Robert J. Stefani
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Posted in UncategorizedOil Spill Case Shows Need to Screen Chartered Vessels & Operators
Posted in Marine Pollution, Maritime AccidentsA judge’s recent decision on where legal liability lies for a maritime accident which released thousands of gallons of oil into the Mississippi River illustrates the benefits of being proactive in vetting operator quality when chartering vessels. The case involved a July 2008 collision near New Orleans between an oil barge and the vessel TINTOMARA…. Continue Reading
BOEM Finding Advances Development of Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind Farm; But Tailwinds are Behind Faster Moving Gulf Coast Projects in State Waters
Posted in Energy, Offshore WindOn May 14, 2012, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced a finding of “no competitive interest” with regard to a proposed right-of-way grant area off the Mid-Atlantic coast for construction of an offshore wind energy transmission line. While BOEM’s decision represents a key step forward for this federal offshore wind farming project, two fast-moving… Continue Reading
A Checklist: What to Expect When Financing Vessel Construction
Posted in Marine Services, Maritime Contracts, Ports & Cargo ShippingWhen seeking construction financing for a proposed newbuilding, shipowners should understand and be prepared to address the particular concerns that lenders have in assessing risk and documenting vessel construction projects. When deciding whether to approve a construction financing loan, lenders focus on certain key factors: Does the shipyard have the requisite experience, manpower and financial… Continue Reading
Coast Guard to Review Jones Act Vessel Citizenship Requirements
Posted in Jones Act, Marine ServicesIn an action that may signal future changes to vessel documentation requirements for publicly traded companies, the U.S. Coast Guard published a Notice in the Federal Register November 3 seeking comments on mechanisms currently employed by such companies in order to assure compliance with U.S. citizenship requirements. At least 75% of the stock or other… Continue Reading
Competing Interests Collide Over Proposed New Legislation for Oil and Gas Rigs and Vessels
Posted in Energy, Maritime Contracts, Offshore OilRep. Jeff Landry (R-LA) has added a provision to the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011, currently under consideration in Congress, which would require the owner/operator of any offshore rig or vessel engaged in drilling, plugging and abandoning or workover operations to maintain a standby rescue vessels within 3 nautical miles. The provision… Continue Reading
Lawmakers Inch Closer to Enacting Legislation to Allocate Deepwater Horizon Fines
Posted in Oil Spill RestorationLawmakers in the House and Senate have taken the first steps toward enactment of legislation that will allocate 80% of fines assessed against BP under the Clean Water Act to Gulf States. On September 21, 2011, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee reported out S. 1400 - The RESTORE the Gulf Coast Act of… Continue Reading
Shelved tax credit could bring new shipping lines to Louisiana Ports
Posted in Ports & Cargo ShippingIn the recent CityBusiness article “Revenue Neutrality Keeps Shipping Tax Credit on Shelf,” Ben Meyers examines the reasons behind the State of Louisiana’s refusal to implement a $5 per-ton tax credit passed into law two years ago. The Ports Tax Credit Program provides for export‐import cargo credit of $5 per ton for cargo emanating from or destined to… Continue Reading
New Oil Discoveries in Brazil Spur Demand for Oilfield Services
Posted in Offshore OilAs this article indicates, a veritable “bonanza” is taking place in Brazil as a result of recent offshore oil discoveries by Petrobras: “The result is that every company and group is piling into the country to set up their shopfront to show their wares.” The booming demand for oilfield and related marine and construction services is… Continue Reading