Tag: regulatory update

Port of Newcastle has become the first port in Australia or New Zealand to commit to meeting global environmental and sustainability standards as set by EcoPorts. The port was this month granted membership of the International EcoPorts network, having completed assessments to benchmark its environmental and sustainability practices against 120 major ports across Europe, Asia, North America and South America.

Finland will allow remote pilotage subject to authorisation in public channels and in the Saimaa Canal lease area, that have been marked as routes requiring pilotage. The Pilotage Act will now allow the pilot to perform his/her duties somewhere else than onboard the vessel. Finland proposed on 17 January 2019 that the Pilotage Act be adopted and is now expected to enter into force on 1 February 2019.

The World Economic Forum published the "Global Risks Report 2019", highlighting the top risks that we can expect in the future. In terms of likelihood, environmental and cyber issues complete the top five. As for technology, it will continue to play a key role in the global risks landscape.

Port of Vancouver published its 'Port Information Guide' focusing on practises and procedures applicable to all vessels operating  within defined vessel operating areas in the port authority’s jurisdiction to support the safe and efficient movement of trade. The port authority makes amendments, in accordance with Section 56 of the Canada Marine Act.

The Norwegian Maritime Authority issued five fines for breaching sulphur regulations during 2018 in comparison with two in 2017. Except the five violation fines, NMA sent three additional notices for breach sulphur regulations, which are being processed for the time being. 

The last twenty years many dangerous events took place, showcasing the risk that offshore deck cargo operations present. To deal with this issue, OCIMF released a new information paper, Deck Cargo Management Onboard Offshore Vessels. The paper includes risk-based guidance as well as best practices on how to manage deck cargo in the offshore marine industry.

At its latest Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 73), IMO approved, among others, the guidance on the development of a ship implementation plan for the consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit, also known as the 2020 sulphur cap, under MARPOL Annex V.

UK P&I Club advises members that a new regulation on data collection for energy consumption of vessels has been enacted by the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration, which was put forward on January 1, 2019. According to the new regulation, applicable vessels calling at Chinese ports are to submit to the MSA the 'Data Report Format for Energy Consumption of Ships', and providing information on the last voyage, prior to their departure from the port.

The 2013 Vessel General Permit that replaced the 2008 Vessel General Permit, has incorporated a new requirements for a submission of an electronically annual report by February 28th covering activities conducted from January 1st, till December 31, of previous year.

In this article, SQE Marine provides information about the current situation on Chinese emissions regulations. Specifically, China relevant authority has set three ECA’s in China area in which from 01-01-2019, all vessels should use (all time) fuel with 0.5% m/m sulfur content.