Approves New

GPA Marks Gains in the Fiscal Year

Double-digit growth in TEUs, autos The Georgia Ports Authority has announced  that the authority posted increases across all reporting categories for the first two months of fiscal year 2013. At its Oct. 8 meeting, the GPA board heard a report from Executive Director Curtis Foltz detailing 5.6 percent growth in tonnage across July and August, with 13.8 percent growth in total TEUs for the month of August. That’s an increase of 240,000 tons over the same two months in FY2012. “Our deepwater ports achieved a good start for fiscal year 2013, despite a slow national economy,” Foltz said. “The ports of Savannah and Brunswick have established solid momentum to start our fiscal year, which translates into increased jobs and economic opportunities throughout our region.” The Port of Savannah handled 522,744 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) over the first nine weeks of the fiscal year, for a growth of 4.4 percent. August accounted for 270,614 TEUs, the GPA’s second-highest month for TEUs, behind only October 2010. In tandem with the strong growth in tonnage, GPA rail cargo also saw a boost in numbers. Growth in intermodal activity was significant during August, and led to a record month, handling 29,364 intermodal rail moves. “Greater reliance on rail movement is a strategic initiative of the GPA, allowing the Port of Savannah to increase capacity without putting more trucks on the road

OTC Approves New Construction Rules

Two new Rule-sets approved at the first Offshore Technical Committee (OTC) held at LR's Global Technology Centre in Singapore. Lloyd's Register say that these two new rule-sets will be made public later this month (May 2013). The Floating Offshore Installations at a Fixed Location 2013 Rules and the Mobile Offshore Unit 2013 Rules, contain several changes from previous versions in order to improve usability, reflect industry best practice, new novel designs and legislative changes.

MARAD Approves Transfer and Sale of Vessels

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a Bulletin stating that it has approved three applications under Section 9 of the Shipping Act, 1916. Sales of the liquid sulfur carrier MARINE DUVALL and the tanker PATRIOT for scraping were approved. Transfer of the offshore drilling unit PRIDE WEST VIRGINIA to Vanuatu registry and flag, without change in ownership, was also approved. Source: HK Law

MarAd Approves Sale of Vessel

The Maritime Administration has approved the sale and transfer of a vessel under section 9 of the Shipping Act, of 1916, as amended. MarAd has approved an application to sale Eastern Overseas, Inc., of Davenport, Florida for the sale of the ARGONAUT, Official No. 601377. The freight ship was sold to Maritime Delivery Inc., a British Virgin Island corporation, for scrapping in China.

Three Bidders Approved To Buy Shipping Company

Latvian Economy Minister Aigars Kalvitis said the cabinet had approved three bidders to buy a 68 percent stake in Latvian Shipping. "Six companies had applied and we approved the 'long-list' of three companies," Kalvitis said. He did not name the bidders. The three approved companies will have to place their bids in early April. The cabinet will evaluate the bids and shortlist the companies, which will carry out due diligence of Latvian Shipping

Llyods Register Statutory Alert:

MARPOL Annex VI – certification of an ‘Approved Method’ for MAN B&W S60MC engines.   Applicabilty: All owners and operators of new and existing ships Classification News 22/2010 detailed changes to nitrogen oxides (NOX) controls introduced by the Revised MARPOL Annex VI. These apply to marine diesel engines, with a power output of more than 5,000 kW and a displacement at or above 90 litres per cylinder, installed on ships constructed on or after January 1

MARAD Approves Title XI Funding Containerships

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a Bulletin announcing that it has approved Title XI funding for two U.S.-flag containerships. The ships are will be built in the Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard for Matson Navigation Company.

Washington State Approves Permits for Deepening of Columbia River

The Washington State Department of Ecology issued a Press Release stating that it has approved permits that will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deepen the Columbia River navigation channel from Portland to the mouth of the river. Source: HK Law

UK Approves Proposed Container Terminal – Hull

The UK Department for Transport issued a News Release stating that Transport Minister Derek Twigg has approved the proposal for a container terminal at Hull. The proponent, Associated British Ports, has agreed an undertaking comprising a noise mitigation plan and other measures with Hull City Council. Source: HK Law

BOEMRE Approves Deepwater Drilling Permit for New Well

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) approved a deepwater drilling permit for a new well that was described in Shell Offshore Inc’s recently approved Exploration Plan.  The proposed well was also considered in the Site-Specific Environmental Assessment (SEA) completed as part of the plan review.  In order to receive the permit approval, Shell complied with rigorous new safety standards implemented in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon