 Sad news of seafarer's death in yet another Somali ransom case could accomplish what to date has not been possible: drive the passage of U.S. legislation aimed at helping mariners end the scourge of piracy.
I don't think that anyone would use the words "good timing" to ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 This week's Mailbag is heavy. All letters reference last week's lead editorial which raised the possibility of offshore "International Medical Islands" as one potential consequence of the socialized health care reforms now being considered by U.S. lawmakers. The piece elicited considerable response from MarEx readers. We knew that it would. ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) has introduced legislation in the U.S. House to provide immunity for U.S. commercial seafarers against the consequences of responding to a pirate attack.
The proposed legislation, introduced in response to the recent hijacking of the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates, during which ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Ports of Galveston County met on June 8 to review rate adjustments. Two-day formal rate hearing set for July 16 & 17; non-binding mediation hoped for as GALTEX pilot chief says that "discussions continuing with customers."
The multi-year rate increase proposed ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 Material Organization for Material Safety Data Sheets for tank ships carrying oils and oil products aboard tank ships now required.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday that it has submitted a Federal Register notice to the marine community containing guidance on new International Maritime Organization ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 A tanker runs around -- Captain and crew member drown -- Tanker Explodes.
• Tanker Runs Aground:
An oil tanker ran aground off the southern county of Pingtung, Taiwan, the government environmental agency said. Initial reports say that the grounding poses no threat of ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 Newly introduced concept and news vehicle for the MarEx e-newsletter is back with another podcast. Our fourth podcast recounts our June 11th lead editorial referencing legislative issues facing the maritime industry. Tune in and listen now.
All eyes are on two major stories inside the beltway this ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 The latest MarEx print edition, featuring another decidedly international theme on the cover, provides unique focus on the global shipbuilding markets, the Classification Societies that impact these businesses, innovative and green construction products - and so much more. As always, you get our now familiar regular features, too.
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 Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS), a leading insurer of ships and cargo, has released a study suggesting its clients adapt their approach to marine insurance as the threat of piracy off the Horn of Africa continues to grow. In addition, the study points out that crews entering dangerous waters ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 Piracy threat and scope of violence escalating.
Dutch freighter released, but Ukrainian crewmember killed:
The Somali pirates released the 2,575 ton Dutch cargo ship, M/V MARATHON, after two months of it being captured. But, a Ukrainian crewmember was shot and killed and another crewmember ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 Initiative is part of an ambitious multi-year resource plan that will improve the service's ability to meet the growing workload demands from the marine industry.
The coast guard is specifically hoping that retired, actively sailing mariners, or industry connected shoreside individuals are hired at one of five ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 GENOA-based classification society RINA has introduced new voluntary standards which will allow ships to connect to shore-based electricity while in port, reducing harbour air pollution. And at the same session of its Technical Committee it approved a series of new standards aimed at improving security standards for yachts.
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 National Maritime Center releases important Information for Mariners Regarding Vessel Security Officer (VSO) Training and Certification. Refresher course completion deadline extended to 1 July 2011.
The U.S. Coast Guard recently amended its regulations to implement the VSO training and certification amendments to the Seafarers' Training, Certification and ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 National Transportation Safety Board Acting Chairman Mark V. Rosenker today addressed the Western States Boating Administrators Association Conference (WSBAA) on advancing recreational boating safety on the nation's waterways.
Washington (24 June 2009): Rosenker pointed out that the Western States with a few exceptions have accomplished 75%-100% of ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 Report entitled, "Coast Guard: Observations on the Genesis and Progress of the Service's Modernization Program."
The U.S. Coast Guard is currently undertaking a major effort to update its command structure, support systems, and business practices. This effort, referred to as the modernization program, is intended to better ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 Proposed rule: Notice of Arrival on the Outer Continental Shelf would be required for owners and operators of United States flag and foreign flag floating facilities, mobile offshore drilling units and vessels.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Monday the publication of a notice of proposed ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 Obsolete breakbulk, 1956-built ammunition ship Suribachi brought a purchase price of $20,001.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration has sold a ship for recycling to International Shipbreaking Ltd. of Brownsville, Texas. The Suribachi, a breakbulk AE21 class ammunition ship, built in 1956 at the Bethlehem facility, ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 Fort Lauderdale, FL (June 11th, 2009): In an effort to determine the next generation of CBP's fleet of interceptor vessels, U. S. Customs and Border Protection recently took delivery of a 43-foot, advanced-design marine interceptor, designated as the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator vessel.
CBP Air and Marine ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Amelia Earhart paused its maiden MSC mission Tuesday to pay respect to the ship's namesake at the site where the famed aviator disappeared July 2, 1937. As the sun began to set over Howland Island in the Central Pacific Ocean, the ship's crew ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 Successful practical implementation of Shipdex T Protocol.
On June 23rd 2009 at SpecTec Italy Office in La Spezia, the first ShipdexT Trial was successfully performed with the participation of ShipdexT Founder Members.
The purpose of the Trial was to evaluate the first datasets produced ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
 The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing on Freight Transportation in America: Options for Improving the Nation's Network. Some highlights and quotes from that meeting are shown as follows:
Witness List
• Mr. Richard Roper, Director, Planning Department, ... Read More>>>Back to Top |
