International Maritime Organization (IMO) News

Rising Oil Prices Complicate Russian Price Cap Checks for Insurers

Key figures in the insurance industry said rising Russian oil prices are making it harder for them to know if they can lawfully cover Russian cargoes. Since December, buyers of Russian crude oil have only been allowed to access financial …

Ship Insurers Warn of Russian Oil Price Cap Evasion, Risks of Growing ‘Dark Fleet’

A rise in spot prices for Russian crude oil to above the $60 per barrel cap imposed by western powers has made ship insurers even more nervous of running foul of the rules as they are unable to independently track …

UN Maritime Agency Raises Safety Concerns About Shadow Oil Tanker Fleet

A United Nations agency that oversees shipping raised concerns about the shadow fleet of tankers that has emerged to transport oil amid sanctions, calling for more steps to boost safety. States that become aware of ships going dark — or …

Global Shipping Industry Pushes to Rescue Seafarers Trapped in Ukraine

Just under 500 seafarers remain stuck onboard 109 ships at Ukrainian ports – skeleton crews who were left on board to enable their crew mates to be evacuated amid the conflict with Russia, shipping officials said on Friday. Those remaining …

Global Shipping Industry Faces Growing Pressure to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ocean freight costs are likely to remain high in 2022 as investors and regulators scramble to accelerate decarbonization of the shipping industry and companies grapple with green financing, sources say. Shipping, which transports about 90% of world trade and accounts …

Leading Marine Re/Insurers Join Push to Decarbonize Global Shipping

Leading companies in the marine insurance industry have joined an initiative linking their underwriting activities with the cutting of carbon emissions from global shipping as pressure builds on the sector to go fully green. Last month countries including the United …

Large Shipping Losses in 2018 Drop to Lowest Level this Century but New Risks Emerge

Large shipping losses declined by more than 50% in 2018 from the previous year – their lowest level this century, according to Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE’s (AGCS) Safety & Shipping Review 2019. In 2018, 46 large ships were …

Violations of IMO 2020 Emissions Rules for Shipping Could Hit Insurance Cover

Tougher rules on sulfur emissions from ships will come into effect next year in the biggest shake-up for the oil and shipping industries for decades. United Nations shipping agency the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met in London this week for …

UN Shipping Agency Seeks to Clamp Down on Rogue Shipping Companies

The United Nations’ shipping agency is working on tougher measures to clamp down on rogue shipping companies trying to use flag registries fraudulently to conceal their activities, officials said. All commercial ships have to be registered – flagged in a …

Ships Must Meet Emission Rules or Be Deemed ‘Unseaworthy,’ Lose Insurance: IMO

Ships which do not meet cuts to the amount of sulfur they can burn in their engines risk being declared “unseaworthy,” the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said on Thursday. Shippers and refiner are not sure how they will comply with …