Regulation

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular advising owners, operators, and masters that the recent session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) adopted a revised recommendation for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for MARPOL Annex I type oil carried as cargo in bulk or as marine fuel oil. (From Bryant's Maritime Blog - June 17, 2009)

Following observed changes in the pattern of attacks by Somali pirates, the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) issued an updated Special Maritime Advisory message June 9, 2009.

OSLO, June 9 - The European Commission is preparing measures to cap carbon emissions from shipping if the global maritime industry fails to come up with its own proposals soon, an official of the EU executive body said on Tuesday.

Korean Corporate Owner of Cargo Vessel Sentenced to Pay $2.2 Million for Conspiracy and Falsifying Records.

The mailing address and zip code for Coast Guard headquarters has not changed. The format change takes effect June 15 and mandates a very specific format lest your important missive gets lost in the bowels of the DHS consolidated remote delivery site (CRDS), which processes incoming/outgoing U.S.

The hearings were held on May 20, 2009 in response to the attacks on the Maersk Alabama and Liberty Sun under the chairmanship of Congressman Elijah Cummings. Your editors thought the following quote summed up the situation:

The US Coast Guard issued a direct final rule adding the International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) Certificate to the list of certificates a recognized classification society may be authorized to issue on behalf of the United States. The rule will come into effect on August 6, unless the Coast Guard receives adverse comments on this rulemaking by June 22.

Lloyd's Register has sent us a number of Classification News alerts which point out upcoming regulatory requirements.

Should shipowners/operators have primary responsibility for their vessels security or does the international community have a role to play?

During recent congressional hearings, U.S. officials call for ship owner/operators to provide for their own security when transiting dangerous waters.