As part of its newly announced arrangements amid COVID-19, AMSA announced it has taken steps to allow the holders of seafarer certificates and certificates of medical fitness to continue to perform duties even if the certificate expires during the period between 26 March 2020 and 31 January 2021.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) announced further steps to allow holders of National Law certificates of competency and first aid certificates to continue to perform their duties even if their certificate expires during the period between 26 March 2020 and 31 January 2021.
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott introduced the Set Sail Safely Act (S. 4592), which would establish a Maritime Task Force, in coordination with a Private Sector Advisory Committee, to address the health, safety, security, and logistical changes needed to develop a roadmap for cruise lines to resume operations.
Following months of debates across the industry, the European Parliament voted to include CO2 emissions from the maritime sector in the EU Emissions Trading System, eyeing a 40% reduction in CO2 by 2030.
Transport Malta reiterated the need of compliance with the Directive 2014/90/EU on Marine Equipment (MED). The Directive, inter alia, provides that recognised organisations shall inform the Directorate in cases where it is suspected that MED equipment placed onboard a Maltese ship is not compliant with the applicable requirements.
India has joined the Djibouti Code of Conduct/ Jeddah Amendment, as Observer, with the aim to cooperate with other states on reducing maritime piracy in the Indian Ocean region.
The USCG Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance published Work Instruction CVC-WI-018(1), “Laid up Inspected/Examined Vessels”, outlining the process of laying up inspected and examined commercial vessels to provide greater consistency and continuity between Captain of the Port Zones.
After Japan acceded to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 and the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007, its ships have specific requirements to fulfill.
The past year has seen an increase in reports of MARPOL Annex IV (sewage) violations during PSC inspections in Ghana, particularly in the ports of Takoradi and Tema, which have led to financial penalties against vessels, according to data provided by Budd Ghana.
Recently, Chinese ports are strengthening epidemic prevention and control measures on vessels having changed crew overseas within 14 days, especially for Filipino seafarers or vessels that have changed crew members in the Philippines, data by local correspondents Huatai Marine reveals.
