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Marine Policy & Regulatory Affairs Archives - DEV imca
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One Year On! IMCA DP Practitioner Accreditation Scheme

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) Dynamic Positioning (DP) Practitioner Accreditation Scheme launched on 1 May 2019, has received close to 1000 enquiries in its first year. The Accreditation Scheme is the output of a cross industry workgroup consisting of DP vessel owners/operators, training providers, DP consultants, major energy companies and relevant organisations. This workgroup was tasked by IMCA’s Marine Division Management Committee in 2018 to devise a scheme to improve consistency and conduct of DP Trials. Additionally, the scheme set an industry recognised level of knowledge for DP Practitioners responsible for developing, witnessing and reporting of DP Trials in

IMCA and Industry Group Lobbying IMO on Behalf of Offshore Workers

IMCA is playing a key role in an industry group lobbying the IMO to support a recommendation for Governments and national authorities to facilitate the movement of offshore energy sector personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. An industry group comprising IADC, IAGC, IMCA, IOGP and ISOA, having gained initial approval from IMO, has now formally written to the IMO Secretary-General to gain recognition of offshore energy sector personnel as key workers alongside seafarers and marine personnel. If approved, the IMO Recommendation should facilitate easier movement during mobilisation and demobilisation for crew changes. Read the Industry Group Letter here Read the IMO

IMO Secretary-General Seeks UN Support Over “Keyworker” Designation for Seafarers

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has asked the United Nations system agencies to support IMO in its request to governments to declare seafarers, port personnel and other crucial maritime workers as key personnel. Mr. Lim made the plea during a virtual meeting (1 April) with other UN chiefs and the UN Secretary-General.  The meeting addressed the impact of COVID-19 on, among other things, disruption and restrictions to travel, trade flows, global logistics, supply of food, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. During the meeting, Mr Lim highlighted the importance of welfare and well-being of maritime personnel and particularly seafarers and the significance of crew changes

IMCA Welcomes CBP Notice Regarding Offshore Vessels Under the Jones Act

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) welcomes a new Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Notice to revoke and modify rulings relating to offshore vessels under the Jones Act.  These revocations and modifications will bring much needed clarity to the U.S. offshore sector, better delineating the difference between “transportation of merchandise,” which is subject to the Jones Act, and offshore construction, which generally is not.  The public, including Members of IMCA together with their clients, should comment on the notice by November 22, 2019. Since the issuance and revocation of the CBP previous action in 2017,  U.S. regulators have been meeting

IMCA Appoints Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs

Maritime lawyer joins the IMCA Secretariat The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has appointed Margaret Fitzgerald as its Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs. She will represent the Association on all regulatory matters and lead its involvement with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), where IMCA holds non-governmental observer status. Margaret has over 20 years’ experience in shipping. She previously worked for the IMO Secretariat, leading on the development of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code and related regulations on the carriage of hazardous chemicals and noxious and polluting substances, including the HNS Convention. She subsequently worked for a member of

IMCA Appoints Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs

Maritime lawyer joins the IMCA Secretariat The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has appointed Margaret Fitzgerald as its Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs. She will represent the Association on all regulatory matters and lead its involvement with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), where IMCA holds non-governmental observer status. Margaret has over 20 years’ experience in shipping. She previously worked for the IMO Secretariat, leading on the development of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code and related regulations on the carriage of hazardous chemicals and noxious and polluting substances, including the HNS Convention. She subsequently worked for a member of

IMCA Jones Act update

IMCA has updated the US Gulf of Mexico vessel data associated with its authoritative study ‘Marine Construction Vessel Impacts of Proposed Modifications and Revocations of Jones Act Letters Related to Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Activities” submitted to the US Customs and Border Protection agency in early April of last year. This supplement is part of a tracking exercise and focuses on the US GoM vessels of interest to IMCA’s members, and can be found at www.imca-int.com/jonesact and below. At the lighter end of the market, several new Coastwise Qualified light construction vessels (LCVs) have entered the market and largely

IMCA welcomes UK Home Office decision

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) welcomes the extension by the Home Office until 21 October 2018 of the concession to UK immigration rules concerning workers joining vessels engaged in the construction and maintenance of offshore wind projects. As noted by IMCA in June, IMCA welcomes and applauds the Home Office’s pragmatic response to the voice and needs of industry in addressing this issue. This decision has provided clarity and certainty in planning and executing existing projects, which are critical to delivering renewable energy capacity in the UK, and allows time for industry to adjust to the new regime.

Instant access to IMO dynamic positioning guidelines from the IMCA website

It was in March 2015 that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed to use the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) proposals as the basis for the review of the IMO Guidelines for vessels with dynamic positioning (DP) systems (MSC/Circ.645). Now that IMO has published the update (MSC/Circ.1580), IMCA has consolidated the guidance into document 245 IMO which is quickly and easily accessible on the IMCA website at https://www.imca-int.com/publications/425/guidelines-vessels-units-dynamic-positioning-dp-systems-msc-1circ-1580/, together with the original guidance contained in 113 IMO which is at https://www.imca-int.com/publications/76/guidelines-for-vessels-with-dynamic-positioning-systems-msc-circular-645/. The Guidelines for vessels with dynamic positioning systems (MSC/Circ.645) were approved by MSC 63 in May 1994 to provide the

