Thursday, June 25, 2009

MarEx eNewsletter - June 25, 2009

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June 25th, 2009 Vol. 7, No. 25
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Timing is Everything

Timing is Everything

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 ...

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MarEx Mailbag:

MarEx Mailbag:

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. ...

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Bill Introduced to Limit Liability for U.S. Mariners in Piracy Situations

Bill Introduced to Limit Liability for U.S. Mariners in Piracy Situations

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 ...

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GALTEX Rate Increase Proposal Heads for Climax; Two Sides "Very Far Apart"

GALTEX Rate Increase Proposal Heads for Climax; Two Sides

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 ...

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Coast Guard Announces new IMO Requirement

Coast Guard Announces new IMO Requirement

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 ...

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Maritime Incidents:

Maritime Incidents:

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 ...

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MarEx Podcast Returns

MarEx Podcast Returns

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 ...

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MarEx May/June PRINT Edition is in Distribution!

MarEx May/June PRINT Edition is in Distribution!

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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Piracy Study Highlights How Shipowners Can Respond to Increased Risk

Piracy Study Highlights How Shipowners Can Respond to Increased Risk

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 ...

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Somali Pirates Kill Crewmember & Torch Seychelles Ship

Somali Pirates Kill Crewmember & Torch Seychelles Ship

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 ...

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Coast Guard Recruiting 14 Experienced Marine Professionals

Coast Guard Recruiting 14 Experienced Marine Professionals

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 ...

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RINA Launches New Environmental and Security Standards

RINA Launches New Environmental and Security Standards

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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Coast Guard Amended Regulations to Implement VSO Training & Certification

Coast Guard Amended Regulations to Implement VSO Training & Certification

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 ...

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NTSB Acting Chairman Emphasizes Safety for Recreational Boating

NTSB Acting Chairman Emphasizes Safety for Recreational Boating

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 ...

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GAO: New Report on Coast Guard Modernization Program

GAO: New Report on Coast Guard Modernization Program

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 ...

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Coast Guard Announces Publication of Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Coast Guard Announces Publication of Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

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 ...

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James River Fleet Ship Sold for Recycling

James River Fleet Ship Sold for Recycling

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, ...

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CBP Launches Technology Demonstrator Vessel

CBP Launches Technology Demonstrator Vessel

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 ...

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USNS Amelia Earhart's Crew Honors Ship's Namesake at Howland Island

USNS Amelia Earhart's Crew Honors Ship's Namesake at Howland Island

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 ...

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SHIPDEX Workgroup News

SHIPDEX Workgroup News

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 ...

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Freight Transportation In America: Options For Improving The Nation's Network

Freight Transportation In America: Options For Improving The Nation's Network

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, ...

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