Regulatory Tool News

International classification society RINA has been authorized by the Danish Maritime Authority to act on its behalf to carry out plan approval and surveillance during construction on board ships using LNG as marine fuel. The authorization is valid for ships flying the Danish Flag. Andrea Cogliolo, head of innovation, RINA Services, said, “This authorization recognizes RINA’s expertise with gas and will allow us to assist owners in Denmark who are actively considering conversions to and newbuildings with LNG fuel.

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Director James A. Watson delivered remarks today at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas. Director Watson discussed recent recruitment incentives, BSEE's offshore safety focus and regulatory priorities. Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to talk about the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s continued efforts to enhance safety offshore. This is my first time at OTC, and I have been extremely impressed by the scientific and technical know-how on display…

Genoa-based verification, certification and ship classification group RINA has published a new notation GAS FUELLED SHIPS which establishes requirements for the use of liquefied or compressed natural gas (LNG or CNG) on board ship as an alternative to traditional fuels. It is designed to  give the industry a regulatory tool to ensure that the arrangement and installation on board of machinery using this type of fuel are such as to provide a level of integrity, from the point of view of safety and reliability, equivalent to that of a conventional installation. RINA notes that the use of natural gas as a fuel provides the advantages of a total reduction in sulphur oxide emissions…

The Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) and Pacific Maritime Institure (PMI) announced their upcoming “Introduction to the Maritime Environment and EPA General Permit” Course. With the introduction of the Vessel General Permit the EPA has captured an estimated 70,000 additional regulated units that have previously been exempt from permitting requirements in U.S. waters. This new universe of permitees, while previously subject to many international, national, State and Local requirements, will be challenged to understand, incorporate and manage a new set of requirements on discharges previously unregulated by the EPA in the brief time granted for implementation by the permit.