March 3, 2009
Note: Much of the highlighted text in this newsletter constitutes links to Internet sites providing more detailed information. Links on this page may be in PDF format, requiring use of Adobe Acrobat Reader. If links become broken (generally due to length of URL), it is recommended that you go to our Web site – Bryant’s Maritime Blog – which contains the same information in HTML format.
USCG – LORAN PEIS
The US Coast Guard issued a notice reminding stakeholders of the release of the draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) relating to the Long Range Aids to Navigation (LORAN) program. Among the alternatives under consideration are to decommission the LORAN-C program or to upgrade and expand it to an electronic LORAN (eLORAN) system. The comment period on the PEIS ends on March 9. (3/2/09).
IMO – accession to Ballast Water Convention by Antigua and Barbuda and by Albania
The IMO issued circulars advising that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda the Government of Albania deposited their instruments of accession to the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship’s Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004. The Convention will enter into force 12 months after it has been adopted by not less than 30 States, the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 35% of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant fleet. There are, at present, 18 Contracting States, representing approximately 15.36% of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping. Note: The proliferation of national and sub-national ballast water management requirements will continue until the owners and operators of merchant vessels lobby their governments to ratify the Ballast Water Convention. BWM.1/Circ.8 (1/7/09). BWM.1/Circ.9 (1/19/09).
IMO – meeting of GESAMP-Ballast Water Working Group
The IMO issued a circular announcing that the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection – Ballast Water Working Group (GESAMP-BWWG) will meet on 23-27 March to consider proposals for approval of ballast water management systems that make use of active substances. BWM.2/Circ.15/Add.1 (2/2/09).
IMO – security guidelines for non-SOLAS vessels
The IMO issued a circular forwarding non-mandatory guidelines on security aspects of the operation of vessels which do not fall within the scope of SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code. MSC.1/Circ.1283 (12/22/08).
Singapore – bunkering standard
The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular advising that, effective 1 July, all bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators, and bunker surveyors will be required to comply with Singapore Standard for Bunkering SS 600 : 2008. Port Marine Circular No. 3 of 2009 (3/1/09).
If you have questions regarding the above items, please contact the editor:
Dennis L. Bryant
Bryant’s Maritime Blog
4845 SW 91st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135
USA
1-352-692-5493
dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com
http://bryantsmaritimeblog.blogspot.com
© Dennis L. Bryant – March 2009
Redistribution permitted with attribution
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