Service provider to the Maritime Industry, Shipowners and P&I Clubs since 1850.
News & Info
MAERSK to Support Development of Tunisian Ports
Following a meeting between the Danish Ambassador, Lars Vissing, and the Tunisian Minister of Transports, Karim Harouni, it was recently announced that Denmark, and in particular the container giant Maersk, wishes to assist Tunisia in promoting and improving maritime logistics, infrastructure and carriage.
...more... | 03 Feb 2012 - 15:44:19
New President for Tunisia
Following our previous bulletins on the subject, Budd’s Tunisia advises that the Constituent Assembly recently elected the former human rights activist and opposition leader, Mr Moncet Marzouki, as President of Tunisia.
...more... | 14 Dec 2011 - 16:29:10
Sea & Air Frontiers to be Closed for Gabonese Elections
According to information received from Mr Andre Biyong of Budd’s Gabon office, in view of the forthcoming parliamentary elections, all ports, airports and business will be closed from 06:00 on 17 December to 07:30 on 18 December 2011.
...more... | 14 Dec 2011 - 16:28:25
Bizerte and Gabes Up and Running
Following our news bulletin of 25 November, our Tunis office is pleased to report that the industrial action in the port of Gabes has ceased for the time being.
...more... | 02 Dec 2011 - 10:24:59
Strikes Paralyse Gabes
Our Tunis office alerts us to the disruptions caused at the Port of Gabes by industrial action.
...more... | 25 Nov 2011 - 09:35:46
Conakry Disrupted by Attack on Guinea’s President
A night attack on the private residence of the Guinean President Alpha Conde has paralyzed all commercial activities today in Conakry, including a temporary closure of the port occasioned by the very many check points set up early this morning.
...more... | 25 Nov 2011 - 09:34:23
Work Resumes in Conakry
Work has quietly resumed in the Guinean capital, Conakry, after yesterday's failed assassination attempt on the life of the newly democratically elected president who himself has come out to say he is unhurt, consequently asking the population to resume their normal activities.
...more... | 25 Nov 2011 - 09:33:35
Tunisia Constituent Assembly on the Rails
Following the recent elections in Tunisia in which the moderate Islamist Ennahda party won a 41% majority and the remaining votes went to several progressive modernising left-wing parties, the Constituent Assembly has now met, marking the start of a one year transitional period during which the new constitution will be drafted.
...more... | 25 Nov 2011 - 09:29:29
Perturbations in Gabes and Bizerte
According to information received from Budd’s Tunis office, there is currently intermittent industrial action in the port of Gabes.
...more... | 25 Nov 2011 - 09:28:33
Port of Rouen Among the Best
For the first time in its history, the Port of Rouen was among the finalists at the International Bulk Journal’s 2011 Awards, recognised for the excellence of its bulk cargo logistics.
...more... | 22 Nov 2011 - 10:11:29
Owendo - New Berthing Priorities
Budd Gabon reports that at today’s port meeting, Owendo port authorities announced measures intended to counter the effects of increased maritime traffic in preparation for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on the already-congested port.
...more... | 14 Nov 2011 - 14:07:23
Tunisia: History in the Making
For the first time in its history, Tunisia will be holding free, transparent and democratic elections on Sunday, 23 October 2011.
...more... | 20 Oct 2011 - 16:44:03
Peaceful Demonstration Turns Sour
Conakry`s fragile democracy was put to the test once again on 27 September when the political opponents to President Alpha Conde's government attempted to hold a peaceful demonstration in the run-up to belated parliamentary elections set for December 2011.
...more... | 29 Sep 2011 - 13:51:35
Cameroonian Chamber of Technical Surveyors Calls Members to Order
The President of the Cameroon Chamber of Technical Surveyors has called the country’s H&M surveyors to order, reminding them that technical survey invoices must obligatorily be drawn up in accordance with the Chamber’s official scale of charges which has been registered with the Ministry of Finances.
