Headlines:
DOE – LNG export study;
San Juan – diesel spill under investigation;
House – bill introduced to facilitate trade;
CGPCS – meeting;
UNDP – ocean finance presentation;
EMSA – newsletter;
Australia – SMS review; and
New Zealand – oil pollution levy consultation.
December 11, 2012
Bryant’s Maritime Blog 
Bryant’s Maritime Consulting – 4845 SW 91st Way – Gainesville, FL 32608-8135 – USA
Tel: 1-352-692-5493 – Email: dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com – Internet: http://brymar-consulting.com
Note: This blog is one section of the Bryant’s Maritime Consulting website. Visit the site for more extensive maritime regulatory information. Individual concerns may be addressed by retaining Dennis Bryant directly. Much of the highlighted text in this newsletter constitutes links to Internet sites providing more detailed information. Links on this page may be in PDF format, requiring use of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Comments on these postings are encouraged and may be made by clicking the envelope that appears at the end of each posting. Be aware that the daily blog entry is a single posting, even though it contains a number of individual items. When in doubt, speak louder.
DOE – LNG export study
The Department of Energy (DOE) seeks comments on its liquefied natural gas (LNG) export cumulative impact study. DOE commissioned the LNG Export Study to inform its decisions on applications seeking authorization to export LNG from the lower-48 states to non-free trade agreement (FTA) countries. The study consists of two parts. The first part is the EIA Study, conducted by the Energy Information Administration. The second part is the NERA Study, conducted by NERA Economic Consulting, under DOE contract. Initial comments must be filed by 4:30 pm EST, 24 January 2013. Reply comments must be filed by 4:30 pm EST, 25 February 2013. 77 Fed. Reg. 73627 (December 11, 2012).
San Juan – diesel spill under investigation
The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it is the circumstances surrounding the spill of at least 600 gallons of diesel fuel in the San Antonio Chanel of San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico. The spill reportedly occurred during the fueling of a ro-ro container ship at the pier. Responders recovered much of the discharge and the remainder is naturally dissipating. (12/10/12).
House – bill introduced to facilitate trade
Representative Brady (R-TX) introduced the Customs Trade Facilitation and Enforcement Act of 2012 (H.R. 6642). Official text of the bill is not yet available, but Representative Brady issued a news release explaining the measure. (12/7/12).
CGPCS – meeting
The Department of State (DOS) issued a press release stating that the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) will meet in a plenary session in New York on 11 December. (12/10/12). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend Larry Brennan of Wilson Elser.
UNDP – ocean finance presentation
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is hosting a presentation entitled “Catalysing Ocean Finance: Transforming Markets to Restore & Protection the Global Ocean” in Washington, DC on 14 December, addressing a possible approach to funding sustainable ocean management. (12/10/12).
EMSA – newsletter
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) issued its newsletter for December. Among the topics addressed are use of dispersants during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and contracts for standby oil spill response vessels for the Bay of Biscay, the South Atlantic Coast, and the Central Mediterranean. (12/10/12).
Australia – SMS review
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued a publication entitled: A systematic review of the effectiveness of safety management systems. The study found that incorporating safety management systems (SMSs) into normal business operations does appear to reduce accidents and improve safety in high-risk industries such as maritime transportation. At present, there have only been a small number of quality empirical evaluations of SMSs and it is unclear as to whether any individual elements of a SMS have a stronger influence on safety over other elements, although management commitment and appropriate safety communications do affect attitudes to safety. Transport organizations that provide an appropriate investment and commitment to a safety management system should receive a positive return on safety. (12/10/12). Note: Management commitment to safety and clear, consistent, and frequent communication of that commitment throughout the organization are vital.
New Zealand – oil pollution levy consultation
Maritime New Zealand has opened a Consultation on its Oil Pollution Levy. The proposed new oil pollution levy rates and some accompanying policy changes are based in part on a Study conducted for the agency by Navigatus Consulting. Comments should be submitted by 8 February 2013. (12/10/12).
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If you have questions regarding the above items, please contact the editor:
Dennis L. Bryant
Bryant’s Maritime Consulting
4845 SW 91st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135
USA
1-352-692-5493
dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com
© Dennis L. Bryant – December 2012
Redistribution permitted with attribution
