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www.bifa.org


Implementation of low sulphur fuel running


smoothly Since 1 January 2020, the global upper limit on the sulphur content of ship fuel oil has been reduced to 0.5% from 3.5%. The new International Maritime


Statutory pay rate increases


With effect from 1 April 2020, the hourly rates of the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage will increase as follows: • Apprentice rate (under 19 or in the first year of an apprenticeship): £3.90 to £4.15,


• 16-17 years: £4.35 to £4.55, • 18-20 years: £6.15 to £6.45, • 21-24 years: £7.70 to £8.20, • 25+ (National Living Wage): £8.21 to £8.72.


The weekly rate of statutory maternity, paternity,


adoption and shared parental pay is due to increase from £148.68 to £151.20 per week with effect from 5 April 2020 (to be confirmed). Statutory sick pay (SSP) is also due to increase from £94.25 to £95.85 per week from 5 April 2020 (to be confirmed).


Written statements of terms From 6 April 2020, all new employees and workers will have the right to a statement of written terms of engagement from their first day of work. Additional information will have to be included as part of the extended right. Currently, employees only have to be provided with a


written statement of terms within two months of starting work. The new obligation is to provide a statement to both employees and workers on ‘day one’. Employers will also need to ensure that the statement is revised as necessary to include every element of the new requirement. Employers should also consider who might qualify as


a worker, issuing contracts of employment only to employees and using a separate template when issuing statements for workers.


IATA dangerous goods addendum published


IATA has published a 12-page addendum to the 61st edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations, effective 1 January 2020. The addendum provides a correction to the single packaging tables for Packing Instructions 360 to 364, all of which relate to flammable liquids. There are also several other editorial changes. When an addendum is issued,


IATA uses this as an opportunity to include updates to any state and operator variations that may have missed the publishing deadline. On this occasion it equates to almost eight pages, three of which are dedicated to Federal Express.


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Notably, Air Canada (AC-09) and Emirates (EK-03) have imposed new restrictions on the carriage of used and/or refurbished lithium batteries packed with or contained in equipment, including those prepared under the Section II provisions of Packing Instruction 966, 967, 969 and 970. This seems to coincide with the growth in sales of such items on certain e-commerce platforms. Many of the variations published


by the operators, are based on their own internal safety risk assessment. Later this year, ICAO will be


publishing a Doc 10102 AN/540 ‘Guidance for Safe Operations


Involving Aeroplane Cargo Compartments’. This mandates the requirement for operators to conduct a risk assessment for the carriage of cargo, including dangerous goods and lithium batteries. How the Air Canada and


Emirates variations will be verified by the operators remains to be seen, but do not be surprised if other operators replicate this in 62nd Edition of the IATA DGR, effective 2021.


BIFA would like to thank Paul Horner of Dangerous Goods Safety Group (UK) Ltd for this information


Organisation (IMO) regulation is intended to significantly reduce the amount of sulphur oxide emanating from ships, resulting in major health and environmental benefits. Information from various


sources has indicated a relatively smooth transition to the 0.5% sulphur limit in the first few weeks of 2020, reported the IMO. Prices for compliant fuels – very-low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) and marine gas oil (MGO) – rose quickly initially but now appear to be stabilising. As of 20 January, 10 cases of


compliant fuel being unavailable have been reported in the IMO’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS). In a recent press release, IMO


Secretary-General Kitack Lim said: “It is testimony… that such a major rule change is being implemented successfully without significant disruption to maritime transport and those who depend on it.” He added: “The next important


target is fast approaching, when carrying non-compliant fuel oil on board ships becomes prohibited on 1 March 2020. I urge all shipowners, operators and masters to comply with the carriage ban, where applicable, when it comes into effect. The IMO will remain vigilant and ready to respond and provide any support.”


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March 2020


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