MERCHANT SHIPPING

Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security ACT 1997

Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security ACT 1997

Introduction

The shipping industry performed far better than expected in 2010 and, at least in the liner sector, the turnaround was simply stunning. The economic recovery is still far from being elevated to any level of fait accompli, but it did put to rest firmly the likelihood of a doubledip recession that some had conjectured. World output grew by about 5 percent in 2010 and trade in goods and services by 11.4 percent in contrast to its 11 percent decline in 2009. The longest post- World War II economic downturn in American history ended; unemployment figures are now heading in the right direction, and economic policies are bearing fruit even though at least 14 million Americans are still searching for a job.

The Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security Act of 1997

The Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security Act of 1997 is a piece of legislation passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act seeks to control pollution and the safety of marine life, and also extend regulatory powers during emergencies (Maritime Security Act, 1997).

History

The Act originally became law on March 19, 1997. The Act includes amendments on several other previous pieces of legislation, including the Merchant Shipping Act of 1995 and the Aviation and Maritime Security Act of 1990.

Function

One important aspect of the Act is to keep the water of the United Kingdom clean. To this end, it allows the Secretary of State to makes regulations against the building of waste management plants on harbors. The Act also increases fines for polluting large amounts in United Kingdom waters from 50,000 pounds to 250,000 pounds.

Considerations

In order to protect sailors at British harbors, the Act extends the power of declaring an emergency at port and to create temporary exclusion zones. This includes allowing fire marshals to declare emergencies in the water and also creating regulations for declaring emergencies for large amounts of non-oil pollutants.

Discussion

This Directive establishes the requirements and procedures regarding the suitability of bulk carriers and terminals, sets out the obligations of the master and the terminal and regulates the exchange of information between them. It applies to:

all bulk carriers, irrespective of their flag, calling at a terminal for loading or unloading of solid bulk cargoes;

all terminals in the Member States visited by bulk carriers and falling within the scope of this Directive.

The Directive excludes bulk terminals which receive only in exceptional circumstances.

To this end, the Directive lists the requirements concerning the suitability of bulk carriers. In particular, cargo holds, hatches, lights, computers cargo, machinery and equipment required for anchoring and berthing operations must comply with the conditions re-established by this Directive. Meeting these eligibility criteria is verified by calling at terminals where bulk carriers (Maritime Security Act, 1997). With respect to the very end, the Directive requires that the following conditions:

fitness in relation to the recruitment of bulk carriers, loading and unloading equipment and training of personnel and tasks of the terminals;

appointment of a representative as a person ...