Regulation

USCG updates policy on manning of inspected towing vessels

The US Coast Guard Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise posted a notice on 12 September to alert mariners that the manning section of TugSafe Central has been revised to clarify current guidance and policy regarding manning of inspected towing vessels.

Additionally, a new section entitled “Determining Manning Levels” was added to provide guidance and references for developing and evaluating manning levels for these vessels.

This guidance can assist vessel owners and operators as they...

https://safety4sea.com/uscg-updates-policy-on-manning-of-inspected-towing-vessels/

Key safety issues addressed at IMO CCC5

The 5th session of IMO’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC), held on 10-14 September 2018, addressed key shipping safety issues related to dangerous cargo. Among the highlights was that the Sub-Committee agreed amendments to IGF Code and IMSBC Code, as well as draft interim guidelines for the safety of ships powered by methanol.

–>IGF Code-related matters

Gas and other low-flashpoint fuels provide for a cleaner atmosphere as they emit very low levels of air pollutants, but...

https://safety4sea.com/key-safety-issues-addressed-at-imo-ccc5/

Parliament supports removal of tax barriers for shore power

Voting the Ertug report on the deployment of infrastructure for alternative fuels in the EU, the Transport committee of the European Parliament pointed out that taxation has a major impact on the price competitiveness of alternative fuels and underlined that disparities in energy taxation for shore-side supply for ships should be addressed.

European ports welcome the vote in the Parliament and believe that energy taxation on electricity has been a significant barrier for the uptake of...

https://safety4sea.com/parliament-supports-removal-of-tax-barriers-for-shore-power/

ESPO: More data harmonisation needed for less administrative burden

Despite welcoming the European Commission’s proposal for a Regulation establishing a European Maritime Single Window environment (COM2018 278 final), ESPO noted that it wants more ambition on the harmonisation of data definitions and data sets, while maintaining the existing reporting systems. This would further reduce the administrative burden and would facilitate trade.

As such, ESPO issued a position paper in response to the Commission’s proposal for a Regulation establishing a European...

https://safety4sea.com/espo-more-data-harmonisation-needed-for-less-administrative-burden/

+ More