Government Update News


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)…

Bill Promotes US LNG Vessel Transport

Aug 01, 2014

Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-03), Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, introduced H.R. 5270, the Growing American Shipping Act, which aims to modernize U.S…

Former MSC Manager Sentenced on Bribes Charges

Jul 31, 2014

Former Afloat Programs Manager at the United States Navy Military Sealift Command (MSC), Kenny E. Toy, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for receiving bribes, the U.S. Department of Justice said.Toy was sentenced by United States Chief…

Growing American Shipping Bill Introduced by Garamendi

Jul 30, 2014

Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-03), Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, informs ot the introduction of  H.R. 5270, the 'Growing American Shipping Act', to strengthen the U…

US Blacklists North Korean Shipping Firms

Jul 30, 2014

The United States on Wednesday blacklisted two North Korean shipping firms, Chongchongang Shipping and Ocean Maritime Management, following a similar move by the United Nations.The United Nations on Monday said Ocean Maritime Management…

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