Greece signed a collaboration agreement with the International Group of P&I clubs regarding the response to serious maritime casualties and incidents in Greek waters.
The Memorandum of Understanding aims to help with the training and partnership between Group Clubs and the authorities, to facilitate a rapid and efficient response to incidents, especially those including actual or potential operations for the removal of wrecks and environmental damages and threats. The agreement was signed in London between the Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Giannis Plakiotakis, and the group, on behalf of which the CEO Mr. Nick Shaw signed.
The International Group of P&I Clubs (the IG) is an unincorporated association of the 13 principal underwriting Protection & Indemnity (P&I) Associations (Clubs) and their Affiliated Associations and Reinsured Entity, that between them provide liability cover (protection and indemnity) for approximately 90% of the world’s ocean-going tonnage.
As the Greek Ministry says in a statement, the MoU does not seek to create legally binding obligations or to substitute existing international, regional or local agreements in the field of maritime casualty management, but only to establish a collaborative framework between the Group of P & I Clubs and the Ministry for the optimal handling of such incidents.
The International Group of P&I Clubs has signed corresponding Memoranda with large coastal states, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Argentina, Chile and others, with the parallel elaboration of relevant educational programs, which is also provided for in the Memorandum with Greece.
Following the signing of the Memorandum, the Minister of Greece, Giannis Plakiotakis stated: “The role and expertise of insurers in major incidents at sea is catalytic. For this reason, we proceeded to the advance formulation of a framework of cooperation with the Association representing the largest P&I Clubs, with the aim of responding as coordinated as possible to such incidents”.
