Legal Update: US - Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) Status
We would like to draw Members’ attention to the latest Client Alert 4-2019 from ECM Maritime Services LLC (attached above.) The same is an update further to ECM’s Client Alert 27-2018 issued on 10 December last year (also attached above.)
On 4th December, 2018, the President of the United States signed the Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) into law. The law extended the validity of the Vessel General permit (VGP) 2013 beyond 18th December, 2018 and introduced a number of substantial changes as listed in ECM’s Client Alert 27-2018. ECM’s latest Client Alert attempts to provide some clarity and an update on the situation since VIDA was passed into law on 4th December last year.
If Members have any questions relating to VIDA, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your usual Club contact who will be pleased to assist you.
With the IMO 2020 fuel regulations, and alongside that the Emission Control Area (ECA) regulations, currently at the forefront of everyone’s mind, the California Air Resources Board(CARB) has felt it necessary to issue a reminder, Marine Notice 2020-1, to vessel operators that the California Fuel Regulations remain fully in force, and must be complied with. These regulations, applicable within 24 nautical miles of California’s shore, require the use of distillate fuels with maximum 0.1% sulphur content and do not allow for the use of exhaust gas scrubbers or non-distillate fuels to meet compliance standards.
We would like to draw Members’ attention to the attached Circular PNI1902 - Measures for Supervision and Management of Ship Ballast Water and Sediment.
