regulations

AWO to Newsom: Pull plug on “dangerous and draconian” CARB harbor craft rule amendment

n the latest round of a long running battle, the American Waterways Operators (AWO) has written California Gov. Gavin Newsom asking him to withdraw the 2022 amendments to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Commercial Harbor Craft Rule.

The AWO letter follows CARB’s withdrawal of its requests to enforce emissions rules for California’s truck and rail industries, leaving only harbor craft subject to CARB’s stringent regulations

Following is the text of the AWO letter

Dear Governor Newsom:

I am...

https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/awo-to-newsom-pull-plug-on-dangerous-and-draconian-carb-harbor-craft-rule-amendment/

New push for IMO levy on GHG emissions

By as early as 2027, ship operators could face an IMO-imposed charge per tonne of CO2 emitted. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released the text of a proposal that has been submitted to an IMO working group. Supported by the ICS and 47 governments, it calls for an annual contribution by ships, per tonne of GHG emitted, to multi-billion-dollar International Maritime Organization (IMO) fund.

According to the ICS, “If fit-for-purpose regulations are approved by IMO Member States in...

https://www.marinelog.com/legal/environment/new-push-for-imo-levy-on-ghg-emissions/

EPA approves most of controversial CARB rule waiver request

Will the California Air Resources Board’s controversial Commercial Harbor Craft Rule lead to the building of more cutting edge zero-emission vessels, or will it create hazardous conditions on existing vessels retrofitted to meet its requirements? Either way, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has now approved the majority of CARB’s waiver request for the rule, including most of the zero-emission requirements.

This regulation “paves the way for zero-emissions harbor craft such as...

https://www.marinelog.com/news/epa-approves-most-of-controversial-carb-rule-waiver-request/

EPA finalizes VIDA incidental discharge standards

In a regulatory action that has been long in the works, the U.S. Envionmental Protection Administration has released the pre-publication version of its final rule to establish Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance as directed by the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, or VIDA, which was enacted in 2018.

The national standards of performance cover incidental discharges from non-recreational, non-Armed Forces vessels 79 feet in length and above, as well as ballast water only...

https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/epa-finalizes-vida-incidental-discharge-standards/

Maersk Line Limited reaches settlement in whistleblower case

As part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor in a whistleblower case, Maersk’s U.S.-flag subsidiary, Maersk Line Limited is to change its safety reporting policies and compensate a seaman that it terminated after he reported safety concerns to the U.S. Coast Guard without first notifying the company.

The Department of Labor says that these actions follow a three-day hearing in June 2024 in which Maersk challenged the findings of a whistleblower investigation by the department’s...

https://www.marinelog.com/legal/maersk-line-limited-reaches-settlement-in-whistleblower-case/

Liberian Registry hires Giorgio De Sciora for key role

The Liberian Registry has named Captain Giorgio De Sciora its new vice president of regulations and standards, maritime operations.

In this position, De Sciora will direct and oversee the application of new and amended international maritime regulations and all related programs implemented by the administration.

With over 30 years of industry experience and expertise, including at Carnival Cruise Line, he will also be instrumental in leading the expansion of Liberia’s Passenger Ship program by...

https://www.marinelog.com/passenger/cruiseships/liberian-registry-hires-giorgio-de-sciora-for-key-role/

Ship owners face hefty emission bills under EU-ETS, warns Oceanly

Oceanly chart

The integration of the shipping sector into the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) brings substantial costs and compliance challenges for ship owners and Rapallo, Italy, headquartered fleet performance solutions specialist Oceanly warns that, without proper management, owners could face considerable financial liabilities.

As from January 1, 2024, ship owners are required to purchase emission allowances for the CO2 their vessels emit. With the current EU Allowance (EUA) price hoverin...

https://www.marinelog.com/legal/compliance/ship-owners-face-hefty-emission-bills-under-eu-ets-warns-oceanly/

Industry makes progress in fight against dangerous CARB DPF requirement

In a major milestone for mariner safety in California, the California Senate Transportation Committee has voted 14-0 in favor of a measure that would prevent the California Air Resources Board (CARB) from enforcing a potentially deadly requirement in its harbor craft regulations. That requirement would force operators to install unproven and uncertified diesel particulate filters (DPF), widely seen as a fire hazard. The U.S. Coast Guard has already said that it won’t enforce the CARB DPF...

https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/industry-makes-progress-in-fight-against-dangerous-carb-dpf-requirement/

FMC launches probe of Canadian ballast water regs

Pending Canadian ballast water management regulations have been slammed as “the epitome of an unfair business practice,” by the U.S. based Lake Carriers Association (LCA), which filed a petition asking the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to investigate the issue back in March 2020.

The FMC responded and today launched an investigation to determine if pending Canadian regulations governing ballast water management systems of ships in the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes trade have a disparate effect on...

https://www.marinelog.com/legal/regulations/fmc-launches-probe-of-canadian-ballast-water-regs/

EC’s Union Database plan could limit biofuel availability to ships

The European Union is setting up a Union Database (UDB) of biofuels. The database aims to ensure the traceability of liquid and gaseous biofuels that are eligible for being counted towards the share of renewable energy in the transportation sector in any EU member state. One aspect of the European Commission’s plans for the UDB is causing “deep concerns” to both the Methanol Institute (MI) and SEA-LNG, key representatives of the methanol and liquefied natural gas (LNG) industries respectively,,

T...

https://www.marinelog.com/legal/environment/ecs-union-database-plan-could-limit-biofuel-availability-to-ships/

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