Eastern Mediterranean Maritime is quitting Gard in the first significant upset of the protection-and-indemnity (P&I) renewal season.

The Thanassis Martinos-controlled shipping company is to pull tankers of up to VLCC size, bulkers up to supramaxes and a containership out of the Norwegian P&I club at the renewal.

Eastern Med is preparing to renew the vessels with the UK and Standard clubs with the former expected to pick up most of the tonnage leaving Gard.

Gard