Curtas do Bryant´s

EPA – IMO approves North American ECA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a news release stating that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) officially accepted the proposal to designate certain waters off the coasts of North America as an Emission Control Area (ECA). When the ECA comes into effect starting in 2012 (sic), the sulphur content of fuel oil for ships subject to MARPOL Annex VI will be limited to 1.00% m/m. Ships may also utilize approved technical measures to lower their sulphur-oxide emissions to an equivalent level. (3/26/10). Note: The North American ECA will apply to most coastal waters of Canada and the United States and to waters surrounding the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon. It will have a particular impact on vessels engaged in the Canadian and US coastwise trade as those vessels will operate almost exclusively within the ECA. While the EPA news release states that the ECA will come into effect in 2012, I believe this is a typo and that the ECA will actually come into effect on 1 August 2011. EPA rulemaking is expected to be forthcoming.

IMO – report on MEPC session

The IMO issued a news release stating that the 60th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) has concluded. Progress was made with regard to the proposed mandatory application of technical and operational measures designed to regulate and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping, but further efforts are required to finalize an agreement. The Committee adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI to formally establish the North American Emissions Control Area (ECA), which will come into effect on 1 August 2011. Another amendment will prohibit carriage of heavy-grade fuel oils in Antarctic waters. Final approval was granted to five ballast water management systems that make use of active substances and basic approval was granted to eight other systems. The Wider Caribbean Region Special Area under MARPOL Annex V (Garbage) will come into effect on 1 May 2011. Preliminary approval was given to proposed amendments to replace the text of MARPOL Annex III – Regulations for the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form, with a view to subsequent adoption by MEPC 61. (3/26/10).

Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force – meeting

The Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force, sponsored by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), will meet in Portland, Maine on May 5-6. 75 Fed. Reg. 15457 (March 29, 2010).

Indian Ocean – tanker evades pirate attack

The EU Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that a tanker en route from Durban to Kuwait was attacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean approximately 300 miles north of the Seychelles. The attack lasted about two hours and shots were fired by the pirates. Utilizing best management practices, the master was able to evade the pirates. (3/28/10). Fonte: Dennis Bryant.