Regulatory Rant – Vessel General Permit
The initial implementation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Vessel General Permit (VGP) is now theoretically astern of the marine industry, but unlike any other new regulatory effort, this one has numerous unintended consequences, many of which remain “submerged” and undetected by vessel owners, their customers, insurers, and indeed the EPA itself. Although the protection of the marine environment is essential, it would appear as if the evolving American approach to regulate ballast water discharges will not achieve this quickly.
MacArtney Singapore Open for Business
Following a presence through official sales representative Kongsberg Geoacoustics, MacArtney Singapore Pte. Ltd. is now open for business. Located in the major offshore hub of South East Asia, MacArtney Singapore provides an increased regional sales base, offering local access to stock and capacity, resulting in efficient service and prompt delivery to underwater technology customers in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines. Having recently established a new and successful subsidiary in Perth…
Court Ipholds LNG DWP License
The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld the decision of the Secretary of Transportation to grant a license for the construction and operation of the Gulf Landing LNG DWP in the Gulf of Mexico. Plaintiffs had challenged the decision, asserting that the environmental impact statement (EIS) was deficient and that the Secretary should have required the use of a "closed loop" system for warming the liquefied natural gas (LNG). The court found that the Secretary's actions were not arbitrary and capricious and did not violate the "best available technology" requirement of the Deepwater Port Act. Gulf Restoration Network v. US Department of Transportation, No. 05-60321 Source: HK Law
