Government Update News


Coast Guard Conducts MI Spill Drill

Jan 26, 2012

Coast Guard, Response Agencies deploy equipment for oil-recovery training in Michigan waters. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, oil spill response organizations, Enbridge Energy Partners and several…

Shipping Companies Sentenced for Environmental Crimes

Jan 26, 2012

Two Shipping Corporations Plead Guilty and Are Sentenced in Maryland for Obstruction of Justice and Environmental Crimes; Companies Each Sentenced to Pay $1.2 Million, Including $550,000 to Benefit Chesapeake Bay. Two corporations pleaded…

NOAA Satellites Help Rescue 207 in 2011

Jan 25, 2012

In 2011, NOAA satellites were critical in the rescues of 207 people from life-threatening situations throughout the United States and its surrounding waters. The satellites picked up distress signals from emergency beacons carried by downed pilots…

EU Review Includes Coasta Concordia Lessons

Jan 23, 2012

Safety of passenger ships – Costa Concordia accident and Commission review of safety legislation. Vice-President Siim Kallas, European Commissioner for Transport has asked that the currently ongoing review of EU passenger ship safety legislation…

Successful EU NAVFOR Anti-Piracy Operation

Jan 23, 2012

EU NAVFOR warship FGS LUEBECK successfully releases Indian dhow and crew. After three days of persistent pressure, FGS LUEBECK has forced Somali pirates to release an Indian dhow with 15 Indian mariners held as hostages.On the 17 January…

U.S. Congress to Hold Meeting on Cruise Ship Safety

Jan 20, 2012

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL) announced the Committee will conduct a hearing to review cruise ship safety in light of the recent Costa Concordia incident in the Mediterranean Sea.“The Costa Concordia…

Are the Ballast Water Stars Finally Aligning?

Jan 18, 2012

Ballast water was first recognized by the scientific community as a vector for transfer of potentially invasive marine species more than 30 years ago.  It took a number of years, and acceptance that zebra mussels had reached the Great Lakes in the ballast water of ships arriving from the Black Sea…

MERPAC Working Group Meeting

Jan 14, 2012

The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) will conduct an intercessional meeting to facilitate working group discussion of Task Statement 76, titled “Review of Performance Measures (Assessment Criteria)”, and Task Statement 77…

New EU NAVFOR Deputy Operation Commander

Jan 13, 2012

Rear Admiral Christian Canova (French Navy) hands over the responsibility of Deputy Operation Commander of the European Union Naval Force Somalia, Operation ATALANTA to Rear Admiral Rainer Endres (German Navy) on 12 January 2012 at the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) in Northwood…

Austal Launches Second LCS

Jan 12, 2012

Austal Launches 2nd Littoral Combat Ship CORONADO (LCS 4) Mobile, Alabama-based Austal USA successfully launched the second 127-meter Independence-Variant Littoral Combat Ship, Coronado (LCS 4). In reference to the success of the Coronado launch…

WCI to Honor Rahall with 2012 Leadership Award

Jan 11, 2012

U.S. Congressman Nick Rahall to receive 11th Annual Waterways Council Leadership Service Award.U.S. Congressman Nick J. Rahall, II (WV-03) will receive the Eleventh Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on Wednesday, February 15…

ICS Publishes New Flag State Table

Jan 10, 2012

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published its latest annual Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table - see www.ics-shipping.org/flag-performance.htm . The Table collates various data available in the public domain.…

Maersk Begins Reflagging Process

Jan 10, 2012

Maersk Line, Limited Brings the First of Two Project Cargo Ships Under the U.S. Flag. Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) completed the reflagging under U.S. registry of the MAERSK ILLINOIS, its newest multipurpose heavy-lift vessel. The ship is…

Public Meeting in New Orleans for OIl & Gas Leasing

Jan 10, 2012

BOEM Will Hold Public Hearing in New Orleans on Proposed Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will hold a public hearing in New Orleans on Jan. 11, 2012, to provide an opportunity for the public to comment…

DHS: HOGANSAC Members Needed

Jan 09, 2012

Coast Guard seeking Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee applicants to fill vacancies.AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.ACTION: Request for applications. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the…

Current News

War Insurance Costs to Israel Soar

Tanker Vessel Market Flashes Yellow as Middle East Burns

Shore Power System Installed at Husky Terminal

Maturing Dry Bulk Fleet Ill-Equipped for Future

Subscribe for Maritime Logistics Professional E‑News