European Commission
EU Clears Statoil/Hydro Merger
Statoil and Hydro have today, May 3, 2007, received clearance from the European Commission for the announced merger between Norsk Hydro ASA's petroleum activities and Statoil ASA. The European Commission has declared that the merger is compatible with the common market pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of the EC Merger Regulation. The clearance represents a major step forward for Statoil and Hydro in order to complete the planned merger. Merger clearances are still in the process of being obtained in other jurisdictions as required by applicable laws.
EU Members Encouraged to Adopt New Oil Pollution Compensation Fund
The European Commission (EC) issued a Press Release
LNG Port Safety Ruling – UK Compliance Demanded
Risk assessment for LNG imports to UK's Port of Milford Haven demanded by European Commission in response to long-term public prompting There has been a further twist in the long-running saga over the safety of shipping Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) into the Milford Haven waterway, reports the 'Western Telegraph'. Recently the European Commission issued a formal notice over ‘failure to comply with safety rules’.
Europe Gives U.S. The Raspberry
In an apparent flexing of newfound muscles, the European Union is picking another trade fight with the United States, threatening to file a World Trade Organization complaint against the U.S. over fees on cargo ships at U.S. ports, increasing tensions between the two trading giants. In a letter released last Tuesday, European Commission vice president Leon Brittan said harbor fees proposed by the Clinton administration, like those they would replace
Maritime Labour Standards – EU Commission Adopts New Proposals
European Commission adopts two new proposals on maritime labour standards Two new proposals adopted by the European Commission are set to bring the European Union into line with enforcements and compliance rules foreseen by the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. The MLC provides the world’s more than 1.2 million seafarers with rights and protection at work. The proposals for two new directives clarify flag and port states’ responsibilities to ensure that maritime labour
EU and China Set to Collaborate on GALILEO
An agreement has been reached between the European Union and China on its participation in the GALILEO program. This agreement was initialled in Beijing on September 18 by F. Lamoureux, Director-General of Energy and Transport at the European Commission, and M Shi Dinghuan, Secretary General of China's Ministry of Science and Technology. “China will help GALILEO to become the major world infrastructure for the growing market for location services,” said Loyola de Palacio
Tanker Companies Investigated for Possible Cartel Activities
The European Commission (EC) has stated that unannounced inspections were carried out at the premises of a number of operators of deep sea maritime tanker services in several European Economic Area (EEA) countries. EEA countries include the 15 European Union states, plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The purpose of the inspections was to ascertain whether there is evidence of a cartel agreement and related illegal practices.
European Commission Clears Take Over of HDW
The European Commission has authorized the proposed acquisition of the German submarine producer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) by the American banking company, Bank One Corporation. The Commission's investigation confirmed that the operation will not create anti-competitive effects, as the transaction will not result in any overlaps between the parties' activities in the European Union. The Commission's careful investigation has also failed to establish any links between Bank One and any
EU Set For Full Probe Into Exxon, Mobil Merger
The European Commission's (EC) competition department will reportedly launch an in-depth probe into the proposed $87 billion merger of U.S. oil majors Exxon Corp. and Mobil Corp. later this month.
Kvaerner Appeals EC Ruling On State Aid Repayment
Kvaerner has reportedly appealed against a European Commission ruling that it must repay state aid of $44.8 million for alleged over-production at its Warnow shipyard in Germany during 1998. Kvaerner officials maintain that the company complied with a technical capacity limit imposed when the yard was acquired in 1992, and was within its rights to boost actual output due to productivity gains.
ICS Meets with Ministers to Discuss Arctic Shipping
ICS Meets with Ministers to Discuss Arctic Shipping At a Summit in Oslo on June 5, Board Members of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) met with Ministers from major shipping nations and the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to discuss Arctic Shipping
Paris MoU Ready for Maritime Labor Convention
The Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU) held its 46th Committee meeting in Valletta, Malta, from May 20-24, 2013. The meeting was attended by members, the European Commission, EMSA, Montenegro, observers from the ILO, U.S
U.K. Offshore Sector Welcomes EU Safety Initiative
Oil & Gas U.K. said it is pleased that a plenary vote in the European Parliament may see the introduction of a directive on offshore safety and environment. Robert Paterson, Oil & Gas U.K.’s health, safety and employment director, said: “Oil & Gas U.K
Statoil: ESA Conducts Inspection
Statoil's office in Stavanger is subject to an inspection visit by the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA), assisted by the Norwegian Competition Authority (Konkurransetilsynet). The inspection is carried out on request of the European Commission
Europe's Atlantic Action Plan Unveiled
The European Commission has adopted an Action Plan to revitalise the marine & maritime economy in the Atlantic Ocean Area. The Action Plan aims to show how the EU's Atlantic Member States, their regions and the Commission can help create sustainable growth in coastal regions and drive forward
EMSA's LNG Bunkering Study Now Online
EMSA’s commissioned study on standards & rules for bunkering gas-fuelled ships has now been published on its website. The study (carried out by Germanischer Lloyd) contains a comprehensive overview of the regulatory framework for the bunkering of gas-fuelled ships including identified
Millions of Euros for EU Wind Energy Projects
The European Commission launches a call for renewabke energy project funding under NER300. The wind categories have remained the same as for the first call, and include offshore wind farms with very large turbines, floating offshore turbines and onshore wind turbines for complex terrains and
EPCSA Conference on Port Process Simplification
Two years after its official launch, the European Port Community Systems Association (ECPSA) will host a conference focusing on the simplification of port processes and trade facilitation. What are the key strands of European Union policy relating to port processes? How are they viewed from the
Monalisa 2.0 - Moving Maritime into the Digital Age
The Swedish Maritime Administration has initiated an extension of the ongoing Monalisa project, called Monalisa 2.0, through a renewed application to the European Commission's TEN-T program. Monalisa 2.0 takes its point of departure in the results and experiences from the current
HYMAR Project Wins Technology Award
The EU Hybrid Marine (HyMar) Project—a collaborative research project led by the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and funded under the EU's Seventh Framework Research Program—won the “Ocean Going and Coastal Division Technology Award” at the
EU Supports 'Blue Growth': Sustainable Management of Sea & Coasts
The European Commission launch a proposal to improve the planning of maritime activities at sea and the management of coastal areas. The proposal – which takes the form of a draft directive – aims to establish a common European framework for maritime spatial planning and integrated
HyMar to Win Award at Mansura Trophy Ceremony
The EU Hybrid Marine (HyMar) Project - a collaborative research project led by the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) funded under the EU's Seventh Framework Research Program - will receive an award at the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s Mansura Trophy Awards Ceremony
INTTRA Study: Shippers Cutting Costs through e-Invoicing
INTTRA released findings of a global study of high-volume shippers and freight forwarders that included 4 of the top 5 global logistics providers. Four years of economic volatility have intensified pressure on carriers and shippers to seek new ways to reduce costs and have seen no relief
Noon Fuel Reports Don't Cut It Says NAPA
NAPA asserts that traditional noon reports don’t give the quantity or quality of data needed by owners in modern shipping. NAPA, a maritime software house for ship design and operations point out that bunker fuel readings for most international vessels are taken as daily ‘noon
ICS Board Meets in London
The Board of Directors of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) - the principal international trade association for shipowners, representing all sectors and trades and over 80% of the world merchant fleet - met in London today (5 February).