U.S.-flag shipping

FMC investigating Spain’s alleged blocking of US ships

WASHINGTON — The Federal Maritime Commission has launched an investigation into allegations that Spain has been denying certain U.S-flagged vessels entry to its ports. Separately, Spanish authorities say a Danish-flagged ship was denied entry because it was carrying military weapons to Israel.

The FMC was informed Nov. 19 that Spain had denied entry to at least three vessels, including some that are participants in the U.S. Maritime Administration’s (MarAd) Maritime Security Program (MSP), the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fmc-investigating-spains-alleged-blocking-of-us-ships

OSG set to be acquired by Saltchuk

Shares in NYSE-listed U.S.-flag tanker and ATB operator Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. (OSG) were trading up this morning on news that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement that will see it acquired by Saltchuk Resources Inc. Saltchuk first made an offer for OSG in 2021, then made a new offer in January of this year.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, family-owned Saltchuk will commence a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of OSG it does not already own for $8.50...

https://www.marinelog.com/legal/shipping/osg-set-to-be-acquired-by-saltchuk/

Lawmaker introduces bill to guarantee more US-flag shipping

U.S. flag on ship entering New York

A bipartisan bill aimed at invigorating U.S.-flag shipping for international government cargo was introduced Friday by Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif.

The Rebuilding the United States-Flag International Fleet Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Bob Gibbs, R-Ohio, would restore a requirement that at least 75% of gross seaborne tonnage for international food aid programs be carried on US-flagged vessels.

The requirement, in place from 1985 to 2012, was repealed by the current law that lowered the minimum...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/lawmaker-introduces-bill-to-guarantee-more-us-flag-shipping

Feds dodging US-flag ship cargo rules, GAO reveals

US aid cargo being unloaded

Government watchdogs have found that a lack of oversight by maritime regulators is allowing federal agencies to evade laws requiring that certain amounts of international cargoes move on U.S.-flag ships.

A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, “Actions Needed to Enhance Cargo Preference Oversight,” which will be the focus of a congressional hearing Wednesday, concluded that without additional efforts by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to develop regulations and enforce...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/feds-dodging-us-flag-ship-cargo-rules-gao-reveals

FMC commissioner red-flags Congress on China’s container monopoly

The results of a yearlong investigation into China’s monopoly over ocean container production are being highlighted to lawmakers to illustrate the potential threat to the U.S. economy.

Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl Bentzel, who released a report on the investigation publicly on Wednesday, wants to spark a policy debate on the long-term implications of the country’s “complete reliance” on Chinese container manufacturing.

“Chinese container manufacturing clearly took steps together to suppress...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fmc-commissioner-red-flags-congress-on-chinas-container-monopoly

US maritime group fears waiver abuse by fuel shippers

A group representing U.S. domestic maritime interests has warned the Biden administration that the Jones Act waivers issued by the government to address fuel shortages could be used by shippers to make money off the crisis.

In a letter to President Joe Biden on Thursday, the American Maritime Partnership (AMP) urged the administration to reject any waiver of the Jones Act — a law that requires all cargoes moving domestically to be loaded into American vessels — unless U.S.-flag ships are...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/us-maritime-group-fears-waiver-abuse-by-fuel-shippers

US greenlights fuel transport by foreign ships

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has waived the Jones Act to allow a foreign shipping company to move domestic fuel supplies to help shore up fuel supplies on the U.S. East Coast.

“In the interest of national defense, I have approved a temporary and targeted waiver request to an individual company,” DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement late Wednesday.

“This waiver will help provide for the transport of oil products between the Gulf Coast and East Coast ports to ease...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/us-greenlights-fuel-transport-by-foreign-ships

US considering foreign tankers to move domestic fuel supplies

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is assessing whether American tankers can meet emergency fuel demands caused by the Colonial Pipeline shutdown or if foreign ships will be needed to help fill the gap.

“The Biden-Harris administration is continually assessing the impact of the ongoing Colonial Pipeline incident on fuel supplies for the East Coast and is monitoring reported shortages in parts of the Southeast,” DOT stated Tuesday. “This ongoing effort includes evaluating resources the...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/us-considering-foreign-tankers-to-move-domestic-fuel-supplies

Biden underscores support for Jones Act

President Joe Biden asserted “strong support” for the Jones Act as part of a “Made in America” executive order he plans to sign on Monday.

“The President will continue to be a strong advocate for the Jones Act and its mandate that only U.S.-flag vessels carry cargo between U.S. ports, which supports American production and America’s workers,” according to a summary of the order.

“With the signing of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Jones Act has also been affirmed as an...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/biden-underscores-support-for-jones-act

Watchdog: Lifting crude oil export ban dealt blow to Jones Act tankers

The 2015 repeal of a 40-year ban on the export of crude oil from the U.S. has left a sizable dent in the U.S. tanker industry, according to a U.S. watchdog agency.

A report released Friday by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) detailed how U.S. refineries – particularly those on the East Coast that had no access to cheaper transportation options such as pipelines – were left having to pay more to receive domestic crude oil on more expensive U.S.-flagged tankers and barges before the ban...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/watchdog-lifting-crude-oil-export-ban-dealt-blow-to-jones-act-tankers

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