Regulation – Professional Mariner

24 Feb

ICS questions rules enforcement by new flag states

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIMO, Regulation, shipping

(LONDON) — The latest edition of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) table shows the world’s largest flag state administrations continuing to demonstrate high levels of performance with respect to enforcement of global shipping regulations. Eswatini and other new flag states, however, present a distinct concern for maritime industry. Using a wide range of objective performance indicators, the ICS yable provides…

13 Feb

Legal at sea: Charting the new maritime regulatory landscape

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsEnvironment, Licensing and training, Regulation, shipping

(ARENDAL, Norway) — Reflecting the ongoing emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable maritime operations, this year sees the implementation of crucial regulations across various domains, from emissions control and fuel efficiency to ship recycling and safety standards. These changes underscore the industry's continuous evolution towards a more environmentally responsible and sustainable future. Below, maritime insurer Gard looks at several of…

01 Nov

Mexican ship manager fined $1.75M for concealing discharges

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsMARPOL, Regulation, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — Gremex Shipping S.A. de C.V., a Mexican corporation that managed several ships including the bulk carrier Suhar, pleaded guilty and was sentenced Wednesday for creating and providing false records to the U.S. Coast Guard to conceal the illegal discharge of oily bilge waste into the ocean, which is a felony violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from…

07 Oct

Canadian Arctic, Norwegian Sea now emission control areas

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsEnvironment, IMO, Regulation

(LONDON) — The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted significant amendments to MARPOL Annex VI during the 82nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) last week, establishing two new Emission Control Areas (ECAs). The amendments designate the Canadian Arctic and the Norwegian Sea as ECAs for nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM). The new regulations…

30 Sep

$2 million fine levied for oil dumping; captain faces prison

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsPollution, Regulation, U.S. Coast Guard

(NEW ORLEANS) — Two corporations that operated the motor tanker PS Dream — Prive Overseas Marine LLC and Prive Shipping Denizcilik Ticaret — were sentenced Thursday in federal court to pay a $2 million criminal penalty and complete four years of probation for concealing an oil discharge from the ship. The companies pleaded guilty in May to charges of conspiracy,…

06 Sep

AWO applauds California bill on new emissions equipment

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towingemissions, Regulation

(ARLINGTON, Va.) — The American Waterways Operators (AWO) is commending the California Legislature's recent passage of Assembly Bill 1122 as a major milestone in protecting mariner safety and port operations stability on the state's waterways. Led by Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains, D-Bakersfield, AB 1122 protects mariner lives by ensuring that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) cannot require the use…

31 May

Great Lakes shippers praise U.S. inquiry into Canadian rule

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsballast water, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, Ports, Regulation, shipping

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has opened an investigation into a Canadian shipping regulation as a potential unfair trade practice. The FMC noted, “Based on available information, it appears that conditions created by the government of Canada in connection with regulation of ballast water management systems may adversely affect the operation of United States carriers in the…

04 Mar

Coast Guard won’t enforce new CARB emissions rule

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsRegulation, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard says it will not enforce a new California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulation pertaining to commercial harbor craft, citing safety concerns, The Center Square reported. The Coast Guard and business organizations oppose CARB's requirement that owners and operators of commercial harbor craft install diesel particulate filters (DPFs), which have been linked to a number…

01 Mar

AWO urges Gov. Newsom to delay enforcing CARB rule

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsEnvironment, Regulation, Tugboats and towing

(ARLINGTON, Va.) — In a Feb. 22 letter, Jennifer Carpenter, president and CEO of the American Waterways Operators (AWO), asked California Gov. Gavin Newsom to delay deadlines or enforcement of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) commercial harbor craft rule due to safety issues and lack of the EPA-required authorization. Carpenter pointed out that technical experts have not approved diesel…

21 Nov

EPA seeks to revise ballast water discharge requirements

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsEPA, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, Regulation, shipping

(WASHINGTON) — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) in the Federal Register, requesting public comment on modifications to the agency's 2020 proposed rule implementing the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA). The law seeks to regulate a variety of discharges from commercial vessels, including ballast water discharges. Since the late 1980s, ships' ballast…