Regulation

Recent changes to classification laws require deepwater, self-propelled drilling vessels, traditionally identified as mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) to now be identified as dynamic positioning vessels (DPVs). This regulatory change results in stricter crewing requirements for these drilling vessels.

The ITF has requested a lifting of Turkey's embargo on Cypriot-flagged ships in the hopes of creating more equal opportunities for both Cypriot and Turkish laborers.

Bill Gallagher of the Marshall Islands Registry highlights the important role of flag states have in the shipping industry in an essay originally published in Marine Money's January 2011 issue.

The Paris MOU has introduced a new port state control inspection regime from the 1st of January 2011. This New Inspection Regime (NIR) was developed by the Paris MOU following consultation with the industry on a mechanism to focus Port State Control inspections and to reward quality shipping.

The website provides access to information and activities of the regulatory authorities for Europe and Canada known as the Paris MOU on Port State Control.

In November, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) withdrew a proposal that if passed, would have allowed foreign vessels to transport well-head assemblies to U.S. ports under the pretenses that these assemblies would be considered "vessel equipment" rather than "merchandise" and therefore, foreign vessels delivering them would not be in violation of the Jones Act.

The U.S. Coast Guard has established a formal policy regarding the banning of substandard vessels from its waters.

A policy requiring Polish seafarers working aboard the Norwegian International Register (NIS) to pay Polish income taxes, effective January 1, 2011, raises questions about the future of open registry labor policies.

The US Coast Guard's latest docket announces its plans to recognize foreign certifications for seafarers, as required by Regulation I/10 of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Treaty (STCW) Convention. From the docket:

Dr. Klein of Germanischer Lloyds reflected with the ISRR staff on the viability of natural gas and offshore wind as practical, affordable, and green energy sources to supplement traditional fuel sources, and their prospects for job creation and maritime business. He was in New York hosting a successful US and Canada GL committee meeting.