Government Update News


Sinopec SVP is new Sinochem Chair

Aug 26, 2014

A former senior vice president at top Asian oil refinery Sinopec Corp has officially taken office as the new head of state-run Sinochem Group, officials at the two companies said on Tuesday.Cai Xiyou, Sinopec's vice president in charge of oil trading and sales…

OP/ED: The State of Piracy

Aug 26, 2014

Piracy’s gone away, right? You’d be forgiven for thinking that. The predominant narrative for the Indian Ocean is that Piracy has been suppressed to an extent that ship-owners are requesting fewer guards, even unarmed in some cases. Certainly…

As Exports Rise, Maritime Moves America

Aug 25, 2014

Today, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of industry professionals at the Finished Vehicle Logistics Conference, where the theme of the discussion was the import and export of new cars.I’m sure you’re wondering what vehicle logistics has to do with the Maritime Administration…

GPS Satellites Launched, Stray Off Course

Aug 25, 2014

Following an announcement made by Arianespace on the anomalies of the orbit injection of the Galileo satellites, the teams of industries and agencies involved in the early operations of the satellites are investigating the potential implications on the mission…

Ballast Water Management: California Update

Aug 21, 2014

The California State Lands Commission (CSL) has promulgated a letter to clarify its interpretation of existing ballast water requirements under the California's Marine Invasive Species Act (MISA) informs the UK P&I Club.In its letter, California…

Lloyd’s Register's New, Consolidated, Rules for Offshore Units

Aug 21, 2014

Lloyd’s Register has launched its new Rules for Offshore Units in one single document following an in-depth consultation with industry. It signals a move by the world’s oldest classification and certification society, to modernise the way…

FMC Forum to Address US Port Congestion

Aug 19, 2014

U.S. Port Congestion: Examining Causes, Impact on Stakeholders and Exploring Possible SolutionsFederal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Mario Cordero will hold a forum titled, 'U.S. Port Congestion: Examining Causes, Impact on Stakeholders and Exploring Possible Solutions' Monday…

Canadian Ports: Minister Emphasizes Key Role

Aug 18, 2014

Transport Canada informs that the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, has spoken of the important role Canada's marine ports play in supporting trade and economic growth in a speech to the 56th annual conference of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities…

'MV Cape Ray' Crew: Chemical Weapons Destruction Applauded

Aug 18, 2014

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) says it is proud to support the international effort to destroy Syrian chemical weapons and agents by providing the M/V CAPE RAY and its all-volunteer U.S. Merchant Marine crew to support this critical mission…

US Finalizes Overhaul of Natural Gas Export Reviews

Aug 14, 2014

The U.S. Energy Department has finalized a plan to revamp its process for approving liquefied natural gas exports, and as originally proposed the changes eliminate conditional approvals for LNG projects.Beginning Thursday, the department…

LR Alert: Changes to the ISM Code

Aug 12, 2014

Amendments to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code will enter into force on 1 January, 2015, introducing new requirements for manning and company verification, and new references to related IMO guidance, as follows:Changes to manning requirementsAmended paragraph 6…

Port of Pittsburgh Taps Martinko as Executive Director

Aug 11, 2014

The Port of Pittsburgh Commission (PPC) announced today that Mr. Stephen Martinko will be the Commission's new executive director.Since January, 2013, Martinko has been the deputy staff director of the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation…

Eni Cutbacks Bring Relief to Europe's Refiners

Aug 08, 2014

Eni to cut over 50 pct of refining capacity; could cut excess Europe capacity by a quarter. Unions fear eventual job losses.Plans by Italian oil major Eni to slash its refining business by more than half could squeeze out a quarter of Europe's refining overcapacity…

AWO Praises Simplification of TWIC Process

Aug 06, 2014

Last week, the Transportation Security Administration began nationwide implementation of a program that reforms the burdensome process by which mariners and other transportation workers receive required Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC)…

Seaspan Appoints Page as VP, Government Relations

Aug 06, 2014

Seaspan has announced that Tim Page has joined Seaspan Shipyards as Vice President, Government Relations.Tim will provide leadership to Seaspan Shipyards, acting as the primary representative with Government agencies and non-Government Organizations (NGOs)…

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