Rear Admiral Robert North News

Bill Gallagher, President, International Registries, Inc.(IRI)  shares his thoughts on the continuing growth of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Registry, the challenges of ballast water management regulations and the importance of Qualship 21. Ballast Water Management (BWM) is on everyone’s minds at the moment. Listening to the questions posed by industry stakeholders at our seminar on BWM regulations in London this November, it was clear to me that the industry needs practical answers, fast. To ensure owners’ collective BWM concerns are dealt with and clearly heard at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), we have a dedicated BWM team…

Reductions in Port State Control Examinations and streamlined inspection procedures are among the rewards that await the owners of non-U.S. registered commercial vessels that call on U.S. ports - if they measure up in a new quality incentive program established by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). The program was announced today at a shipping conference in Athens, Greece, per Rear Admiral Robert North, assistant Coast Guard Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection. Dubbed Qualship 21, the incentive program, which is part of the USCG effort to eliminate substandard shipping and reward high-quality vessels, is also being considered for U.S. registered vessels.