Industry comes together on places of refuge

Shipowners, salvors and insurers – through their respective trade associations – have jointly called for the prompt and proper implementation of international measures to provide a place of refuge for stricken vessels, following a series of incidents where casualty vessels have been delayed in accessing a safe harbour

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has noted “with dismay” the refusal by some coastal states to make places of refuge available, thereby risking lives and the environment even after the high profile cases of the Stolt Valor and the MSC Flaminiain 2012. The plight of the Maritime Maisie presently off the coast of Japan has brought this back into sharp focus. The 44,000 dwt chemical tanker is being held at sea by six tugs after a collision and fire on 29 December 2013. The cargo fire has now been extinguished through the efforts of the salvors in the face of difficult conditions at sea.