Commission New

EU Seeks to Improve Passenger Safety on Ships

The Commission has proposed a new package of measures to reinforce passenger safety on ships. Two proposals aim at preventing accidents such as the Express Samina’s in 2000 by increasing stability requirements for vessels and by reinforcing safety rules to cater for passengers with reduced mobility in general, and high-speed ships in particular. The Commission also presents its view on how passenger protection should be strengthened through stricter liability rules when accidents do occur. These new proposals already announced in the Commission’s new White Paper on Transport, complement a series of rules adopted in the late 1990’s following the Esotonia accident. The new safety package for passenger ships proposed by the Commission consists of three parts: Increased ship stability requirements, which aims to improve the capacity of a passenger ship to stay afloat after a serious incident, the commission proposes harmonized stability requirements for all RoRo passenger vessels operating on international voyages to or from European Union ports. Strengthened and simplified safety rules for passenger ships. The Commission proposes to amend the existing Directive on safety rules for passenger ships to include new safety requirements for high-speed ships and for passengers with reduced mobility. Better protection of passengers in case of accident

Coast Guard Commissions New Port Security Unit

Coast Guard Pacific Area is set to commission a new port security unit (PSU 312). Vice Adm. Harvey Johnson, commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area, will be the presiding official for the ceremony in which Cdr. Donald G. Huenefeld will assume responsibility for PSU 312. PSUs provide a force of six active duty and 140 reserve members who possess specialized skills, capabilities and expertise to perform a broad range of port security and harbor defense missions

Navy to Commission New Guided-Missile Destroyer

The book cover of “Farragut, America’s First Admiral” by Naval Historical Center historian Robert J. Schneller, Jr. Adm. Farragut was appointed the U.S. Navy’s first four-star Admiral in 1866, but is most famous for his cry at the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 1864: “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” U.S. Navy photo. The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Farragut (DDG 99), June 10, during a ceremony in Mayport, Fla.

Security Council Formed With Assistance From Savi Technology

Every day, about 17,000 cargo containers enter U.S. ports, yet only one or two percent of them is routinely inspected. Since Sept. 11, government officials and global supply chain experts have been focusing on vulnerabilities and potential solutions to help ensure that weapons of mass destruction are not concealed in international cargo shipments. The formation of a new group of prominent supply chain thought leaders experienced in both the private and public sectors is being announced at

European Commission Drops European Inland Barge Investigation

Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group ), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stolt-Nielsen S.A. reported that the European Commission's Competition Directorate has informed SNTG that the Competition Directorate has closed its investigation into possible collusive behavior in the intra- European inland barge industry. The European Commission's investigation of possible collusive activities in respect of deep-sea parcel tanker operations continues to be ongoing.

US Coastguard Commissions New Fast Response Cutter

USCG commissions its first Sentinel-class cutter 'Webber' at the Port of Miami The 154-foot Coast Guard Cutter Webber is a Fast Response Cutter and will be able to deploy independently to conduct missions such as ports, waterways, and coastal security, fishery patrols, drug and illegal migrant law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense operations along the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the Caribbean.

FERC Requires Pre-Filing Process for New LNG Projects

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission adopted a final rule requiring potential developers of new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals to initiate pre-filing procedures at least six months prior to filing a formal application with the Commission. Initiating the rulemaking was the Commission’s first formal action under the recently enacted Energy Policy Act of 2005. The new law requires the Commission to issue within 60 days of the law’s August 8, 2005

NJ Senators Call for Delinquent Dues

U.S. Senators Jon S. Corzine (D) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D) of New Jersey, in the aftermath of what might turn out to be one of the worst oil spills ever on the Delaware River, called on President Bush to pay the federal government’s overdue tab to the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) which is charged with managing the Delaware River for four states and the federal government. The federal government is nearly $6 million delinquent in dues owed to the commission as part of its

EC To Investigate Spanish Payments

The European Commission will open a formal investigation into plans by Spanish state holding company SEPI to pay $57 million (10 billion pesetas) to buy a number of shipyards as part of a restructuring plan. "On the basis of the information at its disposal the Commission doubts whether this was a genuine market transaction, but rather a capital injection that could constitute state aid," the Commission said in a statement.

EU Ministers Fail To Agree on Shipbuilding Aid

The main item discussed at the European Council meeting of European industry ministers on December 5 was shipbuilding. In May 2001 the Commission presented to the Industry Council the fourth report on the situation of world shipbuilding. Once more, the conclusions pointed to anti-competitive practices by South Korean shipyards: i.e. debt forgiveness, debt moratoria, advantageous refund credits, fresh credits and guarantees, allowing them to offer ships at below-cost prices.