What’s different about “change” in 2017? It certainly seems that we need to redefine what we mean when we consider the term itself.
Shipping historically has been a conservative industry, but its adaptability over the...more
Maritime Executive -
Ballast water management has been one of the most challenging and oftentimes frustrating regulatory issues of the past decade. The principal reason is that the international regime under the...more
Action Item: In December 2016, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia found that the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Pollution Funds Center (“NPFC”) wrongfully denied a reimbursement claim by the Water Quality...more
As we launch into a new year, uncertainty remains the word of the day. Whatever your political leanings, it would be hard to dispute that the inauguration of the Trump administration augurs change on many fronts, from...more
1/31/2017
/ Ballast Water Management ,
Bid Protests ,
Coast Guard ,
Customs and Border Protection ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Breach ,
GAO ,
Hackers ,
Maritime Transport ,
Risk Management ,
Trump Administration
Action Item: Vessel owners and operators should re-evaluate their plans to comply with U.S. ballast water management (“BWM”) requirements in light of the U.S. Coast Guard’s type-approval of Optimarin AS’ UV-based treatment...more
Action Item: Although the ratification of the IMO’s Ballast Water Convention will not alter U.S. compliance obligations, industry stakeholders must now consider their obligations under international law to ensure compliance...more
Action Item: The creation of the National Jones Act Division of Enforcement (“JADE”) signals that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has made Jones Act outreach and enforcement a national priority. U.S. and foreign...more
Action Item: The U.S. Coast Guard released an updated version of the CG-2692 forms for reports of marine casualties, commercial diving casualties, and outer continental shelf-related casualties. Vessel owners and operators...more
Action Item: The recently published Subchapter M Final Rule establishes a comprehensive safety system and inspection program for towing vessels. Stakeholders involved in the operation or ownership of towing vessels should...more
Action Item: With less than 30 days remaining before the July 1, 2016, effective date of the new International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (“SOLAS”) Regulation VI/2 amendments, the International Maritime...more
Action Item: The recently published Well Control Rule will require significant changes to Blow-Out Preventer (“BOP”) systems and well operations. Stakeholders in offshore oil and gas operations should carefully evaluate the...more
Action Item: The National Marine Fisheries Services (“NMFS”) promulgated a final rule identifying critical habitats for the endangered Northern Atlantic Right Whale. Stakeholders involved in spill response, ocean and offshore...more
Action Item: A recent amendment to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (“SOLAS”) regarding requirements for providing certain cargo information, including weight, prior to loading has caused industry...more
2015 was an interesting year for the shipping industry. The dry bulk market had a very challenging 2015, with the Baltic Dry Index hitting new all-time lows. Based on various reports, the outlook for 2016 is not very...more
Action Item: The U.S. Coast Guard published a Final Rule increasing limits of liability for vessels, deepwater ports, and onshore facilities under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA 90”). The raise in liability limits also...more
In July 2015, the U.S. Coast Guard released the Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 01-15 (“NVIC”), titled Marine Casualty Reporting Procedures Guide with Associated Standard Interpretations. The purpose of the NVIC is...more
As with the world economy, the shipping markets are currently experiencing a major bout of volatility. The wide range of matters we are handling in our maritime law practice certainly reflects the current swings the shipping...more
10/16/2015
/ Anthem Blue Cross ,
BP ,
Coast Guard ,
Commercial Bankruptcy ,
Compliance ,
Cuba ,
Cyber Attacks ,
Cyber Crimes ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Breach ,
Data Security ,
Due Diligence ,
Environmental Policies ,
Estate Tax ,
GAO ,
Gift Tax ,
Hackers ,
Maritime Transport ,
Merger Agreements ,
Migrants ,
Non-Resident Aliens ,
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) ,
Regulatory Standards ,
Reporting Requirements ,
Risk Management ,
Shipping ,
Shipping Cargo ,
Sony ,
Syria ,
Tax Rates ,
Trade Policy
Action Item: The U.S. Coast Guard issued a new policy letter that streamlines the process for vessel owners and operators to apply for an extension to their compliance date for installing ballast water treatment systems....more
Action Item: The Coast Guard finalized its NVIC, published earlier this year in draft form, which endeavors to provide a uniform policy interpretation of when a casualty report is and is not required. Vessel owners,...more
Action Item: BSEE has proposed significant changes to BOP systems and well operations in light of the five-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon incident. Stakeholders in offshore oil and gas operations should carefully...more
Action Item: Violators of Emission Control Area requirements face hefty penalties under the Environmental Protection Agency’s new penalty policy. Owners and operators of vessels operating in the North American and U.S....more
1/22/2015
In this issue:
- A Sea Change Sweeps over Congress: A Look Back and a Look Ahead
- Shipping & International Trade Law (Second Edition 2015)
- Congress Passes Coast Guard Bill in Waning Hours of 113th...more
1/22/2015
/ Coast Guard ,
Cybersecurity ,
Jones Act ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Maritime Transport ,
New Legislation ,
Oil & Gas ,
Risk Assessment ,
Risk Management ,
Shipping ,
Trade Agreements
Action Item: Owners, operators, and other interested parties related to the operation of marine terminals should review and comment on a Coast Guard Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) addressing new requirements to...more
Action Item: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) issued a Notice to the Area Port of New Orleans Trade Community on November 12, 2014, announcing electronic online reporting of possible Jones Act violations. Owners and...more
On September 4, 2014 the federal district judge overseeing the multidistrict litigation resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill issued long-awaited rulings as to liability. The court concluded that BP is subject to...more
9/9/2014
/ BP ,
Clean Water Act ,
Deepwater Horizon ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Environmental Liability ,
Environmental Policies ,
Gross Negligence ,
Gulf Oil Spill ,
Multidistrict Litigation ,
Negligence ,
Willful Misconduct