regulations – Professional Mariner

23 Jun

AMP: Time to put Americans first and end Jones Act waiver

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsJones Act, MarAd, regulations, shipping

(WASHINGTON) — A 60-day Jones Act waiver was issued at the start of Operation Epic Fury under a statutory provision (46 USC 501(a)) designed to address military logistics needs. It was subsequently extended until Aug. 17. Now that President Trump has signed an agreement ending the conflict, the statutory basis for the waiver is null. It’s time to end the…

OMSA urges end of Coast Guard type approvals for equipment

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsregulations, U.S. Coast Guard

(NEW ORLEANS) — As the federal government intensifies efforts to reduce burdensome maritime regulations, the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) is calling on the administration to eliminate all 95 U.S. Coast Guard type-approval requirements for equipment installed on U.S.-flagged vessels. “Type approvals impose heavy costs, stifle competition, and create needless barriers for American mariners and vessel owners,” said OMSA President…

Industry applauds as EPA unveils coordinated vessel discharge rules

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsballast water, desalination, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, federal, marine transportation, regulations, vessel discharge

Maritime officials and organizations are lauding proposed vessel discharge regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), saying they’re sorely needed to harmonize a mix of conflicting federal and state rules. Congress required the EPA to establish new performance standards by the end of 2020 under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) of 2018, which also requires the U.S. Coast Guard…