Assisting the maritime industry in regulatory compliance

Bryant’s Maritime Consulting

Air emissions

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), in 2008, adopted a major amendment to MARPOL Annex VI – Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships and to the NOx Technical Code.

After some initial delay, the United States became party to the Annex VI with passage of Public Law 110-280 – the Maritime Pollution Prevention Act of 2008.

The United States and Canada recently submitted to the IMO a joint proposal seeking to have almost all coastal waters of the two nations designated as an Emission Control Area (ECA). The petition is explained by the EPA in its accompanying Regulatory Announcement.

The European Union (EU) directive on use of low sulphur fuel while berthed in an EU port came into effect on 1 January 2010. Directive 2005/33/EC





    logo11 Interviews on Jones Act issues re oil spill response

    I was interviewed by a reporter for NPR (previously known as National Public Radio) for their "All Things Considered" program. The interview addressed a number of issues regarding the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The only portion of the interview that made it into print and on the air was my discussion of the impact (or non-impact) of the Jones Act on the response to the spill. My comments were taken slightly out of context, but are basically correct. I find it surprising how a few individuals throwing up an obscure statute as the reason that the oil has not been swept from the Gulf of Mexico has gotten so much coverage. (7/10/10).

    Prior to the NPR interview, I was interviewed by a reporter for Florida Public Radio regarding the impact of the Jones Act (and other cabotage laws) on the response to the ongoing Gulf of Mexico oil spill. A report of that interview, with a link to the actual broadcast thereof, is attached. The interview took over 20 minutes and the radio broadcast condensed that down to about two minutes, so numerous details relating to cabotage have been glossed over or omitted. (6/23/10).