Authorization Bill

AAPA Applauds Vote on WRDA

After a successful floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives today to approve passage of a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorization bill, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) President/CEO Kurt Nagle applauded committee and subcommittee leaders for championing the legislation, noting that this is a prelude to conference and final passage of one of the most critically-needed authorization bills of this session. “America’s ports depend upon a regular, biennial cycle of new project authorizations to improve federal navigation channels to accommodate calls from a modern world fleet of deep-draft ships,” remarked Nagle. “This bill is critical to maintaining America’s position as a dominate world trading partner and ports as engines of the nation’s economic growth.” Nagle said that AAPA and its U.S. member ports “are very appreciative” of the support provided by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Don Young (R-AK) and Ranking Member James Oberstar (D-MN), along with Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chair John Duncan (R-TN) and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). The last WRDA bill was signed into law in 2000. In the intervening half-decade, as demand for critical water resources projects has accumulated, so have the costs to implement them, making it more difficult to secure passage of a new WRDA.

Senate Passes CG Authorization Bill

The Senate passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2004. Negotiations can now commence to resolve differences between this bill and the version adopted by the House of Representatives some time ago. The major difference between the two bills regards security plans for foreign vessels subject to the ISPS Code. The House bill would, in accordance with language in the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA)

Naval shipbuilding gets booster shot in legislative chambers

The Conferees on the Defense Authorization Bill, S.1059, for fiscal year 2000 wrapped up their conference after providing "Extended Lease" authority of 20 years or more to the Secretary of the Navy for the services of non-combatant ships, and rejecting an attempt by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) to repeal the three-year waiting period before foreign-built ships are eligible to carry preference cargo. The House Armed Services Committee has been working for three years to provide the Secretary of

Taylor: Base Closures "Bone-Headed"

Congressman Gene Taylor declared Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's list of recommended base realignments and closures as "yet another bone-headed decision." "Back in February 2001, Rumsfeld announced his intention to hold a round of base closures. February 2001 was a whole different world than the one we're in now," said Taylor. "On September 11th, 2001, we were attacked. Since then, we've gone to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. We've declared a global war on terrorism

Congressional Maritime Legislative Initiatives In 2000

The year 2000 has enjoyed special significance as a transition year bridging two centuries. Similarly it has significance with U.S. lawmakers for the Second Session of the 106th Congress. As the last year of the currently elected Congress, this year anticipates action on a series of pending legislative measures and yet to be introduced proposals affecting the maritime industry. Specifically tax-related legislation and maritime policy-related legislation could be addressed.

Hollings Secures $29.5 Million for Port

U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings announced today that he has secured a total of $29.5 million for port security efforts at the Port of Charleston as part of the fiscal year 2004 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The funding is directed to Charleston's Project Seahawk, the nation's first port security command and control center and a project Hollings helped create. The Omnibus spending measure, approved by the Senate Thursday, encompasses the 7 appropriations bills that have yet to be approved

Hydro's Board Seeks Share Buyback

The Board of Norsk Hydro ASA will at the company's Annual General Meeting May 11, 2004, ask for authorization to buy back shares. Under this authorization, the Board may buy up to 2,808,810 of the company's own shares in the market, over the 18 months period commencing May 12, 2004. Each share may be purchased at prices ranging from NOK 200 to NOK 700 per share. The Board will at a subsequent General Meeting propose to cancel the purchased shares

Moore Stephens & Clyde & Co Set Up Insurance Intermediary Consultancy

Insurance accountant and consultant Moore Stephens has joined with international law firm Clyde & Co to provide specialist advice to intermediaries on all aspects of the authorization process and on continuing compliance with FSA requirements. The rigorous FSA regime comes into effect on January 15, 2005. Intermediaries have until July 14 this year to submit their completed registration packs to the FSA. The new rules are not voluntary

Norway Recognizes ABS MODU Rules

The maritime authority of Norway, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate (NMD), has extended its authorization to class society ABS to include Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) in its scope as a Recognized Organization (RO).  This entitles ABS to class Norwegian-flagged rigs without having to perform additional safety equivalencies or a GAP analysis to meet Norwegian law.   The additional annex to the existing agreement between NMD and ABS was signed the week of Feb

Navy Training, Testing & Marine Mammals

Rear Adm. Kevin R. Slates 
Director, Chief of Naval Operations Energy and Environmental Readiness Division comments on the authorization process: The Navy is renewing authorizations that will enable us to continue to train and test live sonar and explosives at sea for another five years (2019). The process of renewing authorizations involves analyzing the possible effects of training and testing and making that data publicly available in the form of the Hawaii-Southern California Training and