Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 17 June 2010

Headlines: US – expanded economic sanctions against Iran; White House – escrow account to pay oil spill claims; White House – S. 3473 signed into law; USCG – harmonization of bulk hazardous materials regulations; Tampa – vessel fire; FMC – meeting; House – bill introduced to require payment to compensate oil spill victims; House – bill introduced to terminate drilling moratorium; Senate – bill introduced to terminate drilling moratorium; Senate – bill introduced to require emergency relief wells; Senate – hearing on financial responsibility for oil spill; Indonesia – pirate attacks – again; Panama Canal – submittal of BAPLIE file prior to arrival; UK – lorry fire on ro-ro ferry; and UK – oil spill response exercise in Suffolk.

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US – expanded economic sanctions against Iran

The US Department of the Treasury issued a news release announcing a new set of designations targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile programs implementing UNSCR 1929. Among other entities included in this announcement are five front companies for the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL). Treasury also issued a list identifying 27 vessels as property blocked because of their connection to IRISL and updating entries for 71 already-blocked IRISL vessels to identify new names given to those vessels by IRISL. All transactions involving any of the designees and any US person are prohibited and any assets the designees may have under US jurisdiction are frozen. (6/16/10).

White House – escrow account to pay oil spill claims

The White House issued a Fact Sheet explaining that BP is establishing a $20 billion escrow account to pay claims arising from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. An independent claims administrator will review claims and administer disbursements from the account. (6/16/10).

White House – S. 3473 signed into law

The White House issued a news release stating that S. 3473 has been signed into law. It authorizes advances from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill up to a total amount of $1 billion. (6/15/10).

USCG – harmonization of bulk solid hazardous materials regulations

The US Coast Guard proposes to harmonize its regulations with IMO amendments to Chapter VI and Chapter VII of the SOLAS Convention that make the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code mandatory. The amendments require that all vessels subject to SOLAS and carrying solid cargoes other than grain must comply with the IMSBC Code. The Coast Guard proposes to amend its regulations governing carriage of solid hazardous materials in bulk to allow use of the IMSBC Code as an equivalent form of compliance for all domestic and foreign vessels operating in US navigable waters. The proposal would also expand the list of solid hazardous materials authorized for bulk transportation by vessel and include special handling procedures based on the IMSBC Code and existing special permits. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by July 19. 75 Fed. Reg. 34573 (June 17, 2010).

Tampa – vessel fire

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it is responding to a fire on a vessel moored in the Port of Tampa. The vessel’s conveyor belt reportedly caught fire during cargo unloading operations. No injuries have been reported. (6/16/10).

FMC – meeting

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a notice stating that the Commission will meet in Washington, DC on June 23. In its open session, the FMC will consider complaints from individual shippers of household goods and automobiles. In its closed session, the FMC will consider vessel capacity and equipment availability, as well as passenger vessel financial responsibility. (6/16/10).

House – bill introduced to require payment to compensate oil spill victims

Representative Kagen (D-WI) introduced the Oil Spill Responsibility Act of 2010 (H.R. 5520) to require immediate payment by BP p.l.c to the United States of an amount for use to compensate all affected persons for removal costs and damages arising from the explosion and sinking of the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon, to make that amount available to the Secretary of the Interior to pay such compensation, and for other purposes. (6/14/10).

House – bill introduced to terminate drilling moratorium

Representative Olson (R-TX) introduced a bill (H.R. 5525) to terminate the moratorium on deepwater drilling issued by the Secretary of the Interior. (6/15/10).

Senate – bill introduced to terminate drilling moratorium

Senator Vitter (R-LA) introduced a bill (S. 3489) to terminate the moratorium on deepwater drilling issued by the Secretary of the Interior. Official text of this bill is not yet available. (6/15/10).

Senate – bill introduced to require emergency relief wells

Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced a bill (S. 3492) to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require the drilling of emergency relief wells, and for other purposes. Official text of this bill is not yet available. (6/15/10).

Senate – hearing on financial responsibility for oil spill

The Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation conducted a hearing on the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: Ensuring a Financially Responsible Recovery. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) testified regarding the need to ensure that the taxpayer does not end up paying for the oil spill damages. Mr. Darryl Willis, BP America, testified regarding the company’s commitment to pay legitimate claims. Mr. Steve Newman, Transocean, testified that his company was merely a contractor. Mr. Craig Bennett, US Coast Guard, testified concerning operation of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF). Ms. Susan Fleming, US Government Accountability Office, testified the highly variable nature of damages from oil spills. (6/16/10).

Indonesia – pirate attacks – again

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued an Incident Alert stating that pirates have staged two more attacks on ships off Pulau Subi Besar, Indonesia. In the early hours of June 15, pirates boarded a container ship underway 40 miles off the island. They threatened the crew and stole a number of personal items. In the early hours of June 15, pirates boarded a container ship underway 35 miles off the island. They again threatened the crew and stole a number of personal items. Masters operating in the area are encouraged to exercise enhanced vigilance. (6/16/10).

Panama Canal – submittal of BAPLIE file prior to arrival

The Panama Canal Authority issued an Advisory stating that, effective July 1, 2010, all full container vessels arriving at Panama Canal water for transit will be required to submit their Bayplan/stowage plan occupied and empty locations message (BAPLIE file) prior to arrival, in addition to the cargo declaration. A-09-2010 (6/15/10).

UK – lorry fire on ro-ro ferry

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice stating that a ro-ro ferry reported a fire in a refrigerated lorry on one of its vehicle decks. The vehicle deck has been drenched and the fire reportedly is under control. A tug is alongside rendering assistance. (6/16/10).

UK – oil spill response exercise in Suffolk

The UK Environment Agency issued a news release stating that, on June 17, it will conduct a multi-agency oil spill response exercise in Suffolk. (6/16/10).

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

Dennis L. Bryant

Bryant’s Maritime Consulting

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

USA

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

http://brymar-consulting.com

© Dennis L. Bryant – June 2010

Redistribution permitted with attribution