...more... | 16 Sep 2011 - 08:23:35
Libyan Ports Re-Open
Following their exchanges with Germa Shipping (Libya) via recently re-established e-mail connections, Budd Tunisia reports that all commercial ports in Libya are now functioning normally with the exception of Mera El Brega.
...more... | 09 Sep 2011 - 15:21:21
Senegal Introduces New Taxes on Sea Carriage
Budd's Dakar office reports that two new taxes on maritime traffic became applicable from 15 August 2011 for a transitional period. Both taxes will be collected by the Agence Nationale des Affaires Maritime (National Agency of Maritime Affairs or ANAM).
...more... | 25 Aug 2011 - 14:32:55
Patrick Budd 1927-2011
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Patrick Budd, Chairman of the Budd Group, in Paris on 12 August 2011 at the age of 84.
...more... | 25 Aug 2011 - 14:27:11
Vietnam Considers Maritime Conventions
The Vietnamese Government is considering adherence to the Hague-Visby Rules, Hamburg Rules or Rotterdam Rules, which all pertain to transport of goods by sea. Experts said the Government must examine the details of each convention to assess the requirements for compliance.
...more... | 04 Aug 2011 - 17:14:18
Gabès (Tunisia) Update 22/07/11
Following the article below, the Port of Gabes re-opened on 22/07/11. As industrial action continues to prevent ships from berthing in Gabès, Mr Elias Mami of Budd's Tunis office reports that a meeting is to be held today between port officials and strikers.
...more... | 04 Aug 2011 - 16:22:18
Big Plans for Lomé’s Container Port
The African Bank of Development has just announced its agreement to lend Euros 60 million to the Togolese company, Lomé Container Terminal S.A., for the construction of a new container port in Lomé.
...more... | 19 Jul 2011 - 14:47:30
Mauritanian Courts Issue Warning to Foreign Surveyors
Mr Alioune of Budd’s Nouakchott office (Mauritania) advises us of an important Appeal Court circular stressing that it is strictly illegal for foreign maritime experts, or maritime experts from non-Mauritanian companies, to carry out monitoring or survey work in Mauritania.
...more... | 29 Jun 2011 - 15:27:17
Port of Cabinda Set to Expand
According to Filipe Bonfim of Budd's Luanda (Angola) office, the port of Cabinda has announced that a new jetty could be completed by next September (2011).
...more... | 04 May 2011 - 16:16:46
Ivory Coast Update 03-05-11
Following the lifting of EU sanctions, the Ivory Coast ports of Abidjan and San Pedro are now both functioning normally and both Budd’s offices and those of our surveying branch, Wiggins, have re-opened. Clients are therefore invited to contact them directly in case of need.
...more... | 03 May 2011 - 15:48:59
Vietnam's Largest Container Terminal Opens
The manager of Budd’s Vietnam office, Mr Van Hong Dang, reports that for the first time in its history, Vietnam now has the capacity to receive container ships of up to 160,000 DWT thanks to the opening of the new Cai Mep International Terminal situated approximately 50 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City.
...more... | 14 Apr 2011 - 14:25:52
Ivory Coast Update 08-04-11
As you will be aware from the international press, the situation in Abidjan had become increasingly difficult, dangerous and unpredictable in recent days.
...more... | 08 Apr 2011 - 09:28:39
Port Congestion in Lome (Togo)
As consequence of the present situation in Ivory Coast, the port of Lome is heavily congested but Container Carriers have the priority to berth before any other vessel.
...more... | 01 Apr 2011 - 14:57:17
Conakry’s Container Terminal under New Management
On 9 March 2011, the government of Guinea cancelled the 25-year contract it had signed with Getma International (Necotrans) for management of Conakry’s container terminal, alleging that Getma had failed to fulfil its obligations.
...more... | 01 Apr 2011 - 10:05:01
Zarzis - Facts and Figures
Following our article on alternative ports for Libyan cargo, our Tunis office has provided the following facts and figures about Tunisia's southern most port.
...more... | 10 Mar 2011 - 11:17:23
Le Havre/Gron Waterways Offer Economic and Ecological Alternative to Road Carriage
In early 2010, the opening of the new Gron international multimodal river port (Burgundy, France) gave vessels on the Yonne River direct access to the River Seine route to the port of Gennevilliers in Paris (the gateway to Antwerp and the Northern European ports), to Rouen and, further downstream, to ocean-going vessels in Le Havre.
...more... | 10 Mar 2011 - 11:13:12
Alternative Ports for Libyan Cargo
Our Algiers and Tunis offices have provided the following information on the possibilities and consequences of diverting cargo bound for Libya to Annaba or Zarzis.
...more... | 08 Mar 2011 - 12:26:36
Budd Tunis Reports 01/03/11
As thousands of immigrant workers flee Libya, our Tunis office reports.
...more... | 01 Mar 2011 - 14:29:57
Ivory Coast Ports Remain Open
Mr Michel Bebga, the Director of Budd’s Ivory Coast offices, reports that despite the deepening political crisis, the ports of Abidjan and San Pedro are functioning normally and vessels are continuing to call.
...more... | 23 Feb 2011 - 16:20:48
Tunisia: Curfew Lifted
Budd Tunisia reports that the curfew is now completely over and that the ports are all fully open despite reduced maritime traffic.
...more... | 22 Feb 2011 - 17:03:44
Tunisian Curfew Reduced Further
In the wake of yesterday's announcement of a government re-shuffle intended to purge the cabinet of the majority of ex President Ben Ali's allies, the curfew in Tunisia has been reduced further.
...more... | 28 Jan 2011 - 17:04:56
Tunisia's Will to Return to Full Economic Activity
In a communiqué dated 22 January, the Tunisian "Office de la Marine Marchande" (Ministry of Transport's Merchant Navy Department) confirmed that activity in and around the ports is making a rapid recovery.
...more... | 24 Jan 2011 - 11:27:57
Tunisian Port Update 19/01/11
Confirmation has just come in that all Tunisian ports are now working once again.
...more... | 19 Jan 2011 - 15:47:22
Tunisian Ports Re-Open
Following the example of Sousse, the majority of Tunisian ports have now re-opened.
...more... | 18 Jan 2011 - 10:11:30
Tunisia: Port of Sousse re-opens
Budd Tunisia reported that all Tunisian ports had closed on Saturday, 15 January 2011.
...more... | 17 Jan 2011 - 17:03:35
Ivory Coast Update 17/12/10 (midday)
Despite the gun battles on the streets of Abidjan yesterday (16 December) and plans for further marches today, our local office confirms that the ports of Abidjan and San Pedro are still open at the time of writing.
...more... | 07 Jan 2011 - 15:56:38
Ivory Coast Update 06/12/10 (morning)
As promised in a communiqué on 5 December, the Ivory Coast’s frontiers and ports were re-opened this morning.
...more... | 06 Dec 2010 - 12:14:07
Temporary Shut Down in Ivory Coast
In a country split by the 2002 civil war into a Muslim North controlled by supporters of the presidential candidate, Alassane Ouattara, and a Christian South governed by President Laurent Gbagbo, the Ivory Coast's long-awaited Presidential elections were hailed with a mixture of relief and anxiety.
...more... | 03 Dec 2010 - 11:59:10
Budd Group 2010 Overview
As our company’s 160th Anniversary year draws to a close, we would like to take the opportunity with a brief overview of the Budd Group in 2010.
...more... | 23 Nov 2010 - 15:16:07
Budd Personal Injury Coordination Department
Recognising that personal injury cases generally require immediate and urgent assistance to alleviate suffering and ensure that the best possible treatment is provided at a reasonable cost, the Budd Group has set up a Personal Injury Coordination Department at its head office in Marseille to assist and coordinate medical assistance cases as and when required throughout the Budd Network.
