Proposed Jones Act Changes Impacting Seafarers
The impact of proposed changes to the Jones Act and the use of foreign flagged vessels in the US offshore sector is already being felt by seafarers according to international shipping recruitment agency Faststream, with companies rushing to replace their non-US crews. Should the proposals by the US Customs and Borders Protection (CBP) first issued in July 2009 be implemented, they would radically change the interpretations of rules for vessels transporting specialised equipment used by the offshore oil and gas industry and revoke foreign flag exemptions to the Jones Act including pipe and cable-laying, diving support work. “Some of our offshore service companies that we work with are already making moves to man their vessels with US crews in anticipation of the proposed changes…
Faststream Expands US Presence
Faststream’s US opened two new offices in Massachusetts and Houston in November. Faststream Houston opened for business on Monday 10 November, headed up by Craig Johnson, with a focus on the oil and gas sector. The Houston region is home to over 3000 energy related establishments. Faststream has also established a new office in Massachusetts which focuses on both the US power generation and maritime markets. Headed by former Massachusetts Maritime Academy Career Services Director Heather Twiss, this latest addition to the Faststream global network brings the total number of Faststream offices to seven. “With projected increases in electricity demand…
