05076.GEN - February 24 , 2005

We recently received a letter from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport regarding the introduction of compulsory insurance requirements for non-tankers arriving in Japan.

The letter states that as of March 1, 2005:

”. . . a vessel calling at any Japanese port shall fulfill the following requirements for entry:

• to have P&I insurance (Protection & Indemnity Insurance) for the amount required by the Law;
• $ to carry a relevant certificate(s) of insurance on board; and
• $ to report the status of insurance to a relevant District Transport Bureau before entering the port.

  “Vessels that do not have P&I insurance after that date will be denied to enter any Japanese ports. If a vessel violates the above regulations, the master or the owner of the ship may be detained and shall be punished.

  “The new requirements for compulsory insurance apply to all ocean-going non-tanker vessels of 100 gross tonnage and over.”

Please note that we are forwarding this as information only, regardless of Vanuatu’s official position regarding this matter. You can find more information on these regulations at: www.mlit.go.jp/english/maritime.html

Donald J. Sheetz
Executive Vice President