Maritime Law

Read Transportation Law updates, alerts, and legal commentary from leading lawyers and law firms:

News & Analysis as of May 23, 2013

New FMC Commissioner Could Lead to Continuing Reforms of U.S. International Ocean Transportation System

by Ashley Craig, David Dickman, Elizabeth Lowe | Venable LLP on 1/8/2013

On Tuesday, the United States Senate confirmed William P. Doyle, of Pennsylvania, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner for the term expiring June 30, 2013. Commissioner Doyle joins Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr., Michael...more

The Delightfully Brief, Pithy and Wholly Idiosyncratic Video Newsletter - January 2013, Vol. 1, Edition 1

by John A. C. Cartner on 1/3/2013

A Billion Here or There - Now that the President has another four years and the budget chasm is before the country. The so-called fiscal cliff comes. Of the many ways to save money, the Congress has chosen the meat...more

The Costs of Delayed Crew Reporting

by Nathan Cecil on 10/30/2012

This article is a reminder to all operators of ships trading to Australia about the requirement to report crew and passengers to Customs at least 96 hours before arrival in the first Australian port of call, or face...more

Port State Control Detention Over Two Hour Temporary Defect Upheld

by Nathan Cecil on 8/16/2012

In a decision handed down last week, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal upheld a PortState Control decision to detain a ship for a defect which was rectified within approximately two hours of the inspection. Whilst the...more

The Fortnightly Delightfully Brief, Pithy And Wholly Idiosyncratic Newsletter - July 1, 2012, Volume 1, Edition 12

by John A. C. Cartner on 7/11/2012

In This Issue: - Define 'Safe'... - The TSA Big TWIC Lie - Circle The Drain - Urgings Excerpt from "Define 'Safe'... Delightfully Brief. The dog days of summer are upon Washington early -- even without...more

US security rule is a curse on seafarers

by John A. C. Cartner on 4/20/2011

The maritime hobgoblin rears its head again.Work in maritime America ismeted out to theworthy by the organs of state security. The Transportation Security Administration is the gatekeeper,with the detested...more

Trade Association Asks FMC to Reopen NRA Rulemaking

by Venable LLP on 4/19/2011

On April 12, 2011, counsel for the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (“NCBFAA” or “the Association”) submitted a letter to the Federal Maritime Commission (“FMC”) offering commentary and a request...more

FMC’s New Rule Exempts Licensed NVOCCs from Tariff Publication Requirements

by Venable LLP on 2/18/2011

On February 16, 2011, the Federal Maritime Commission (“FMC” or “Commission”) adopted new regulations which provide non-vessel operating common carriers (“NVOCCs”) with an exemption from tariff publication requirements of the...more

Rule by Bureaucracy Is not Always by Right

by John A. C. Cartner on 9/15/2010

A complex legal case involving a ship engineer seeking refuge highlights the problems of interpreting maritime and human rights law....more

New Federal Requirements for Coal Barges and Other Vessels

by Dinsmore & Shohl LLP on 1/7/2010

Coal barges and other vessels must comply with new federal requirements. These requirements are: (1) coal barges and other vessels that are 79 feet or longer must obtain a Vessel General (NPDES) Permit ("VGP") to operate and...more