For your shipowner clients operating internationally, demonstrating compliance with mandatory marine insurance requirements is an important part of doing business. One of the key documents that helps make that possible is a Blue Card.
Issued by a marine insurance partner, a Blue Card serves as evidence that a vessel has the required financial security under applicable international maritime conventions. It enables the shipowner to obtain the Certificate of Insurance required by many flag states before entering participating ports.
How Does the Process Work?
Obtaining a Blue Card is straightforward:
- The shipowner requests a Blue Card from their broker with a marine insurance provider.
- The insurance provider verifies that the required coverage is in place and issues the appropriate Blue Card to the broker to provide their client.
- The shipowner and their broker submit the Blue Card to their flag state or other authorized authority to obtain the required Certificate of Insurance.
Depending on the convention and the vessel’s registry, the certificate is typically issued by the vessel’s flag state. Requirements and issuing procedures may vary by jurisdiction.
A Blue Card generally includes information such as:
- Vessel name
- IMO number
- Call sign
- Port of registry
- Name and address of the registered owner’s principal place of business
Why Are Blue Cards Required?
Blue Cards support several International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions that establish financial responsibility requirements for shipowners. These conventions help ensure that vessel owners have the financial resources to respond to certain pollution, liability, and compensation claims.
Examples include:
- International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC), 1969
- 1992 Fund Convention
- Convention Relating to Civil Liability in the Field of Maritime Carriage of Nuclear Material
- Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and Their Luggage by Sea
- Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC)
- International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (Bunkers Convention)
- Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks
Understanding the Bunker Blue Card
One of the most common Blue Cards is issued under the Bunkers Convention, which requires many shipowners to maintain insurance for pollution damage caused by bunker fuel. A Bunker Blue Card, issued by the insurance provider, serves as proof of that coverage and allows the shipowner to obtain the required Certificate of Insurance.
Stay Compliant
Navigating international marine insurance requirements doesn’t have to be complicated. Falvey helps brokers and their clients obtain the Blue Cards required for applicable jurisdictions while providing specialized expertise to support compliance. Contact our team to learn more. a bunker Blue Card.
