AMSA conducted a public consultation on proposed approach to regulating vessels being used for ‘Airbnb style activities’ such as short term marina accommodation. Now, a new report describes the outcomes of the AMSA consultation. AMSA has decided not to proceed with making Exemption 27 at this time.
Canada’s Minister of transport, Marc Garneau, announced that the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act (Bill C-48) has received Royal Assent. According to the Act, oil tankers transferring crude and persistent oils as cargo from stopping, loading or unloading at ports or marine installations in northern British Columbia. The Act aims to protect, to some level, the area’s marine ecosystems, which are vulnerable to the developing marine shipping.
The USCG announced that its Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has updated the Mission Management System CV-WI-010(2), Work Instruction for OCMI guidance on special consideration for inspected towing vessels.
New Zealand’s Cabinet has approved the mid-point review of the Oil Pollution Levy (OPL) to reflect updated risk and to ensure Maritime NZ can deliver on the current Marine Oil Spill Readiness and Response Strategy. The OPL funds New Zealand’s maritime oil pollution preparedness and response system.
The Norwegian government introduced new rules for passenger ships in Svalbard, in the Arctic Ocean, in a bid to improve safety and security in this fragile Arctic environment. The rules apply to both Norwegian and foreign ships.
In regard to the difficulties found in conducting a safe and efficient ballast water exchange in the waters between China and South Korea, the two countries have agreed on exemption of ballast water exchange requirements for international ships sailing between these two regions.
The USCG Office of Port and Facility Compliance has compiled frequently asked questions (FAQs) to assist with the compliance of Seafarers’ Access to Maritime Facilities regulation (33 CFR §105.237), effective from 1st May 2019.
The Norwegian Parliament decided that Norway should ratify the Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention and that the Convention must be given effect not only in Norway’s exclusive economic zone, but also in its territorial waters. The Norwegian Parliament also adopted legislation to implement the Wreck Removal Convention into Norwegian law once ratified.
US Senators Todd Young, Bill Cassidy, M.D., and Michael Bennet have brought the Waterway LNG Parity Act before Congress. This bill mandates excise taxes on LNG for marine transportation on inland waterways to be levied at a rate consistent with energy output regarding diesel and gasoline.
Marc Garneau, the Canadian Minister of Transport, published the new Ballast Water Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on June 8, 2019. Created after extensive dialogue with industry, scientists, engineers and international partners, the proposed regulations aim to strengthen current rules and reduce the risks to Canada’s environment and economy related to aquatic invasive species.
