Law of the Sea Treaty Heads Arctic Challenges for U.S.
The melting polar icecap is presenting both opportunities and challenges for the United States and other Arctic nations, as well as other nations with interests in the region. Arctic ice cover has declined consistently over the past few decades. Increased accessibility, dubbed an “emerging maritime frontier” by U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., presents a host of opportunities for oil and gas development, fishing, tourism, and transportation. It also creates myriad challenges related to Arctic governance, marine safety, indigenous populations, scientific research, and environmental stewardship. This article reviews the state of play regarding claims to the Arctic and the U.S.
US Navy Touts Energy Plan, Congress Seeks Cuts
Speaking at awards ceremonies recently at the United States Naval Memorial in Washington, D.C., senior officers and civilian officials said new energy initiatives will reduce defense spending without sacrificing capabilities. “Taking the long view is really important,” said Monica Medina, a special assistant to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta responsible for energy and environmental matters. Cutting costs and increasing efficiencies through environmental and energy programs is a priority in the secretary’s office and for the Navy, she said. Her comments came after Senate and House committees voted in May against the Navy’s biofuel plans.
U.S. Navy Looks for More Access to Vietnam Port
U.S. naval ship access into Cam Ranh Bay “is a key component of this relationship and we see a tremendous potential here for the future,” Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said during a recent visit to the dry cargo ship Richard Byrd, which is making a port call there. Panetta is the highest-ranking U.S. government official to visit Cam Ranh Bay since the Vietnam War. President Lyndon Johnson visited Cam Ranh Bay in 1966. Many considered Cam Ranh Bay “the jewel of deep, warm-water ports in Southeast Asia,” a defense official said. Protected by mountains, the bay served as a hub for U.S. military operations during the Vietnam War. Now, Vietnam is trying to develop the bay into a prosperous international commercial port.
Singapore Allows USN to Deploy up to 4 LCS from its Port
The Singapore military has agreed in-principle to allow the U.S. The announcement came after a meeting between Singapore’s Defense Minister Ng En Hen and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a meeting of regional defense leaders here. The LCS will not be based or homeported in Singapore and U.S. crews will live on board the ships for the duration of their deployment, the joint statement said. The navies from both countries “will work together to finalize the deployment details and arrangements,” according to a joint statement released after the meeting. In April, Ng said Singapore had only approved the deployment of up to two littoral combat ships and was still evaluating the Pentagon’s request for an additional two ships.
Senate to Conduct State of the Oceans 2006
On August 3, the Subcommittee on National Ocean Policy of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation will conduct a hearing on the State of the Oceans 2006. Subcommittee Chairman John Sununu will preside. Witnesses will include: - Honorable Vice Admiral (Ret) Conrad Lautenbacher, Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Hon. Leon Panetta, Co-Chairman, Joint Ocean Commission Initiative - Mr. Paul Kelly, Commissioner, U.S Commission on Ocean Policy - Mr. Mike Chrisman, Secretary, California Resources Agency - Mr. Michael Orbach, Director, Duke University Marine Laboratory
