The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (“FMC”) announced on May 21, 2025 that it is initiating a non-adjudicatory investigation into whether the: 1) vessel flagging laws, regulations, and/or practices of certain foreign...more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“SNPR”) on October 18, 2023, modifying its initial proposed rule from three years ago on performance standards for...more
Note from the Editor -
Happy (almost) spring! Every year seems to be a new adventure and a new challenge, and this year, on top of the dramatic new International Maritime Organization 2020 bunker regulations that have now...more
Note from the Editor -
Spring seems to be upon us, at last. Perhaps we have no right to complain about the weather, but that has never stopped us! It seems like our New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia offices...more
4/2/2019
/ Ballast Water Management ,
BOEM ,
Coast Guard ,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Federal Maritime Commission ,
Maritime Transport ,
Offshore Wind ,
Shipping ,
Trump Administration ,
Vessels ,
Wind Farm
The world has begun to recognise that plastic pollution in the ocean is not solely, or even mostly, a shipping problem. However, it is gratifying to see that the maritime community has stepped up to do what it can to address...more
The International Maritime Organization (“IMO”), in preparing for the global 0.5 percent fuel oil sulfur limit, recently adopted an amendment to MARPOL Annex VI to support consistent implementation and enforcement of the new...more
Note from the Vice Chair -
Happy fall! As the seasons change, so do the issues confronting the maritime industry...or not. Over the past few years, several topics have consistently remained in the headlines and as a thorn...more
10/12/2018
/ Coast Guard ,
Cybersecurity ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Federal Arbitration Act ,
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) ,
Imports ,
Maritime Transport ,
Ports ,
Shipping ,
Tariffs ,
Trump Administration ,
USTR ,
Vessels
What #MeToo Means for the Maritime World -
The #MeToo movement has shone new attention on issues for employers in the maritime industry seeking to ensure that seafarers and shore-based personnel can participate in a work...more
Ballast Water Management: The Conundrum Continues -
It has been about 15 months since the U.S. Coast Guard (“USCG”) type-approved the first three ballast water management systems (“BWMSs”) in December 2016; three more...more
5/3/2018
/ Ballast Water Management ,
Chapter 11 ,
Coast Guard ,
Commercial Bankruptcy ,
Cybersecurity ,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Drones ,
Email ,
Hurricane Harvey ,
Hurricane Irma ,
Jones Act ,
Maritime Transport ,
Outer Continental Shelf ,
Technology ,
Trump Administration ,
Vessels
On March 19, 2018, the U.S. Coast Guard published its long-awaited final rule on Marine Casualty Reporting Property Damage Thresholds. In what was widely viewed as a common-sense and non-controversial adjustment, the final...more
As we launch into a new year, uncertainty remains the word of the day. Whatever your political leanings, it would be hard to dispute that the inauguration of the Trump administration augurs change on many fronts, from...more
1/31/2017
/ Ballast Water Management ,
Bid Protests ,
Coast Guard ,
Customs and Border Protection ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Breach ,
GAO ,
Hackers ,
Maritime Transport ,
Risk Management ,
Trump Administration
Action Item: The recently published Subchapter M Final Rule establishes a comprehensive safety system and inspection program for towing vessels. Stakeholders involved in the operation or ownership of towing vessels should...more
Action Item: With less than 30 days remaining before the July 1, 2016, effective date of the new International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (“SOLAS”) Regulation VI/2 amendments, the International Maritime...more
Action Item: A recent amendment to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (“SOLAS”) regarding requirements for providing certain cargo information, including weight, prior to loading has caused industry...more
2015 was an interesting year for the shipping industry. The dry bulk market had a very challenging 2015, with the Baltic Dry Index hitting new all-time lows. Based on various reports, the outlook for 2016 is not very...more
As with the world economy, the shipping markets are currently experiencing a major bout of volatility. The wide range of matters we are handling in our maritime law practice certainly reflects the current swings the shipping...more
10/16/2015
/ Anthem Blue Cross ,
BP ,
Coast Guard ,
Commercial Bankruptcy ,
Compliance ,
Cuba ,
Cyber Attacks ,
Cyber Crimes ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Breach ,
Data Security ,
Due Diligence ,
Environmental Policies ,
Estate Tax ,
GAO ,
Gift Tax ,
Hackers ,
Maritime Transport ,
Merger Agreements ,
Migrants ,
Non-Resident Aliens ,
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) ,
Regulatory Standards ,
Reporting Requirements ,
Risk Management ,
Shipping ,
Shipping Cargo ,
Sony ,
Syria ,
Tax Rates ,
Trade Policy
In this issue:
- A Sea Change Sweeps over Congress: A Look Back and a Look Ahead
- Shipping & International Trade Law (Second Edition 2015)
- Congress Passes Coast Guard Bill in Waning Hours of 113th...more
1/22/2015
/ Coast Guard ,
Cybersecurity ,
Jones Act ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Maritime Transport ,
New Legislation ,
Oil & Gas ,
Risk Assessment ,
Risk Management ,
Shipping ,
Trade Agreements