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Status of US Ports (9/5/08)

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

No significant changes in the security status of US ports have been brought to our attention in the preceding 24 hours. For a summary of maritime security requirements in the United States, access the Port Security page of our Web site - Maritime Spotlight - Port Security.

Australia – Bunkers Convention

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a notice stating that the Government of Australia has enacted legislation to give effect to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001. Subordinate legislation will now be prepared. Once that is completed, the Government will formally ratify the Convention, which is expected to enter into force for Australia in early 2009.

Marine Notice 16/2008 (9/4/08).

Australia – MARPOL Annex IV – sewage

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a notice reminding owners, operators, and masters that the requirements of MARPOL Annex IV relating to prevention of pollution by sewage from ships comes into effect on 27 September 2008 for all ships engaged on international voyages of 400 gross tonnage and above and ships of less than 400 gross tonnage certified to carry more than 15 persons.

Marine Notice 17/2008 (9/4/08).

CMTS – National Strategy for the Marine Transportation System

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The US Committee on the Marine Transportation System (CMTS) released the

National Strategy for the Marine Transportation System. In addition to providing an overview of the various components of the system (e.g., waterways, ports, intermodal connections, vessels, and users), it recommends examination of alternative approaches to funding important infrastructure. Possible approaches include fees, taxes, and general revenue contributions. One possible method might include congestion pricing. The various alternatives must consider environmental and health costs, promotion of economic efficiency, and the avoidance of unfair competitive disadvantages. (9/4/08).

EPA – standards for gasoline-powered engines

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a

news release discussing air emission standards for gasoline-powered engines for marine vessels and other uses. The official text of the final rule will be published in the Federal Register soon. (9/4/08).

FMC – meeting

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a

news release stating that it will meet on September 11. Topics for the open portion of the meeting include the South Florida Container Terminal Cooperative Working Agreement and Anchor Shipping v. Alianca. (9/4/08).

Louisiana, Alabama & Mississippi waterways – update

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a

Marine Safety Bulletin discussing the status of various waterways in Southeast Louisiana. It also issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin discussing the status of various waterways in Alabama and Mississippi. The status of specific waterways are subject to change. (9/4/08).

NOAA – Gulf of Maine Atlantic salmon

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposes to designate critical habitat for the Gulf of Maine distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic salmon. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by November 4.

73 Fed. Reg. 51747 (September 5, 2008).

Sault Ste. Marie – maritime security exercise

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a

press release stating that, on September 9-11, various federal, state, local, and private sector stakeholders will conduct a maritime security exercise in the Sault Ste. Marie area. (9/4/08).

Shipping Coordinating Committee – meeting

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The Shipping Coordinating Committee, sponsored by the US Department of State, will meet in Washington, DC on September 17. The purpose of the meeting is to prepare for the upcoming session of the IMO Subcommittee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargos, and Containers.

73 Fed. Reg. 51876 (September 5, 2008).

Shipping Coordinating Committee – meeting

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The Shipping Coordinating Committee, sponsored by the US Department of State, will meet in Washington, DC on September 25. The purpose of the meeting is to prepare for the upcoming session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC).

73 Fed. Reg. 51877 (September 5, 2008).

US East Coast – preparations for T/S Hanna

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a

press release stating that Port Condition Yankee has been set for the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick due to the expected approach of Tropical Storm Hanna. A second press release states that Port Condition Yankee has also been set for the Ports of Wilmington and Morehead City. (9/4/08).

USCG – crew rescued after ship grounds

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a

press release stating that it rescued the eight crewmembers of a freighter that grounded in the Turks and Caicos Islands. (9/4/08).

USN – Hunters Point Shipyard

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The Department of the Navy issued a notice stating that it intends to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement for the disposal and reuse of Hunters Point Shipyard. A public scoping meeting will be held in San Francisco on September 23.

73 Fed. Reg. 51797 (September 5, 2008).

Australia – report on grounding

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued the report of its investigation of the grounding of a bulk carrier at Gladstone, Queensland on 2 December 2007. The ship grounded on a charted shoal while attempting to berth. The master was having difficulty with the berthing process due to tidal and wind factors. Bridge resource management principles were not being followed and the persons on the bridge lost situational awareness.

MAIR 248 (9/3/08).

CBP – SFI trial in Singapore

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a

news release stating that it and the Government of Singapore have agreed to not proceed with the Secure Freight Initiative (SFI) trial in the Port of Singapore. The focus instead will be on enhancing container and trade security through risk management and a total supply chain security approach, rather than the resource-intensive 100% scanning effort of SFI. (8/21/08).

EU – research and innovation

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The European Union issued a

press release discussing European research and innovation is support of protecting marine eco-systems and developing sustainable maritime activities. It also issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). (9/3/08).

Florida – port conditions increased

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a

press release stating that port conditions for the Ports of Palm Beach and Fort Pierce have been increased to X-RAY due to the expected passage of Tropical Storm Hanna. (9/2/08).

IMO – ocean fertilization

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

On behalf of the London Convention, the IMO posted the report of the Legal and Intersessional Correspondence Group on Ocean Fertilization.

LC 30/4 (7/25/08).

MARAD – Voluntary Tanker Agreement

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a notice stating that it adopted the final text of the Voluntary Tanker Agreement. The final text is the same as that proposed previously.

73 Fed. Reg. 51692 (September 4, 2008).

Mobile & Pascagoula – update

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a

press release stating that the Port of Mobile is open to maritime traffic with a draft of 35 feet or less. The Port of Pascagoula is open to traffic with a draft of 12 feet or less. (9/3/08).

New Orleans – update

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a

Marine Safety Bulletin (MSB) stating that Captain of the Port Zone New Orleans remains at Port Condition ZULU. However, the Lower Mississippi River is open to shallow draft traffic (less than 12 feet draft) from Mile Marker 303 to Mile Marker 88 (in the vicinity of Algiers Lock). A second MSB states that a safety zone has been established in the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal to protect mariners from hazards associated with salvage operations. Entry into the IHNC is prohibited. A third MSB states that Port Condition ZULU has been lifted for all vessel traffic regardless of draft for the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker 20 Below Head of Passes to Mile Marker 303 Above Head of Passes. Vessels transiting from the Southwest Pass sea buoy to Mile Marker 20 Below Head of Passes are limited to a draft of 30 feet or less. (9/3/08).

NMSAC – meeting

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Washington, DC on September 18.

73 Fed. Reg. 51643 (September 4, 2008).

NOAA – three ice seal species

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a notice stating that it received a petition to list three ice seal species as threatened or endangered. Comments on the petition should be submitted by November 3.

73 Fed. Reg. 51615 (September 4, 2008).

USCG – ship channel information

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The US Coast Guard established a

Ship Channel Information site, with the latest available information on the condition of navigation channels from Mobile, Alabama to Corpus Christi, Texas. (9/3/08).

USCG – VTS Morgan City re-established

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:07 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a

press release stating that the vessel traffic service (VTS) at Morgan City, Louisiana has been re-established following passage of Hurricane Gustav. (9/3/08).