Loss Prevention Advice
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The ship agents risk facing an increasing number of legal disputes over weekend port charges if unclear operational instructions from owners and charterers continue to expose them to financial risk.
Case study: disagreement over Saturday surcharge
A recent case, there was a disagreement between a shipowner and their local agent after a routine discharge operation extended into a Saturday, triggering a 150% stevedoring surcharge that was outlined in their pro forma disbursement account (PDA). The owner refused to pay the additional stevedore costs for the weekend shift, claiming the agent should have delayed operations until the following Monday to avoid higher rates.
Timeline of vessel operations
The incident began after the vessel reached the port on the Thursday but berthing was delayed until Friday. Cargo discharge began once alongside but was interrupted by an operational issue that extended the schedule into Saturday. Due to the various factors, the owner incurred one Saturday stevedoring surcharge, with the remaining work resuming on Monday.
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Amid the recent surge in pirate activity across the Western Indian Ocean since late October, a possible Pirate Action Group (PAG) incident was reported approximately 565 nautical miles east of Dar es Salaam.
A northbound sailing merchant vessel reported a possible pirate action group (PAG) dhow towing a skiff approximately 565 nm east of Dar es Salaam. No hostile acts were observed, and the vessel proceeded safely to its next port. All traffic in the wider area is advised to exercise heightened caution.
Key points:
- Position/time: Lat:06°46’S, long:049°15’E at 07:30 UTC, approximately 565 nm east of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, far offshore within a known Somali Basin long-range corridor.
- Reporting ship: Large ocean-going merchant vessel.
- Behavior: Dhow assessed loitering while towing a skiff, no weapons displayed, no approach or pursuit, reporting ship-maintained course and speed.
- Risk context: Area associated with organized PAG activity employing mother-craft dhows and skiff operations across the western Indian Ocean.
- Immediate actions: Reporting ship activated BMP MS 2025 measures, traffic in vicinity advised to increase separation, maintain vigilance, and report promptly.
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With the global sulphur content of bunker fuel under MARPOL Annex VI capped at 0.50% m/m, it is important for ships to understand the different types of bunker fuel sampling and how they relate to compliance verification. This article outlines the distinctions between MARPOL-defined sampling methods and independent sampling carried out by shipowners and their contractual counterparties. It offers practical steps that can be taken when independent test results suggest non-compliance with the sulphur regulations.
Full advisory at the following link.
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Below you will find a weekly report dated 12 November 2025, covering the period of 6 to 12 November 2025, where the following incidents were reported:
- 1 maritime security incident in West Africa in the last 7 days
- 3 maritime security incidents in the Indian Ocean/Middle East in the last 7 days.
Full advisory at the following link.
https://britanniapandi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ARC-Weekly-Report-12.11.25.pdf