Category: Regulations
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Department of Labor says new guidance on LHWCA will help cut costs for maritime
Department of Labor says new guidance on LHWCA will help cut costs for maritime The U.S. Department of Labor has published new guidance for calculating the amount of securitization required by insurers writing policies under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). The department says this will lower the cost of doing business for…
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Two FMC Commissioners applaud Administration action to close Harbor Maintenance Fee loophole
Two FMC Commissioners applaud Administration action to close Harbor Maintenance Fee loophole Federal Maritime Commissioners Max Vekich and Laura DiBella are commendig the Administration for taking steps to close land border tax loopholes that Canada and Mexico have been using to redirect supply chains away from U.S. ports and that enable shippers to avoid Harbor…
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Stage set for EU-U.S. confrontation on IMO NZF
Stage set for EU-U.S. confrontation on IMO NZF This week, IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee is holding an extraordinary session of to consider adoption of the proposed carbon tax on shipping that IMO calls the “Net Zero Framework” (NZF). The session looks set to be contentious, to say the least. In a brief statement released…
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Cracks in industry support for IMO “Net Zero Framework” carbon tax start to show
Cracks in industry support for IMO “Net Zero Framework” carbon tax start to show The International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee will hold an extraordinary session next week (October 14-17) to consider adoption of what IMO calls the “Net Zero Framework” (NZF). It’s actually what U.S, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Commerce…
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Tokyo and Paris MOUs plan BWM crack down
Tokyo and Paris MOUs plan BWM crack down The member port state control authorities of the Tokyo and the Paris Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control are to launch a joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Ballast Water Management (BWM). The BWM inspection campaign will be held for three months, commencing September 1,…
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Op-Ed: Sustainability means cleaning up our water, too
Op-Ed: Sustainability means cleaning up our water, too By Peter Satchwell, global business director, Wärtsilä Water & Waste The maritime industry finds itself navigating increasingly choppy regulatory waters. Shipowners and operators today face an ever-expanding array of rules and compliance requirements, with the complexity and scope of mandatory reporting growing exponentially. Whilst this regulatory evolution…
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USTR could ease some Section 301 measures on Chinese maritime dominance
USTR could ease some Section 301 measures on Chinese maritime dominance The U.S. Trade Representative’s office (USTR) announcement that it would take sweeping measures under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, began a process that included taking into account public comments on its proposed actions. USTR reveals fee scales, timing for Section 301…
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USCG streamlines underwater survey regulations
USCG streamlines underwater survey regulations Aiming to cut the costs of underwater surveys on U.S..-flagged ships, the U.S. Coast Guard has released updated guidance (NVIC 01-89 Change 1) that streamlines the regulatory framework to reduce costs and increases the competitive advantage of the American Registry without compromising safety. This update of the underwater survey regulations…
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USCG streamlines reflagging ships to the American Registry
USCG streamlines reflagging ships to the American Registry The Coast Guard says that it has streamlined the process for reflagging foreign ships to be certificated under the American Registry, without compromising safety. In doing so, the USCG has consolidated the reflagging process under a single program based on international standards. Benefits include: Reducing pre-inspection plan…
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USTR reveals fee scales, timing for Section 301 action on China
USTR reveals fee scales, timing for Section 301 action on China In a long-expected move, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on April 17 took Section 301 “targeted action to restore American shipbuilding and address China’s unreasonable acts, policies, and practices to dominate the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors.” The Section 301 provisions of the Trade…
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Ship Repair USA: Charting a course through compliance
Ship Repair USA: Charting a course through compliance When it comes to running a shipyard, navigating regulations and compliance can sometimes feel more complicated than navigating open water. One area that continues to challenge even the most seasoned operators is the United States Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (USL&H). Misunderstandings abound, and the stakes…
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IMO’s MEPC 83 approves net-zero regulations for global shipping
IMO’s MEPC 83 approves net-zero regulations for global shipping With the conclusion of the latest session of its Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) the International Maritime Organization (IMO) says that it has achieved another step towards establishing a legally binding framework to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships globally, aiming for net-zero emissions…
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Op-Ed: Do not overlook BWM Convention compliance
Op-Ed: Do not overlook BWM Convention compliance By Tommi Vihavainen, Product Owner – Logbook, Safety Solutions, NAPA As we watch for the outcomes of the 83rd meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO’s) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83), ballast water management may not be the hottest topic in shipping, but it remains a vital…
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New voices weigh in on impact of USTR’s proposed port fees on China-built ships
New voices weigh in on impact of USTR’s proposed port fees on China-built ships More concerns are being raised about the port fees that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) proposes be placed on Chinese-built ships. USTR proposes massive port fees on Chinese-built ships entering U.S. ports As Peter Sands, chief shipping analyst at Xeneta noted…
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DOE removes barriers to U.S. LNG bunkering
DOE removes barriers to U.S. LNG bunkering The U.S. Department of Energy last week announced an order that removes barriers for the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel. The order issued by DOE modifies a prior order issued to JAX LNG in December 2024 under the previous administration that had asserted…
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USTR proposes massive port fees on Chinese-built ships entering U.S. ports
USTR proposes massive port fees on Chinese-built ships entering U.S. ports Operators of Chinese built ships could face a service fee of up $1.5 million for each U.S. port call. As we reported earlier, in response to a petition filed by U.S. unions back in March 2024, then U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai…
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ICS: “Much work still needed” on IMO GHG reduction plans
ICS: “Much work still needed” on IMO GHG reduction plans How much closer are we to IMO GHG reduction regulations that include putting a price on ships’ GHG emissions? Following a week of discussions by an IMO working group, Guy Platten, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), emphasized the need for urgent…
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With Hong Kong Convention looming, DNV releases new guidance on ship recycling:
With Hong Kong Convention looming, DNV releases new guidance on ship recycling: With the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) on ship recycling set to take effect this year, shipowners looking to scrap old tonnage will need to ensure compliance with stricter regulatory controls and inspection requirements. DNV’s latest guidance paper “Safe and Green Recycling for Ship…
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New push for IMO levy on GHG emissions
New push for IMO levy on GHG emissions By as early as 2027, ship operators could face an IMO-imposed charge per tonne of CO2 emitted. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released the text of a proposal that has been submitted to an IMO working group. Supported by the ICS and 47 governments, it…
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EPA approves most of controversial CARB rule waiver request
EPA approves most of controversial CARB rule waiver request Will the California Air Resources Board’s controversial Commercial Harbor Craft Rule lead to the building of more cutting edge zero-emission vessels, or will it create hazardous conditions on existing vessels retrofitted to meet its requirements? Either way, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has now approved…
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Op-Ed: Urgent reality of regulations to set in for the shipping industry
Op-Ed: Urgent reality of regulations to set in for the shipping industry By Steve Esau, COO of SEA-LNG In 2025, the urgent reality of regulations will set in for the shipping industry. With the arrival of the new year, we begin the five-year countdown to IMO’s first notable deadline – reducing greenhouse gas emissions by a…
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Normec Verifavia MD sheds light on regulatory compliance challenges as shipping readies for pivotal shift in 2025
Normec Verifavia MD sheds light on regulatory compliance challenges as shipping readies for pivotal shift in 2025 From 2025, the shipping industry will usher in a new era of more stringent regulations with environmental pieces woven into it. Adhering to these regulations is expected to drive a shift towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050.…