Tag: regulatory update

The US Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it may cease broadcasting Navigational Telex (NAVTEX) over Medium Frequency (MF) after first ensuring the information contained in NAVTEX broadcasts is available via IMO-recognized satellite services.

In light of the approaching 2020 sulphur cap, which sees vessels using fuel containing up to 0.5% sulphur, Maersk's Jacob A. Sterling tweeted that the cost of compliance will increase. Thus, Maersk issues a new Environmental Fuel Fee, and updates the existing Bunker Adjustment Factor. 

During a Hutchison Ports/IMO/IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) seminar, industry stakeholders questioned whether ports need international regulation. IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim stated that there are additional things to explore and improve the cooperation between shipping, ports and logistics.

ESPO submitted its proposals regarding the European Commission's review of the TEN-T Regulation 1315/2013 which kick started before summer. ESPO believes the new TEN-T guidelines should be adapted to recognise the role many seaports are playing in the field of energy and digitalization over their classical role.

IMO's Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers is meeting for its sixth session this week (CCC 6), on 9-13 September, where it is expected to validate a new IMO Model Course on Safe Handling and Transport of Solid Bulk Cargoes.

Panama's Cabinet Council officially approved the modification of the toll structure of the Panama Canal, following the recommendation of the Board of Directors. The new structure seeks to improve the Canal's ability to provide a competitive and reliable service for the global maritime transport. 

After 15 years, the BWM Convention is coming into full effect from this September. At the same time, across the Atlantic, important developments have also been taking place in relation to the USCG’s BWM regulation. The UK Club issued a Legal Briefing, summarizing some of the more significant developments associated to the two regulations. 

In an updated FAQs document, US OFAC clarifies that, even for vessels carrying lawful cargo to and from Iran, the provision of bunkers is unlawful and subject to US secondary sanctions, wherever it takes place, in the event the bunkering operation involves, inter alia, US financial institutions.

As the EU Ship Recycling Regulation is to take effect in 2020, stakeholders should stand up to their responsibilities and IHM Service suppliers should create effective procedures to promote compliance, argues Consulting Engineer Stefanos Magoulas.

While scrubbers are an attractive means of compliance with the IMO's 2020 sulphur cap, equivalent to low-sulphur fuels, a recent surge in bans of open loop scrubbers in major ports worldwide seems to open new discussions, creating misconceptions surrounding the true environmental impact of these systems.