As described in our circular of 3 December 2014 (No.14-013), the following alterations to the Rules of the Association (the "Rules") will become effective from 12 noon GMT on 20 February 2015 (the 2015 Policy Year).  Also, there will be some alterations to the Special Clauses.  The amendments are explained below, and extracts of the relevant provisions are attached hereto. 

1. Alterations to the Rules

RULE 6-1(3) (CALLS AND PREMIUMS)

RULE 19-3  (LIABILITIES IN RESPECT OF SEAMEN)

RULE 20-3  (LIABILITIES IN RESPECT OF PASSENGERS)

RULE 25-2  (LIABILITIES IN RESPECT OF POLLUTION)

APPENDIX-Overspill Claims and Calls Rule 1

The purpose of this alteration is to clarify Japanese wordings (i.e. “the Pooling Agreement of the International Group of P&I Clubs”) as used in the Rules. 

Note: This alteration is made only to the Japanese language text and there is no change to the English version. 

RULE 31-1(5) (FINES)

The purpose of this alteration is to ensure consistency with the Japanese wording of the Rules.

Note: This alteration is made only to the English language text and there is no change to the Japanese version.

RULE 35-1(6) (RISKS GENERALLY EXCLUDED)

The purpose of this alteration is to clarify the risks excluded (i.e. salvage operations conducted by an Entered Ship, including wreck removal) in accordance with the Pooling Agreement of the International Group of P&I Clubs.

RULE 35-2(5) and (6) (RISKS GENERALLY EXCLUDED)

The purpose of these alterations is to add new clauses so that the Association can issue Blue Cards in compliance with the Protocol of 2002 to the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 and the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007.

RULE35-2(ii)(a) and 35-3(1)(RISKS GENERALLY EXCLUDED)

The purpose of this alteration is to unify the English wording of the Rules with the Japanese version.

Note: This alteration is made only to the English language text and there is no change to the Japanese version.

2. Alterations to the Special Clauses

SPECIAL CLAUSE FOR CALLS

The purpose of this alteration is to delete the clause as this special clause is not needed on a practical basis.

U.S. VOYAGE DECLARATION CLAUSE

The purpose of this alteration is to delete the clause as the Association decided to reduce the U.S. Oil Pollution Surcharge to nil as from the 2014 Policy Year.

OIL POLLUTION LIABILITY LIMITATION CLAUSE
PASSENGER AND SEAMEN LIABILITY LIMITATION CLAUSE

The purpose of these alterations is to clarify that the limitation amount set out in the clause is in accordance with the Pooling Agreement of the International Group of P&I Clubs.