victoria Papageorgiou from the Club attended, with Ian Barr presenting a case study relating to wreck removal and the environmental damage claims. The forum topic this year was on Marine Casualties in the 21st century and a range of casualty-related issues was covered.

 

The well-attended forum forms an important part of Singapore Maritime Week which the London Club was pleased to be a part of.

 

Istanbul

The Club held a reception for Members, brokers and other friends at the Adile Sultan Palace Hotel, by the Bosporus in Istanbul in June.

 

Greek office

As part of the series of seminars held at our Greek office’s auditorium, friends from the local shipping community attended a recent presentation by Dimitris Exarchou of HFW on bunker issues.

 

Source:The London P&I Club

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