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Welcome to the Maritime Spotlight. Here you'll find hundreds of pages of information on current and recent developments, port security, government compliance, legislation and court decisions. You can access links to industry resources and organizations and archived materials on maritime matters, as well.


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Status of US Ports (8/28/08)

No significant changes in the security status of US ports have been brought to our attention in the preceding 24 hours. For a summary of maritime security requirements in the United States, access the Port Security page of our Web site - Maritime Spotlight - Port Security.

Canada – extension of jurisdiction over Arctic waters

The Office of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a

media release stating that the Government of Canada will extend its jurisdiction over Arctic waters. Legislation will be introduced to amend the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act so as to regulate ships operating within 200 nautical miles of the nearest Canadian land. Regulations will be established to require mandatory reporting from all ships destined for Canadian Arctic waters. (8/27/08).

EMSA – newsletter

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) issued its

newsletter for July/August. Among other things, it reports that it has prepared an inventory of EU Member States Policies and Operational Response Capabilities for HNS Marine Pollution. (8/27/08).

FMC – ISO Area Representative

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a

Vacancy Announcement stating that it is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Area Representative in New Orleans. Applications must be received by September 9. (7/24/08).

FMC – Section 15 Order re US-Australia/New Zealand trade

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a

Section 15 Order directing members of the US Pacific Coast-Oceania Agreement and others to submit information and documents so that the FMC may determine whether the various arrangements improperly reduce competition and adversely affect prices and services in such trade. (8/26/08).

Singapore – reminders re AFS Convention

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular reminding owners, operators, and masters that the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 comes into force on 17 September.

Shipping Circular No. 22 of 2008. The MPA also issued a circular advising the maritime community of recommended practices for removal of harmful anti-fouling coatings from hulls. Shipping Circular No. 23 of 2208 (8/26/08).

TSA – security technology tested in North Carolina

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a

press release stating that it is conducting pilot tests of backscatter imaging technology to screen vehicles for explosives before they are driven onto the Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach Ferry near Havelock, North Carolina. (8/26/08).

USCG – first SAREX in the Arctic Ocean

The US Coast Guard issued a

press release stating that on Friday, August 29, it will conduct its first search and rescue exercise in the Arctic Ocean near Barrow, Alaska. (8/27/08).

USCG – TWIC compliance date – various ports

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that waterfront facilities within the Captain of the Port (COTP) Zones Baltimore, Delaware Bay, Mobile, Lower Mississippi River, Ohio Valley, Pittsburgh, and San Diego must enforce, commencing not later than December 30, 2008, the requirement for persons seeking unescorted access to the facilities to have a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

73 Fed. Reg. 50721 (August 28, 2008).

CBP – test of ACE ESAR capabilities

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a notice stating that it plans to conduct a National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test concerning Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue (ESAR) capabilities. Comments on this plan and interest in participation in the planned test should be submitted by October 27.

73 Fed. Reg. 50337 (August 26, 2008).