WHY IS THIS APPROVAL IMPORTANT?
Over the year’s shipwrecks abandoned in the coastal waters of Japan have increasingly become a problem. To address this, the Japanese government amended the Law on Liability for Oil Pollution Damage in April 2004, making it obligatory for most of ocean-going vessels to obtain P&I insurance.
For this reason, effective March 1, 2005, all ocean-going vessels over 100 GT are not allowed to enter or leave any Japanese ports without P&I insurance and must carry a valid P&I certificate of insurance on board and must report to the appropriate District Transport Bureau prior to calling at port.
The P&I insurance must be provided by insurers approved by MLIT and the P&I insurance should as a minimum cover damages associated with bunker oil pollution and wreck removal. MLIT also sets requirements in respect of the maximum amount insured/limit of liability provided by the P&I insurance.
THERE ARE NON-DESIGNATED INSURERS AND DESIGNATED INSURERS APPROVED BY MLIT.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
EF Marine through its carrier Swiss Re International SE is approved as designated insurer.
When insured with a non-designated insurer an owner or operator of a vessel calling Japanese waters must apply for a separate approval from the District Transport Bureau by evidencing that they are properly insured for P&I by an approved non-designated insurer. MLIT will then provide a separate certificate of approval which is valid for 12 months.
When insured with a designated insurer there is no need to separately apply to MLIT for a MLIT certificate. The Certificate of Insurance as issued by the approved designated insurer suffices. The
benefit therefore is that there is no separate procedure required and there are no additional costs involved.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO WHEN I ENCOUNTER ISSUES WITH ONE OF THE DISTRICT TRANSPORT
BUREAU’S?
In the unlikely situation that you are encountering issues with a local Japanese District Transport Bureau, you can contact our readily available 24/7 emergency service at +65 62 38 75 59, or you can
contact our local representative:
L&J Law Office,
LPC 5th Floor Bancho House
29-1, Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0082, Japan
TEL: +81-3-3238-6799
FAX: +81-3-3238-6798 E-mail: office@shiplaw.jp
Over the year’s shipwrecks abandoned in the coastal waters of Japan have increasingly become a problem. To address this, the Japanese government amended the Law on Liability for Oil Pollution Damage in April 2004, making it obligatory for most of ocean-going vessels to obtain P&I insurance.
QUESTIONS?
Should you have any questions following this information, please do not
hesitate to contact us.
Our contact details can be found here.
ABOUT EF MARINE
EF Marine provides Fixed Premium P&I solutions to Shipowners, Charterers and MultiModal operators. EF Marine have a global client base and offices in Singapore and Rotterdam. EF Marine provide ‘AA-‘ rated security from Swiss Re with limits up to USD 500m. Through our partnership with Swiss Re we provide our clients with first class security combined with EF Marine’s extensive knowledge of the P&I market.