...more... | 01 Oct 2010 - 17:10:59
Ghana Invests in FPSO
Following the discovery of crude oil in the western region, the Ghanaian government ordered a Floating, Storage, Processing and Offloading (FPSO) vessel to be built at an estimated cost of $875 million.
...more... | 23 Aug 2010 - 11:26:18
Uneasy Calm in Conakry
Following our news bulletin earlier this week, the Guinean government has now announced that the general election results will not be available before Friday, 2 July 2010.
...more... | 01 Jul 2010 - 16:42:38
Guinea Awaits General Election Results
Mr Fode Mario Camara of Budd Guinea, reports that the violent incidents which marked the days leading up to the general election appear to have come to an end.
...more... | 28 Jun 2010 - 18:25:21
Abidjan Port Investments on Track
At a recent press conference, the Port of Abidjan announced a qualitative leap in its ongoing modernization programme. Specialist quays, technological innovations and new logistics solutions are among the investments planned for the next three years.
...more... | 16 Feb 2010 - 17:48:11
Marseilles/Fos: Strike Called Off
Having announced strike action from 25/01/10 to 31/01/10, the Marseille/Fos dockworker's union, the CGT, has now announced that their action has been suspended pending the results of discussions with the Port's Management which are to take place this afternoon (25/01/10).
...more... | 25 Jan 2010 - 15:33:24
Work Stoppage in Conakry
Please note that following a Union announcement to which the Guinean Government appears to have tacitly agreed, all work stopped on Monday, 12 October and again today, Tuesday, 13 October 2009 to further mourn those who died in an opposition rally two weeks ago in Conakry.
...more... | 13 Oct 2009 - 12:02:33
The Port of Conakry Remains Open in the Aftermath of Riots
Despite the violent military repression against protest marchers in Guinea on 28 September 2009, and reports that around 90 civilians had been killed, Mr Fodé Mario Camara (Area Manager of Budd's Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau offices) informs us that the port of Conakry is still at work, as indeed are our local staff.
...more... | 30 Sep 2009 - 14:45:41
Dark Days in Guinea Bissau
In the small hours of yesterday morning (Monday, 2 March 2009), President Joao Bernardo Vierra of Guinea Bissau was shot and killed as he tried to flee from his home which was under attack from a group of Army officers.
...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:27:20
Tempory Port Closure in Malabo
17 February 2009 Our colleages in Malabo have just alerted us to the fact that the port has been closed for the day following exchanges of gunfire between bands of outlaws, thought to be from nearby Nigeria or Cameroon, and Police/Military forces.
...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:26:43
Calm returns to Guinea (Conakry)
Budd Conakry reports that the situation has considerably improved in Guinea since the memorial service for the deceased President Lansana Conté last Friday.
...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:26:07
Coup d'Etat in Conakry
Following death of President Lansana Conté who had been ill for some considerable time, in the night of 21 December, the country of Guinea has been in the hands of the Army which is itself divided.
...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:25:43
Port of Conakry Remains Open as Suburbs Riot
...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:25:20
Port of Conakry Goes Back to Work
...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:24:54
Terms of Reference for New Casablanca Port Operators Unclear
The Budd Group’s agent in Morocco would like to draw your attention to the recent statutory and operational changes promulgated by Law No 15-02 with the aim of liberalizing port activities in Casablanca.
...more... | 06 Jul 2009 - 15:22:57
Illegal Disembarkation of Stowaways at Sea in the Cameroon
Douala's Harbour Master in charge of maritime immigration has just informed us that in an ever-increasing number of cases, ship's agents are taking it upon themselves to organise the disembarkation at sea of Cameroonian stowaways (or stowaways who embarked in the Cameroon) without following the official procedures.
