News

Yesterday, there were fears that tensions would be exacerbated in the Ivory Coast today as the Opposition party has called for all citizens to stay at home in protest at what they consider to be the outgoing president’s constitutionally questionable third bid for election.

The Kaloum district in Conakry (Guinea), where the port, the presidential palace and parliament are situated, is under tight security due to the imminent Presidential elections.

Budd’s Staff and surveyors have been unable to access the port from this morning (16 October 2020).

Vung Tau Port holds the record for ship arrests in Vietnam.

BUDD’s Channel and Atlantic team of experienced, dedicated P&I claims handlers with considerable legal and technical expertise, are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round, to attend to incidents promptly and proactively. Their excellent relationships and experience with local authorities, port officials, terminals and receivers are key in helping to expedite the handling of cases to reduce exposure and bring about the timely and equitable settlement of claims.

Since January 2020, Benin’s Navy has been providing armed guards to vessels calling in Cotonou free of charge.

Following an interministerial decree published on 13 July 2020 (see translation into English here), this is set to change.

Following a conflict with the port of Bejaia’s President and General Manager, port workers started an indefinite strike last week.

For the last 18 months or so, vessels calling in Dakar have been confronted more and more frequently with Customs fines. The situation has become progressively more difficult as the grounds on which fines are levied have become more and more diverse, and the amount of the fines themselves have reached astronomical levels.

On 10 April, the Government of Liberia declared a 21-day state of emergency in four counties (Montserrado, Nimba, Grand Kru and Margibi) and put the rest of the country into a 14-day quarantine.

On 26 March 2020, China suspended the entry of foreign nationals due to the rapid spread of Covid-19 across the world.

Best wishes for a very Happy Easter to all our friends and clients who will be celebrating this weekend. A special thought for those who are at sea far from family and friends at this difficult time.