1.- BIMCO: NEW REGIME FOR SHIP-TO-SHIP TRANSFERS

A new regime for ship-to-ship transfers has been launched by BIMCO. Aimed at dry bulk trades, the effect of using this new clause is twofold: on the one hand, to extend the rights of the charterers to carry out cargo operations at a place other than the berth originally contemplated; on the other, to get an indemnity from the charterers for any liabilities, losses or costs due to the operators.

1.- EU COURT RULING: AMENDMENT OF SPANISH STOWAGE

The EU Court ruled last December 11th, 2014, that the Spanish regulations on stowage (Royal Legislative Decree No. 2 / 2011, 5 September, which approves the Revised Text of the Law of the State Ports and the Merchant Marine) are incompatible with the provisions of article 49 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

1.- DANISH MARITIME AUTHORITY: NEW SHIP SURVEY

Starting January 1st, the Danish Maritime Authority is surveying all Danish passenger ships in a new way. This new survey means that Renewal Surveys, MLC Surveys. ISM Audits and, in some cases, ISPS Surveys are combined into one survey.

1.- GERMAN PORTS: 300M TONS IN 20 YEARS

The German ports have doubled the amount of cargo they handle over the past twenty years to 300 million tons. The two container ports of Bremen (261% up) and Hamburg (83% up), are largely responsible for this growth. Both of them account for 63% of Germany's total shipping trade.