...more... | 02 Jul 2009 - 16:47:43
Port of Malabo Expands
Budd Equatorial Guinea reports on the latest improvements in the port of Malabo.
...more... | 18 Feb 2009 - 12:22:21
Budd Awarded ISO Certification
We are very pleased to inform you that Budd’s Marseille HQ is now officially ISO 9001: 2000 certified.
...more... | 09 Dec 2008 - 14:50:43
Strike Closes Port in Conakry
In a context of ever-increasing fuel and food prices, the country of Guinea has been hit by a series of strikes by civil servants.
...more... | 23 Jul 2008 - 15:44:17
Lomé 2008
Budd’s Managers and Agents from France and a total of seventeen African countries (Tunisia, Senegal, Cap Verde, Guinea Bissau, Guinea-Conakry, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Niger, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon & Republic of Congo), were once again reunited at the Budd Group’s third internal seminar in Lomé recently.
...more... | 16 Jun 2008 - 12:26:56
Some Improvement in Situation in Douala
We understand that due to a lull in the violence on the streets of Douala, people are once again venturing out onto the streets to buy basic essentials or go to work We have also received reports that activity in the port is resuming.
...more... | 05 Jun 2008 - 15:05:13
Riots Gain Cameroon’s Capital
Despite the end of the Douala taxi strike and the government’s promise of Wednesday evening to reduce petrol prices by approximately 0.01 Euros, the troubles which initially started in Douala over the weekend have now spread to the country’s capital, Yaoundé.
...more... | 05 Jun 2008 - 15:04:39
Full Speed Ahead in African Ports
An article recently published in the “Jeune Afrique” newspaper highlights the major modernisation and improvement programmes adopted recently by African ports in a bid to increase their share in maritime trade worldwide.
...more... | 28 Mar 2008 - 10:24:49
Fears for Africa as Prices Skyrocket
In a recent article, the magazine « Jeune Afrique » (i.e. «Young Africa »), warns of the serious difficulties facing Africa as a result of the escalating prices of basic essentials such as petrol, cooking oils, rice, flour, palm oil and soap.
...more... | 18 Mar 2008 - 10:37:27
Cameroon Calcuates its Losses Following Recent Troubles
As life returns to normal in Cameroon, the country is counting the financial and human costs of the wave of violence and destruction which spread through the country from 25-29 February 2008.
...more... | 14 Mar 2008 - 15:42:40
L’Angola coordonnera la zone côtière Centre-Sud d`Afrique
...more... | 28 Feb 2008 - 12:39:28
Budd Venezuela Welcomes Japanese Lawyer
At the request of the Japan P&I Club, the latest addition to the Budd Group, Budd Venezuela, welcomed Mr Tetsuro Nakamura to our Caracas office on 23 October 2007.
...more... | 28 Feb 2008 - 12:39:05
Sacking of Minister Causes Disturbances in Conakry
Following national television’s criticism of a speech published on internet supposedly emanating from President Lansana Conté, the Minister of Communication and New Technology, Mr Justin Morel Junior, has been relieved of his functions and replaced by the head of the Agence Guinnéenne de Presse, Mr Issa Condé.
...more... | 28 Feb 2008 - 12:38:26
Warning to Vessels Calling in Dakar
A clamp down by Customs has resulted in a recrudescence in fines levied against vessels calling in Dakar in the last few weeks.
...more... | 28 Feb 2008 - 12:37:29
Douala Taxi Strike Sparks off Rioting
When Douala’s taxi drivers went on strike over diesel price rises, young trouble makers seized the opportunity to take to the streets this weekend. In the ensuing riots, cars, shops and public buildings were attacked and/or torched.
...more... | 27 Feb 2008 - 15:13:59
Abidjan’s Port Authority Gains ISO 9001 Certification
Having been duly declared to conform to the International Ship and Port Facility Code (ISPS Code) on 1 July 2004, the Port of Abidjan (Ivory Coast) recently obtained ISO 2001 certification from AFAQ-AFNOR, the international standards organisation.
