Tag: regulatory update

The US House of Representatives has passed the “Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act”, enforcing Jones Act requirements for all offshore renewable energy production in an effort to strengthen domestic maritime industry.  

Spain must recover state aid granted under a tax lease scheme which allowed shipping companies to benefit from rebates of up to 30% on the price of vessels built by Spanish shipyards, according to a new ruling by the Luxembourg-based General Court.

The maritime border of New Zealand is still closed to foreign vessels, including foreign yachts and other small craft, with some specific exemptions for cargo ships and fishing vessels, the government of New Zealand recently announced. 

Port Authority of Santos, Brazil issued new regulations concerning the berthing and mooring of the vessels, which are valid from 26th of August 2020.

On 26 December 2020, the 2018 amendments to the MLC, 2006 are expected to enter into force, requiring seafarer employment agreements (SEAs), such as wages and other entitlements, to continue to have effect when seafarers are held captive on or off the ship due to piracy or armed robbery.

The US Coast Guard has published Marine Safety Information Bulletin 13-20 – (Change 1) “Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Operations – Change 1” to update temporary exemptions to credential expiration related to COVID-19. 

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.