Category: Government/Legislation

DOJ Announces FCPA Pilot Program in an Effort to Incentivize Companies to Self-Report Misconduct

Mainbrace | June 2016 (No. 3)

Shawn M. Wright, Carlos F. Ortiz, Steven J. Roman, Ariel S. Glasner, and Mayling C. Blanco

 

 

 

On April 5, 2016, the chief of the Fraud Section for the U.S. Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) Criminal Division issued a memorandum related to the DOJ’s prosecution of violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”). The memorandum highlighted the DOJ’s efforts to intensify its prosecution of FCPA violations by (1) increasing the Fraud Unit’s stable of prosecutors devoted to FCPA issues by 50 percent and creating teams of special FBI agents focused solely on FCPA matters, and (2) strengthening the DOJ’s collaboration with its foreign counterparts in order to combat bribery schemes worldwide. The memorandum also announced the start of a one-year pilot program designed to incentivize companies to voluntarily self-disclose FCPA-related misconduct. Continue reading “DOJ Announces FCPA Pilot Program in an Effort to Incentivize Companies to Self-Report Misconduct”

What You Need to Do Now to Prepare for the New SOLAS Verified Gross Mass Deadline

Mainbrace | June 2016 (No. 3)

Jonathan K. Waldron, Patricia M. O’neill, and Dana S. Merkel

As the July 1, 2016, effective date for the SOLAS Regulation VI/2 amendments quickly approaches, unanswered questions and difficulties complying with varied international and domestic implementations loom large. In an effort to provide guidance to the industry, the U.S. Coast Guard recently issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin, dated April 28, 2016 (MSIB Number 009/16), declaring that existing U.S. laws and regulations for providing verified container weights are “equivalent” to the requirements under SOLAS Regulation VI/2. Continue reading “What You Need to Do Now to Prepare for the New SOLAS Verified Gross Mass Deadline”

SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (“VGM”) Countdown: Will You Be Ready On July 1, 2016?

Jeanne M. Grasso, Dana S. Merkel, and Jonathan K. Waldron

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 Organization (“IMO”), Administrations, and industry continue to tackle unanswered compliance questions and concerns.

Below, we discuss the most recent guidance and developments from the U.S. Coast Guard, IMO, and industry organizations, as well as our assessment and views on enforcement, to assist stakeholders in preparing for the July 1 deadline, while taking into account the unique characteristics of various operations and ports. Continue reading “SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (“VGM”) Countdown: Will You Be Ready On July 1, 2016?”

The Well Control Final Rule Is Here, Finally

Jeanne M. Grasso, Jonathan K. Waldron, and Stefanos N. Roulakis

Action Item: The recently published Well Control Rule will require significant changes to Blow-Out Preventer (“BOP”) systems and well operations. Stakeholders in offshore oil and gas operations should carefully evaluate the new measures, review safety procedures, and develop plans to come into compliance within the time frames mandated by the regulations. Continue reading “The Well Control Final Rule Is Here, Finally”

Deepwater Horizon Court Ruling Closes the Gap on Responder Immunity

Mainbrace | March 2016 (No. 2)

Jonathan K. Waldron and Lauren B. Wilgus

On February 16, 2016, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana issued a landmark decision with respect to responder immunity. In In re DWH Oil Spill, MDL No. 2179 (ED La, February 16, 2016), the court granted the clean-up responder defendants’ motions for summary judgment with respect to claims asserted against them by plaintiffs who engaged in a variety of clean-up activities and were exposed to oil, dispersants, and other chemicals while doing so as a result of actions or omissions relating to the defendants’ use of dispersants and other response efforts during the Deepwater Horizon incident. Continue reading “Deepwater Horizon Court Ruling Closes the Gap on Responder Immunity”

The U.S. Imperative for New Icebreakers

Mainbrace | March 2016 (No. 2)

Joan M. Bondareff and James B. Ellis

Executive Summary

The U.S. Coast Guard, under new guidance from President Barack Obama, is moving forward to acquire one new polar icebreaker for the United States. But the United States, as a leading maritime power and Arctic nation, needs more icebreakers and has yet to determine how to fund these very expensive ships. This article describes the United States’ disappointing history with polar icebreakers and why they are badly needed. Continue reading “The U.S. Imperative for New Icebreakers”

Mulling Sanctions: Will the 45th President Limit Trade with Iran and Cuba?

Mainbrace | March 2016 (No. 2)

Stefanos N. Roulakis

The election of the 45th President of the United States could have a drastic impact on the global maritime industry. There are few issues that changed for the maritime industry in the last year of the Obama administration as much as trade sanctions against Iran and Cuba. Continue reading “Mulling Sanctions: Will the 45th President Limit Trade with Iran and Cuba?”

The Latest on the Ballast Water Conundrum

Mainbrace | March 2016 (No. 2)

Jeanne M. Grasso and Dana S. Merkel

The challenges faced by the maritime industry in implementing international and domestic ballast water requirements continue unabated. These challenges may be getting even more challenging in the next year or so.

Internationally, new ratifications to the International Maritime Organization’s (“IMO”) International  Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (“Convention”) mean the Convention is very close to entering into force. In the United States, which is not party to the Convention, the U.S. Coast Guard (“USCG”) issued a revised policy addressing extensions for the installation of ballast water treatment systems and, shortly thereafter, rejected an “equivalency request” from four ballast water treatment system manufacturers, which would have helped alleviate the need for these extensions, which now number more than 4,000. In addition, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) acted arbitrarily and capriciously in drafting the ballast water provisions of its Vessel General Permit for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Vessels (“VGP”), thus creating more uncertainty. Continue reading “The Latest on the Ballast Water Conundrum”

Critical Habitat for Right Whales Expanded

Jeanne M. Grasso, Jonathan K. Waldron, and Stefanos N. Roulakis

Action Item: The National Marine Fisheries Services (“NMFS”) promulgated a final rule identifying critical habitats for the endangered Northern Atlantic Right Whale. Stakeholders involved in spill response, ocean and offshore energy (including renewable energy), fisheries, and other activities requiring federal permits or permission should examine the final rule to determine current possible impacts to activities in the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, stakeholders involved in industries in the Atlantic Ocean, particularly in the South Atlantic, should consider engaging early with NMFS to minimize permitting delays and costly modifications to plans. Continue reading “Critical Habitat for Right Whales Expanded”

Heavy Lifting: U.S. Coast Guard Confirms Container Verified Gross Mass Requirement Will Not Be Delayed

Jeanna M. Grasso, Jonathan K. Waldron, and Dana S. Merkel

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 confusion and consternation. As the implementation date is July 1, 2016, stakeholders should work together to develop procedures to meet this implementation date because the U.S. Coast Guard has made it clear that it does not intend to delay implementation. Continue reading “Heavy Lifting: U.S. Coast Guard Confirms Container Verified Gross Mass Requirement Will Not Be Delayed”