...more... | 18 Feb 2008 - 15:34:14
The opportunity was too good to miss
...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 10:05:49
State of Siege Brings Guinea to a Standstill
No end to the general strike declared on 10 January 2007 is in sight and Mr El Conde of Budd Conakry reports that commercial activity in the country of Guinea is now at a complete standstill.
...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 09:58:49
General Strike affects Port of Conakry
Although the Port workers are not themselves on strike, we understand that the port's activities have been perturbed by a transport stoppage which has prevented many people from reaching their places of work and made the circulation of trucks difficult.
...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 09:58:16
Corruption Allegations Cause General Strike in Guinea
For the third time in twelve months, Guinea is once again in the throes of a general strike which has resulted in the closure of most shops and offices and brought public transport to a standstill.
...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 09:57:39
Dire Plight of Senegal's Boat People
Experts from over 50 European and African countries have just met in Dakar (Senegal) to discuss a common plan to fight clandestine immigration by simultaneously introducing stronger penalties and encouraging young Africans to stay in their own countries.
...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 09:56:59
News Flash from Budd Vietnam
...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 09:56:14
Guinea Goes Back to Work
The two month general strike in Guinea finally came to an end at the end of February (2007) when the President agreed to lift the state of siege and appoint a new Prime Minister, Mr Lansana Kouyaté.
...more... | 30 Oct 2007 - 09:55:32
Elections in Benin
Record number of candidates vie for presidency
...more... | 29 Oct 2007 - 11:02:08
Call for General Strike in Guinea
Disruptions likely in the days to come.
...more... | 29 Oct 2007 - 11:01:01
Social Strife Worsens in Guinea
Angry Union announces tougher action.
...more... | 29 Oct 2007 - 11:00:32
Lull in Abidjan Riots
...more... | 29 Oct 2007 - 10:59:30
2 stowaways dead in Belgium
Brussels - Two illegal stowaways were found dead in the water on Wednesday in the Belgian port of Antwerp, after arriving by boat from Nigeria, prosecutors said.
...more... | 29 Oct 2007 - 10:58:59
Guinea: Curfew Shortened but Strike Still On
We understand that the special powers decreed by the Guinean government have now been relaxed slightly. In particular, the curfew now applies from 18:00 to 06:00 instead of most of the day and night as previously.
...more... | 29 Oct 2007 - 10:58:29
Equatorial Guinea Port Rules Extended
In the last month, the rules and regulations in the Ports of Malabo and Bata first posted on our website in March 2007 have been modified. As indicated below, it is now forbidden to disembark stowaways in both ports. In addition to this, once vessels have arrived in port, they must comunícate with Port Control and Agents via radio channel 16. In Bata, a photo of each crew member requiring a shore pass must be provided.
...more... | 15 Oct 2007 - 10:42:51
L'industrie chinoise fait exploser les prix du transport maritime mondial
LONDRES (AFP) — Les frets maritimes pour le transport de marchandises sèches alignent les records depuis plusieurs semaines, la flotte mondiale ne suffisant pas à absorber un trafic qui a connu une forte expansion avec l'industrialisation chinoise.
...more... | 10 Sep 2007 - 10:09:10
Major Changes Ahead for Dakar Container Terminal
Budd Senegal reports on Dakar Port Authority's plans for the future.
...more... | 18 Jun 2007 - 14:28:17
Gabon's Ports
Port infrastructure and activities described by our local representative, Mr Andre Biyong.
...more... | 28 May 2007 - 16:26:29
Port Regulations in Malabo
In view of the heavy fines inflicted on some vessels in the port of Malabo recently, Budd’s Equatorial Guinea office has provided the following summary of the official rules and regulations:
...more... | 20 Mar 2007 - 16:25:00
The World's Most Expensive Towns are... in Africa
The French press has recently published a league table of the world's most expensive towns produced by ECA International. Contrary to common belief, it shows that the cost of living is often considerably higher in the poorer countries than it is in the wealthier ones.
