EC Extends State Aid for Shipbuilding
The European Commission has prolonged the Framework on state aid rules for shipbuilding for three more years, until 31 December 2011. This extension follows an earlier extension in 2006 (see IP/06/1452). The Commission has concluded that the Framework, which came into effect on 1 January 2004 (see IP/03/1607)...
Liability when Both Vessels Violate COLREGS
The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the determination of the federal district court regarding allocation of liability in a collision case where both ships had violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). In the instant case, defendant’s tanker was entering Puget Sound...
Coos Bay – Jordan Cove LNG Project Update
The US Coast Guard completed its Waterway Suitability Report for the proposed Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility to be located in Coos Bay, Oregon. The Report finds that additional measures will be necessary to responsibly manage the navigation, safety, and security risks associated with this project...
Meeting to Discuss Cruise Ship Accessibility
The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) will meet in Washington, DC on August 11 to develop accessibility guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for passenger vessels. The meeting will focus on possible approaches and methodologies for the...
Changes to ACE Secure Data Portal
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a notice stating that it has changed the terms and conditions for account access of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) secure data portal. The changes relate to the period of portal inactivity that will result in termination of access to...
NOAA & FWS: Ship Reporting System Proposed
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are proposing regulations for a ship reporting system for waters of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, located at the northwest end of the Hawaiian Island chain. This action would implement measures adopted by the IMO...
Gas Discovery in the Barents Sea
During the drilling of exploration well 7226/2-1 in the Barents Sea StatoilHydro, the operator of the licence, has struck gas in a prospect named Ververis. The drilling in 347 metres of water was performed by the Polar Pioneer drilling rig. This is the 13th discovery on the Norwegian continental...
Donjon Removes Rail Bridge Span
Putting its heavy-lift capability to the test, on June 24, 2008, Donjon Marine Co., Inc. removed an old, rusted, 1,000-ton Amtrak rail bridge span located across the Thames River in New London, Connecticut. Donjon’s Chesapeake 1000, the largest floating heavy-lift crane on the East...
Dryship Fleet Renewal Continues
DryShips Inc. a global provider of marine transportation services for drybulk cargoes entered into the following agreements: Vessel DisposalsThe Company has entered into agreements to sell:- The Panamax vessel...
Superior Energy Christens Liftboat
Superior Energy Services’ Marine Services Division christened its new 175-ft class liftboat, the Superior Future, on Friday, June 27 at Marine Industrial Fabrication at 4912 Marina Rd., New Iberia, La. Connie Babin, Superior’s Marine Services Division traffic coordinator, performed the christening...
Maritime News 
