This article summarizes the latest developments in the U.S. offshore wind market and then reviews some of the troubling waters ahead.
New Developments -
On February 25, 2022, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management...more
In the first week of his presidency, President Biden, by Executive Order, set a goal of doubling offshore wind by 2030—an ambitious goal to help put the United States on a path to meet its commitments under the Paris Climate...more
As the inveterate pundit Pogo once said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” This could very well be said for our disposable society, which uses and disposes tons of plastic in ways that are not wise and negatively impact...more
The end of 2020 has seen significant developments in legislation with implications for the maritime industry as we move from the Trump administration to the new Biden administration. This article provides an update on the...more
Now that the dust has settled from the chaotic 2020 Presidential and Congressional elections, it is time to consider what the new political landscape means for Washington, policy, and industry. In this helpful and informative...more
The energy industry has been at the forefront of the 2020 election, and energy development is an issue that polarizes Americans and our businesses and political leaders in choosing the path for the future. Energy developments...more
11/16/2020
/ Climate Change ,
Continuing Legal Education ,
Energy Market ,
Energy Policy ,
Energy Sector ,
Energy Tax Incentives ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Hydraulic Fracturing Study ,
National Security ,
Renewable Energy ,
Webinars
Stakeholders in offshore wind construction projects, including vessel owners and operators, project developers, and equipment manufacturers, should ensure that their plans for offshore wind development comply with the Jones...more
As the 116th Congress begins to slowly come to an end, and Congress leaves town without passing a relief bill during the summer recess, the maritime industry can benefit from several bills that have been added to this year’s...more
In response to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the Congressional Research Service released a report that stated global economic growth has declined by 3% to 6% in 2020 with a partial recovery predicted for 2021. Also, the...more
This article contains a brief review of the latest developments in offshore wind, including state laws and policies, federal laws and permitting practices, and the impact of COVID-19. The main issue we are now watching is the...more
In this semi-weekly update, Blank Rome Government Relations (“BRGR”) summarizes the current political climate in the United States as Congress, the Trump Administration, and various federal agencies rapidly respond to the...more
As of this writing on March 19, 2020, the President has declared a national emergency for the response to the coronavirus (“COVID-19”). Congress has enacted one eight-billion-dollar funding package to respond to COVID-19...more
Note from the Editor -
Happy (almost) spring! Every year seems to be a new adventure and a new challenge, and this year, on top of the dramatic new International Maritime Organization 2020 bunker regulations that have now...more
Now that the United States finally can envision steady winds blowing from the Atlantic Seaboard due to a pipeline of offshore wind farms on the horizon, the maritime industry can finally step up and earn some of the benefits....more
The US has finally made a commitment to offshore wind (OSW) development as a pipeline of OSW farms is beginning to appear off the Atlantic Coast. So far, the Department of the Interior has auctioned off 16 leases in...more
Note from the Editor -
Spring seems to be upon us, at last. Perhaps we have no right to complain about the weather, but that has never stopped us! It seems like our New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia offices...more
4/2/2019
/ Ballast Water Management ,
BOEM ,
Coast Guard ,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Federal Maritime Commission ,
Maritime Transport ,
Offshore Wind ,
Shipping ,
Trump Administration ,
Vessels ,
Wind Farm
The world has begun to recognise that plastic pollution in the ocean is not solely, or even mostly, a shipping problem. However, it is gratifying to see that the maritime community has stepped up to do what it can to address...more
Note from the Vice Chair -
Happy fall! As the seasons change, so do the issues confronting the maritime industry...or not. Over the past few years, several topics have consistently remained in the headlines and as a thorn...more
10/12/2018
/ Coast Guard ,
Cybersecurity ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Federal Arbitration Act ,
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) ,
Imports ,
Maritime Transport ,
Ports ,
Shipping ,
Tariffs ,
Trump Administration ,
USTR ,
Vessels
The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), operating under 2005 amendments to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), which authorized BOEM to issue leases for energy projects other than...more
We are seeing strong signs of a burgeoning offshore wind industry off the Atlantic Seaboard. While modest, the first offshore wind project, Deepwater Wind, is fully operational in Rhode Island state waters, bringing low-cost...more
What #MeToo Means for the Maritime World -
The #MeToo movement has shone new attention on issues for employers in the maritime industry seeking to ensure that seafarers and shore-based personnel can participate in a work...more
Ballast Water Management: The Conundrum Continues -
It has been about 15 months since the U.S. Coast Guard (“USCG”) type-approved the first three ballast water management systems (“BWMSs”) in December 2016; three more...more
5/3/2018
/ Ballast Water Management ,
Chapter 11 ,
Coast Guard ,
Commercial Bankruptcy ,
Cybersecurity ,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Drones ,
Email ,
Hurricane Harvey ,
Hurricane Irma ,
Jones Act ,
Maritime Transport ,
Outer Continental Shelf ,
Technology ,
Trump Administration ,
Vessels
Note from the Maritime Industry Team -
Large sectors of the maritime industry—especially offshore—remain in the doldrums, but it nonetheless has been a busy few months for our Blank Rome Maritime group. Our Washington,...more
10/17/2017
/ Coast Guard ,
Congressional Review Act ,
Customs and Border Protection ,
Cyber Attacks ,
Cybersecurity ,
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) ,
Hurricane Harvey ,
Hurricane Irma ,
Hurricane Maria ,
Jones Act ,
Maritime Transport ,
Risk Management ,
Shipping ,
Shipping Cargo ,
Trump Administration ,
Vessels
Welcome to the summer 2017 edition of Mainbrace. To say we live in interesting times would be a serious understatement. We read headlines on a daily basis that challenge traditionally accepted notions of how governments...more
6/20/2017
/ Anti-Corruption ,
Antiboycott Requirements ,
Arbitration ,
Coast Guard ,
Customs and Border Protection ,
Export Administration Regulations (EAR) ,
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) ,
International Arbitration ,
Jones Act ,
Punitive Damages ,
Vessels
Action Item: The FAA’s new Part 107 regulations concerning small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“sUAS”) went into effect August 29, 2016, boosting investments in the expanding commercial UAS market. Additional FAA regulations,...more