Blog – 3 April 2009

April 3, 2009

Bryant’s Maritime Blog

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. Comments on these postings are encouraged and may be made by clicking the envelope that appears at the end of each posting. Be aware that the daily blog entry is a single posting, even though it contains a number of individual items. Improvements in this blog site, while slow, are due to the assistance of Kim Nettles. She rapidly points me to the improvements. I, with the speed of a glacier, implement them. Please bear with me.

GSA – DHS Headquarters consolidation project

The General Services Administration (GSA) issued a notice stating that it issued a Record of Decision (ROD) to implement Campus Redevelopment Alternative 5 (as defined in the final environmental impact statement) for the consolidation of the Headquarters of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the St. Elizabeths facility in Southeast Washington, DC. 74 Fed. Reg. 15272 (April 3, 2009).

STB – acquisition by Holland America Line

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) issued a notice stating that it has tentatively approved acquisition by Holland America Line, Inc. of Royal Hyway Tours, Inc. (a motor passenger carrier regulated by the STB). The acquisition will receive final STB approval if no opposing comments are filed by May 15. 74 Fed. Reg. 15321 (April 3, 2009).

IMO – meeting re seafarer shortage and piracy

The IMO issued a news release stating that it recently hosted a meeting with industry representatives to review developments related to the growing shortage of seafarers worldwide and the situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in waters off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. (4/2/09).

IMO – competent authorities re carriage of grain & solid bulk cargoes

The IMO issued a circular providing an updated list of designated competent authorities responsible for the safe carriage of grain and solid bulk cargo. BC.1/Circ.66 (2/6/09).

IMO – Panama accedes to Bunker Convention

The IMO issued a circular advising that the Republic of Panama deposited its instrument of accession to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001. The Convention will enter into force for Panama on 17 May. There are now 35 Contracting States to the Convention, representing approximately 74.26% of the gross tonnage of the world’s shipping fleet. Bunkers.1/Circ.24 (2/18/09).

If you have questions regarding the above items, please contact the editor:

Dennis L. Bryant

Bryant’s Maritime Blog

4845 SW 91^st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135

USA

1-352-692-5493
dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com

http://bryantsmaritimeblog.blogspot.com

© Dennis L. Bryant – April 2009

Redistribution permitted with attribution