24 maritime news articles about Gard
Since its launch in 2000, SHIP 2000 has become a widely used standard form shipbuilding contract, both in the Nordics and beyond. Over the past 25 years, however, the shipping industry has changed significantly, creating a clear need for an updated contractual framework.
Selling an oil tanker in today’s sanctions landscape is not as simple as signing a contract. Under EU rules, sellers must notify authorities – and in some cases get prior approval – to avoid liability if a vessel later ends up transporting sanctioned Russian oil.
The US and China have introduced reciprocal port fees targeting vessels linked to each other’s countries, marking a novel use of port fees as geopolitical tools akin to tariffs. The fees are based on vessel ownership, operation, flag, and place of build, but the regulations contain ambiguities, especially around defin
With new bulletins and modifications announced in early October, US agencies have now clarified operators’ responsibilities, fee calculations, and limited exemptions under the new Section 301 vessel fee regime.
From historic oil spills to the growing problem of plastic nurdles, the story of marine pollution shows both progress and gaps. On UN World Maritime Day, we take a closer look at the successes, the setbacks and some of the lessons learned along the way.
Transiting narrow waterways is never routine. Subtle hydrodynamic forces like bank effect, squat, and ship interaction, can quickly turn a controlled passage into a dangerous situation.
“What women want at sea isn’t fanfare – it’s fairness,” says Lisa Holum, Managing Director of OSM Thome in Singapore. In this interview she shares practical ways to make life onboard safer and more inclusive for all.
The seasonal risk of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Australia and New Zealand is now underway. Vessel operators must ensure that cargo shipped from designated target risk countries fully complies with the relevant biosecurity treatment and certification requirements.
In an increasingly connected world, maritime navigation has become heavily reliant on the Global Positioning System (GPS). This omnipresent technology provides pinpoint accuracy for vessels.
In response to the recent armed attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden on ships manned by Filipino seafarers, The Philippines Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) issued Advisory No. 21 dated 10 July 2025 addressed to all licensed manning agencies (LMAs) and their accredited foreign principals/shipowners.
On 1 May 2025 submission of a Biosecurity Pre-Arrival Report (PAR) prior to arrival in New Zealand became mandatory. Certain vessels arriving in the country may also be required to go through a biofouling assessment, the failure of which can lead to disputes between owners and charterers.
Cashew Nut Shell Liquid is being considered as an alternative source of biofuel. These compounds are already being detected in conventional marine fuels like ULSFO, VLSFO, and HSFO and Gard has handled claims where the presence of these compounds in conventional fuels has resulted in operational problems or machinery
Seafarers regularly perform tasks requiring constant situational awareness. This is crucial for both the vessel and crew safety.
The revised IMO Biofouling Guidelines came into force in 2023 and provide updated guidance on how to prevent the spread of marine invasive species. Here are the key recommendations.
Port State inspectors compare the Bilge Alarm data to the entries in the Oil Record Book and if that data is unavailable, inspectors may find the vessel deficient. We share a lesson learned to avoid deficiencies and consequent delay.
Open manholes and displaced gratings pose considerable hazards to crew on offshore installations as evidenced by two recent incidents reported by the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
Most voyage charterparties make the commencement of laytime conditional on the tender of a valid notice of readiness. If the notice is invalid, then in the absence of a waiver by charterers laytime will not commence at all, even if the charterers knew or ought to have known that the vessel was in all respects ready.
Fatigue or drinking alcohol – which is more dangerous at sea? The answer is they are both equally dangerous.
Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is now classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern although the health risk to seafarers remains low.
Whilst investigating a cyber incident onboard a ship the USCG found that the security risk presented by the shipboard network was well known among the crew before the incident.
US Supreme Court decides that an injured seaman may not recover punitive damages, i. e.
Seafarers carrying the European Health Insurance Card benefit from access to medical treatment free of charge or at reduced cost in all EU/EEA countries.
Nick Platt is retiring after more than 40 years with Gard. We had the opportunity to discuss his career in claims and some lessons he learned on the way.
**Updated 14 June 2019** While the cause of the incidents that took place in the Gulf of Oman on 13 June 2019 has not been confirmed, all vessels, and tankers in particular, are advised to operate with a heightened level of security in the Gulf of Oman/Strait of Hormuz/Persian…