This week: The United Kingdom government warns the shipping industry and those around it that they must be ready in the event of a WTO-terms Brexit, Iran appears to be thawing to the idea of releasing the oil tanker it impounded after the release of the Iranian tanker seized by British Royal Marines and container lines try to clamp down on misdeclared cargoes

A limited amount of information sharing could greatly enhance safety and reduce fraud, argues Drewry, with most shippers likely to welcome any measure that will help reduce the risk of delay or damage to their cargoes

Call comes after the abduction of 17 seafarers in the Gulf of Guinea

The crew on the Wisdom Marine vessel retreated to the citadel and the master took evasive action

‘It’s interesting that they talk about fines, because I don’t think that in the private sector you can fine people. Usually fines relate to regulators and law enforcement agencies,’ says FIATA acting director general Steve Morris

Nearly a month after 10 Turkish crew were abducted from the Turkish-flagged 8,928 dwt Paksoy 1 general cargo vessel off Nigeria the seafarers have been released unharmed

The were no reports of injuries to the crew and initial checks showed the vessel is stable. The vessel has diverted to Mundra, where it remains for investigations

‘To ensure the safety of our crew, ships and other cargo onboard, Hapag-Lloyd holds the shipper liable and responsible for all costs and consequences related to violations, fines, damages, incidents, claims and corrective measures resulting from cases of undeclared or misdeclared cargoes,’ German carrier tells shippers

The spotlight on the Strait of Hormuz has exposed the severe limitations on the Royal Navy’s ability to protect merchant shipping and the vulnerability of ships on passage in this important waterway