...more... | 19 Mar 2007 - 16:28:02
International Seminar on Tanker Safety
A report from Danyun Wang in Shanghai
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:43:08
Dubious Dealings in Dakar
A warning to shipowners calling in Dakar.
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:42:42
Cholera a Conakry
GUINEE CONAKRY : AU MOINS 85 DECES DUS AU CHOLERA ET PLUS DE 2400 CAS DEPUIS JUIN
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:42:23
Prix du cacao en Cote d'Ivoire
Cacao: prix d'achat aux producteurs fixé à 400 FCFA le kilo.
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:42:06
Cholera Epidemic in Senegal
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:41:47
Customs Fines in Togo & Benin
Customs fines are imposed by Law on cargos discharged that do not comply with the manifest. Fines are imposed on both shortlanded and overlanded cargos.
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:41:32
Security in the Port Autonome de Conakry
For quite some time now, the Port Autonome de Conakry has been holding weekly meetings with representatives of all those involved in port operations with a view to strengthening and/or creating a secure environment both for cargo operations and more generally. This includes maximizing efforts to drastically reduce stowaway incidents
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:41:08
New Budd Office in Tahiti
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:40:53
BUDD S.A. Joins the Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris
We are pleased to inform that BUDD S.A. has been accepted as one of the 16 company members by the Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris as from June 2005.
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:40:31
French Case Law on Maritime Pollution
French statute law being vague and general on maritime pollution (except when it comes to calculating the fines imposed on ship-owners, which have been significantly increased by recent laws, including the law of 09/03/04), judges have considerable leeway regarding the condemnation of owners. Two quite recent decisions (Brest Criminal Court, 15 June 2004, and Marseilles Criminal Court, 6 September 2004, and Marseilles Criminal Court, 6 September 2004 - DMF n°657, March 2005) reveal the judicial trend: severity.
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:40:20
Nigeria Introduces Cabotage Law
The Government of Nigeria finally gave in to the pressure from the local shipping community and related interest groups by introducing a law to restrict the participation of foreign shipowning interests in coastal trade.
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:40:06
Nigerian Ports for Lease
The Nigeria Ports Authority, N.P.A, is reportedly experimenting on the Landlord Model of Port Management and Control. The Pilot stage is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2004 and is said to be fashioned after the system in operation in the port of Antwerp, Belgium.
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:39:49
Government of Nigeria Takes Steps to Curb Offshore Insurance
The Insurance Act 2003 has increased the paid up capital requirements for providers of general insurance business, including Marine & Aviation, and Oil & Gas. To provide cover for insurable interests in these industries, the insurance company will be expected to have a minimum paid up capital of approximately USD 150 million as well as being registered as a Limited Liability Company in Nigeria.
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:39:28
Jurisdiction of the French Commercial Courts
According to Article 14 of the Civil Code, "a foreigner, even if he is not a resident in France, can be sued before the French Courts for the execution of obligations which he has contracted in France with a French citizen."
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:39:10
Summary of a Dispatch from Budd Togo
When the death of President Eyadéma Gnassingbe was announced on 5 February 2005, the army nominated his son, Faure Ezzozimma Gnassingbe, in his stead and the country's borders were closed from 5 February until his investiture on the morning of 7 February 2005.
...more... | 26 Jan 2007 - 17:38:47
Protecting Agents: A Necessity in Conakry?
Budd Guinea draws the attention of shipowners and their P&I Clubs to the very particular relationships between key players in the port of Conakry which are detrimental to the interests of shipowners.
...more... | 08 Aug 2006 - 12:43:37
Tougher Enforcement of Cameroon Port State Controls
Warning of potential risks for P&I Clubs and their Members
...more... | 26 Jan 2006 - 11:29:09
