Bunker quality disputes are not uncommon. The parties often agree to jointly test a sample to determine if the fuel supplied was on-specification or not, and the result is binding on the parties. Even in the absence of an agreement, bunker samples will be relevant evidence that may help to resolve a dispute one way or another. The question then arises: which samples will be used for testing – the one taken on the bunker barge or the one from the receiving ship’s manifold?
The Panama Canal revealed plans to decarbonize its operations, with the aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The plan includes electric vehicles and use of alternative fuels, among others.
At the beginning of January 2021, RightShip and INTERCARGO launched DryBMS which is a new quality standard for the dry bulk sector. The standard will be governed by a new NGO to be established later this year and will support the improvement of safety in the dry bulk segment.
The function for collecting and storing deficiency photos taken during PSC inspections in the APCIS has been implemented since 2009. For encouraging and promoting PSC officers to submitting deficiency photos, a prize of deficiency photo of the year has been established to award the PSC officer who took the best photo of deficiency in the year.
Deficiency photo of the years are also published on the Tokyo MOU website.