EU Parliament boosts ‘polluter pays’ principle for ship waste management

On 9 October, the Transport Committee of the European Parliament adopted the Meissner report on the Port Reception Facilities and gave a mandate to the Rapporteur to start negotiations with the Council to finalise the text of the new law.

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) welcomed particularly the proposal to strengthen the ‘polluter pays’ principle by discouraging the delivery of unreasonable quantities of garbage, including dangerous waste, for a fixed fee, noting that this proposal...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-parliament-boosts-polluter-pays-principle-for-ship-waste-management/

What’s on the agenda for MEPC 73?

The 73rd session of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee will take place on 22-26 October 2018, at IMO Headquarters in London, focusing on key environmental challenges facing the shipping industry. Among the key topics on the agenda are the hot issues of the GHG reduction from ships and 2020 sulphur cap, as well as marine litter and BWM Convention.

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships

​The MEPC is expected to develop and agree a programme of actions to implement the initial IM...

https://safety4sea.com/whats-on-the-agenda-for-mepc-73/

IMO focuses on effective implementation of treaties at national level

As part of its efforts to improve the way its treaties and conventions are implemented at a national level, the IMO offered an intensive 5-day workshop for lawyers and legislative drafters at IMO Headquarters, on 1-5 October, to provide them with the tools they need to understand the treaties and how these are developed and adopted.

For treaties implementation, domestic implementing legislation is required, but audits carried out by IMO reveal that, in many countries, it either doesn’t exist or...

https://safety4sea.com/imo-focuses-on-effective-implementation-of-treaties-at-national-level/

Red Ensign Group Technical Forum explores regulatory challenges

The Red Ensign Group Technical Forum, being held on 9-10 October in Southampton, UK, and including delegates from the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey and the UK, is discussing the mechanics of sharing surveyor resources and exploring challenges of regulation.

The Forum is expected to work on updates on the Electronic Oil Record Book trial, a review of enhanced authorisation, technical interpretations and electronic certificates. The new Red Ensign Yacht Code which comes...

https://safety4sea.com/red-ensign-group-technical-forum-explores-regulatory-challenges/

US EPA delays introduction of VGP 3.0 until March 2019

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has further delayed the release of its new Vessel General Permit (VGP 3.0), which was originally scheduled to be issued for comment in late 2017, but is now expected to be made available in March 2019 – with at least a 30-day comment period, according to a regulatory update by ABS.

During the extended delay period, the EPA is administratively continuing the current VGP (VGP 2.0), until VGP 3.0 enters into force. Namely:

  • Vessels which are currently...

https://safety4sea.com/us-epa-delays-introduction-of-vgp-3-0-until-march-2019/

New regulations in effect in Chittagong Port to improve navigational safety

Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) published a new directive in order to improve navigational safety in the port. This directive came after the number of navigational incidents in recent years increased.

Responding to the increasing number of navigational incidents, accidents and near-misses in recent years, especially in the Chittagong outer anchorage, due to rising maritime traffic in the area, the local authority established new regulations and recommendations which are in effect from October 1,...

https://safety4sea.com/new-regulations-in-effect-in-chittagong-port-to-improve-navigational-safety/