A new law was signed in California on 24th September 2020 for Members trading in California waters, which will bring the following increases in criminal penalties for oil spill related offences from 1st January 2021
USCG to begin accepting ERBs
07/10/2020
Amendments to MARPOL 73/78 permitting vessels to electronically record discharges, transfers, and other reportable operations required under Annexes I, II, V and VI in Electronic Record Books (ERB) entered into force on 1 October 2020
Effective immediately vessels scheduled to call at terminals on the Delaware River North of the Ben Franklin Bridge must report their arrival and departure air draft and deep draft to the Pilot's Association 72 hours before arrival at the pilot station
The week of June 1, 2020, sees additional steps in the sanctions targeting Venezuela and Iran
08/06/2020
Last week saw significant developments in the U.S. sanctions programs targeting Venezuela and Iran.
Sanctions: COSCO license update
20/12/2019
The UK P&I Club have received the following client alert from Freehill Hogan and Mahar, regarding a COSCO license update.
Sanctions: OFAC De-Lists Ventspils
20/12/2019
The UK P&I Club have received the following client alert from Freehill Hogan and Mahar, regarding the delisting of Ventspils by OFAC.
While no changes are anticipated in the US enforced Emission Control Areas (ECAs) on or after 1 January, 2020, US regions outside the ECAs will need to ensure compliance with the IMO's 2020 global 0.5% sulphur cap from 1 January, 2020.
US: Recent Sanction Developments
13/12/2019
The UK P&I Club have received the following update from Freehill, Hogan and Mahar LLP, regarding recent sanction developments.
The UK P&I Club has received the following update from Freehill Hogan and Mahar regarding an established winddown period for COSCO.
The following table lists countries which have imposed bans on vessels fitted with open-loop SOx scrubbers calling at their ports, and on the discharge of washwater from these scrubber systems within their port waters.
On September 1 2019, any vessel larger than 1,100 feet will no longer have open access to the Houston Ship Channel (HSC) absent approval by the newly authorized and independent Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports.
On Monday 5 August, 2019, President Trump issued Executive Order 13884, effectively blocking the assets of the Government of Venezuela in the United States or in the possession and control of any United States person.
The UK Club has received the following update from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) regarding BilgMon 488 Alarm and Oil Content Meters.
United States - Time Bars
22/07/2019
Like some other countries, the United States is a federal jurisdiction consisting of a national government and fifty states. Maritime law is almost exclusively federal statutory or judge-made law but state law is also relevant in certain respects.
A US seaman sued his employer/vessel owner for injuries suffered on board a dredge vessel, alleging various claims which included negligence under the US Jones Act
On May 8, 2019, exactly one year after President Trump announced that the United States was withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") and would re-impose the U.S
Freehill, Hogan and Mahar have just issued the latest client alert on Venezuelan Sanctions
Impending severe weather conditions in the New York and New Jersey region have forced the temporary closure of our New Jersey office on Monday 4th March.
Venezuelan Sanctions - Designations against PdVSA
California's ballast water exchange law
25/09/2018
Vessels calling in the United States can still use exchanges to treat ballast water prior to their respective deadlines for installing a USCG type-approved treatment system. However, failure to properly conduct exchanges can lead to substantial penalties, especially in California.