On 8 November, Takeo Saito, Senior Specialist, Claims Department I and Satoshi Uchiyama, Team Leader of Team I, Tokyo Underwriting Department I spoke at a seminar on the current state of the P&I insurance market hosted by the insurance broker Japan England Insurance Brokers Limited (JEIB) held in Tokyo. They provided explanations in a panel discussion on risks and countermeasures related to "Russian sanctions" and "Alternate fuels," topics of high interest within the maritime industry.

Regarding Russian sanctions, the Association is committed to staying imformed about the latest changes. In addition to exchanging information with the International Group of P&I Clubs, the Association collaborates with external information providers and law firms specializing in sanctions. The acquired information is promptly disseminated on our website to support swift responses.

The Association complies with all relevant regulations by requesting the submission of necessary documents in advance when Members' vessels call at or pass through Russia. To avoid sanctions risks, the Association conducts appropriate checks on any claims potentially related to sanctions parties.

In the area of alternate fuels, while they are expected to shorten oil spill cleanup time compared to conventional heavy oil, there are still many unknowns. These include the potential health impacts of skin contact with leaked and gasified fuels, as well as the effects of ignition leading to fire, explosion, and property damage.

The Association has experience handling cases where alternate fuels have been transported as cargo. Additionally, the Association collaborates with organizations possessing expertise on these fuels, such as ITOPF (The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited) and the Maritime Disaster Prevention Center (MDPC) to ensure prompt and multifaceted responses in the event of an accident, thereby minimizing damage.

The Association will continue to adapt to evolving risks and support safe operation of your vessels.