Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Bryant’s Maritime Blog –1 March 2011

Headlines: GAO – comparison of costs of freight shipments; UN – Resolution adopted imposing sanctions on Libyan authorities; EU – sanctions adopted against Libya; Arabian Sea – bulker hijacked by pirates; Somalia – bulk carrier released by pirates; Malaysia – tanker robbed; Senate – anti-piracy legislation to be advanced; Gulf of Mexico – marine mammals and LNG DWP; Inland Waterways Users Board – meeting; BOEMRE – OCS oil & gas safety workshop; BOEMRE – first new deepwater drilling permit approved; USCG – guidance re waterfront LNG facilities; and FMC – tour of 2014 Panama Canal Expansion project.

March 1, 2011

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Bryant’s Maritime Consulting - 4845 SW 91st Way - Gainesville, FL 32608-8135 - USA

Tel: 1-352-692-5493 – Email: dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com – Internet: http://brymar-consulting.com

Note: This blog is one section of the Bryant’s Maritime Consulting website. Visit the site for more extensive maritime regulatory information. Individual concerns may be addressed by retaining Dennis Bryant directly. 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. Planck’s Constant isn’t.

GAO – comparison of costs of freight shipments

clip_image004 The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued its report comparing the costs of road, rail, and waterways freight shipments that are absorbed by the government and not passed on to consumers. The analysis shows that on average additional freight service provided by trucks generated significantly more costs that were not passed on to consumers than the same amount of freight service provided by either rail or water. The report estimates that freight trucking costs that were not passed on to consumers were at least six times greater than rail costs and at least nine times greater than waterways costs per million ton-miles of freight transport. GAO-11-134 (2/28/11). Note: This report should be required reading for all persons in public policy positions who suffer from the mistaken impression that the US maritime industry is overly subsidized. The report clearly shows that the maritime industry receives minimal federal subsidies and that it the most efficient means of freight transportation by all terms of measurement: cost, safety, and environmental factors.

UN – Resolution adopted imposing sanctions on Libyan authorities

clip_image006 The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) issued a news release stating that it voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution imposing sanctions against Libyan authorities, slapping the country with an arms embargo and freezing the assets of its leaders, while referring the ongoing violent repression of civilian demonstrators to the International Criminal Court (ICC). (2/26/11).

EU – sanctions adopted against Libya

clip_image008 The Council of the European Union issued a press release stating that it adopted a decision implementing the UN Security Council Resolution on Libya and imposing additional restrictive measures against those responsible for the violent crackdown on the civilian population. (2/28/11).

Arabian Sea – bulker hijacked by pirates

clip_image010 The EU NAVFOR issued a news release stating that the bulk carrier Dover was hijacked by pirates in the Arabian Sea approximately 260 nautical miles northeast of Salalah, Oman. The condition of the crew of 23 is unknown. (2/28/11).

Somalia – bulk carrier released by pirates

clip_image010[1] The EU NAVFOR issued a news release stating that Somali pirates have released the bulk carrier Izumi, which is now making for a safe port. The condition of the crew of 20 is unknown. (2/28/11). Note: The Izumi was hijacked on October 10, 2010 in the Indian Ocean.

Malaysia – tanker robbed

clip_image012 The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued an incident alert stating that a tanker was boarded by robbers while anchored just off Pulau Mungging, Malaysia in the early morning hours of February 27. The robbers, armed with machetes and handguns stole two computers and some engine spare parts. The crew was not injured. (2/27/11).

Senate – anti-piracy legislation to be advanced

clip_image014 Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) issued a press release stating that he will advance anti-piracy legislative options to safeguard US economic and security interests off the coast of east Africa. Among options under consideration are establishment of a Pirate Exclusion Zone and an Expedited Legal Regime. (2/28/11). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend Jay Bolton.

Gulf of Mexico – marine mammals and LNG DWP

clip_image016 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a notice stating that it received a request for authorization for the take, by harassment, of marine mammals incidental to construction and operation of the Port Dolphin liquefied natural gas (LNG) deepwater port (DWP) in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. Comments should be submitted by March 31. 76 Fed. Reg. 11205 (March 1, 2011).

Inland Waterways Users Board – meeting

clip_image018 The Inland Waterways Users Board, sponsored by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), will meet in New Orleans on April 1. The Board will consider implementation of the Inland Marine Transportation System (IMTS) Investment Strategy report recommendations. 76 Fed. Reg. 11216 (March 1, 2011).

BOEMRE – OCS oil & gas safety workshop

clip_image020 The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued a notice announcing a workshop in New Orleans on March 15 to discuss the new regulatory requirements for operators to develop and implement Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS) for oil and gas and sulphur operations in the US outer continental shelf (OCS). 76 Fed. Reg. 11079 (March 1, 2011).

BOEMRE – first new deepwater drilling permit approved

clip_image020[1] The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued a press release stating that approved the first deepwater drilling permit to meet the agency’s new standards for safety and environmental protection. (2/28/11).

USCG – guidance re waterfront LNG facilities

clip_image022 The US Coast Guard issued a Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) providing guidance related to waterfront liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. The guidance is directed toward an owner or operator seeking approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build and operate a LNG facility and Coast Guard units as they assess LNG marine operations. NVIC 01-2011 (1/24/11).

FMC – tour of 2014 Panama Canal Expansion project

clip_image024 The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a news release stating that Chairman Richard Lidinsky returned from a tour of the 2014 Panama Canal Expansion project. The FMC has jurisdiction over all foreign waterborne commerce of the United States, including any Panama Canal surcharges that would be applied by ocean carriers on United States cargo interests. (2/28/11).

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

Dennis L. Bryant

Bryant’s Maritime Consulting

4845 SW 91st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135

USA

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

http://brymar-consulting.com

© Dennis L. Bryant – March 2011

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