23 December 2014 TO ALL MEMBERS Dear Sirs The Entry into Force of the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks The Association’s Circular No 5:500 dated 5 November 2014 informed Members that the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (“WRC”) enters into force on 14 April 2015. Pursuant to Article 12 of the WRC: “the registered owner of a ship of 300 gross tonnage and above and flying the flag of a State Party shall be required to maintain insurance or other financial security, such as a guarantee of a bank or similar institution, to cover liability under this Convention in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime, but in all cases not exceeding an amount calculated in accordance with article 6(1)(b) of the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976, as amended”. It is also a requirement to obtain a certificate from a WRC State Party attesting to such insurance. All International Group Clubs have agreed to issue Blue Cards so that Members may apply for a WRC certificate. * Certificates must be obtained from the State in which a ship is registered, providing the State is party to the Convention. Such certificate shall be issued or certified by the appropriate authority of the State of the ship’s registry. Ships registered in countries that are not parties will need to obtain a certificate from a relevant authority in a State Party. Following inquiries by the International Group, it is understood that the four WRC States’ maritime authorities detailed below have, at the date of publication of this Circular, agreed in principle to facilitate the smooth entry into force of the Convention and assist shipowners by issuing certificates to ships flagged in countries that are not party to the Convention, subject to any conditions that the relevant authority may apply. While web links have been provided to the websites of the relevant authorities, only Germany has published specific information about applications for WRC Certificates. Members should therefore be aware that these authorities may not yet have finalised their internal procedures. United Kingdom - The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency will prioritise CLC, Bunker and Athens Convention certificate renewal applications followed by new WRC certificate applications submitted by UK registered vessels; then existing MCA customers and ships calling at UK ports; and then ships flagged in third countries, subject to the MCA’s capacity to process applications. - 2 The Agency has advised that due to expected large volumes of applications there may be delays in processing WRC certificates. Applications should be addressed to: Mr T Cornish Maritime and Coastguard Agency Spring Place 105 Commercial Rd Southampton United Kingdom SO15 1EG Further information on the application process is available at: https://www.gov.uk/certificate-ofproof-of-civil-or-passenger-liability-insurance Germany - BSH (Germany’s certificate issuing authority) has advised the International Group that they will give priority to certificates required by German flagged ships, ships calling at German Ports and ships operated by German companies. In addition they will prioritise CLC, Bunker and Athens Convention renewal certificates. WRC certificate applications can be submitted at any time between the date of this Circular and the Convention’s entry into force date of 14 April. The BSH expect a large number