IMCA welcomes the UK Home Office concession

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) welcomes the short term concession by the Home Office to immigration rules concerning seafarers joining vessels engaged in the construction and maintenance of offshore wind projects. However, IMCA notes that the recent change by the Home Office of immigration control over such seafarers (to resume after 21 October 2017) is a deviation from decades of common practice and is causing real operational difficulties. Consequently, IMCA would encourage the Home Office to reach out to industry in order that its new application of the legal framework relating to seafarers can be introduced in a way

IMCA aims to set the Jones Act record straight

On May 10, 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued Customs Bulletin & Decisions, Vol. 51, No. 19, ‘Withdrawal of Proposed Modification and Revocation of Ruling Letters Relating to Customs Application of the Jones Act to the Transportation of Certain Merchandise and Equipment Between Coastwise Points‘.  The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) immediately welcomed this Decision and noted that it would protect the economy of the United States and protect against significant American job losses in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM).  This Decision represents a pivotal step in protecting the U.S. National economy by promoting the offshore oil and

The real facts related to CBP's recent decision to withdraw its Jones Act proposal

On May 10, 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) issued Customs Bulletin & Decisions, Vol. 51, No. 19, “Withdrawal of Proposed Modification and Revocation of Ruling Letters Relating to Customs Application of the Jones Act to the Transportation of Certain Merchandise and Equipment Between Coastwise Points.”  The International Marine Contractors Association (“IMCA”) immediately welcomed this Decision and noted that it would protect the economy of the United States and protect against significant American job losses in the Gulf of Mexico (“GOM”).  This Decision represents a pivotal step in protecting the U.S. National economy by promoting the offshore oil and

IMCA supports CBP decision on Jones Act

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) welcomes withdrawal of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) notice to revoke and modify rulings relating to offshore vessels under the Jones Act. Allen Leatt, Chief Executive of IMCA, explains: “Members of the International Marine Contractors Association with vessels active in U.S. waters, together with their clients, welcome the decision by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agency to withdraw its proposed revocation of longstanding decisions made over the last 40 years concerning the Jones Act. The proposals, which would have represented a major change in maritime policy if enacted, had been forecast

IMCA engages in seafarers' wages payment during piracy at ILO meetings

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) actively participated, on behalf of the Maritime Employers’ Group, in the International Labour Organization (ILO) Working Group of the Special Tripartite Committee (STC), established under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) – the international treaty covering minimum working and living standards for seafarers. The Working Group’s meeting took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 3 to 5 April 2017. It brought together over 150 representatives from Governments, employers’ organisations and seafarers’ associations, officials from ILO, IMO and civil society organisations to examine issues related to the protection of seafarers’ wages when the seafarer is held captive on

IMCA takes action as countdown to deadline for submission on the Jones Act changes draws close – 1 day to go

Myth – U.S. coastwise marine service companies will fill the gap in the market with U.S. coastwise qualified vessels The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is selecting a key fact-a-day on the 7-day countdown to the April 18, 2017 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) comment submission deadline, to highlight the potential risks if CBP revokes 40 years of precedent as reflected in its own rulings. Rulings that have brought decades of stability and billions of dollars in investment to the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico. IMCA issued its vessel impact report on April 4, 2017

IMCA takes action as countdown to deadline for submission on the Jones Act changes draws close – 2 days to go

Myth – Only the inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) market is affected The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is selecting a key fact-a-day on the 7-day countdown to the April 18, 2017 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) comment submission deadline, to highlight the potential risks if CBP revokes 40 years of precedent as reflected in its own rulings. Rulings that have brought decades of stability and billions of dollars in investment to the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico. IMCA issued its vessel impact report on April 4, 2017 and it is crammed with information and

IMCA takes action as countdown to deadline for submission on the Jones Act changes draws close – 3 days to go

Myth – Jones Act waivers The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is selecting a key fact-a-day on the 7-day countdown to the April 18, 2017 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) comment submission deadline, to highlight the potential risks if CBP revokes 40 years of precedent as reflected in its own rulings. Rulings that have brought decades of stability and billions of dollars in investment to the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico. IMCA issued its vessel impact report on April 4, 2017 and it is crammed with information and facts and figures showing that the U.S.

IMCA takes action as countdown to deadline for submission on the Jones Act changes draws close – 4 days to go

Myth – Vessel equipment is merchandise The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is selecting a key fact-a-day on the 7-day countdown to the April 18, 2017 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) comment submission deadline, to highlight the potential risks if CBP revokes 40 years of precedent as reflected in its own rulings. Rulings that have brought decades of stability and billions of dollars in investment to the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico. IMCA issued its vessel impact report on April 4, 2017 and it is crammed with information and facts and figures showing that the

IMCA takes action as countdown to deadline for submission on the Jones Act changes draws close – 5 days to go

Myth – Improved US jobs market The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is selecting a key fact-a-day on the 7-day countdown to the April 18, 2017 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) comment submission deadline, to highlight the potential risks if CBP revokes 40 years of precedent as reflected in its own rulings. Rulings that have brought decades of stability and billions of dollars in investment to the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico. IMCA issued its vessel impact report on April 4, 2017 and it is crammed with information and facts and figures showing that the

IMCA takes action as countdown to deadline for submission on the Jones Act changes draws close – 6 days to go

Myth – Economic investment The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is selecting a key fact-a-day on the 7-day countdown to the April 18, 2017 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) comment submission deadline, to highlight the potential risks if CBP revokes 40 years of precedent as reflected in its own rulings. Rulings that have brought decades of stability and billions of dollars in investment to the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico. IMCA issued its vessel impact report on April 4, 2017 and it is crammed with information and facts and figures showing that the U.S. coastwise