U.S. DEVELOPMENTS - NOVEMBER 2020
Circular Ref: A(20)227
Issue Date: 09 Dec 2020
Please find the monthly report from Chamber of Shipping America, CSA, for November 2020 attached as Annex A,
The report covers the following:-
1. Updates on the continued meetings of ‘Roundtable Discussions’ with maritime experts discussing issues including crew changes and health, COVID-19 impact on industry, piracy and the EU ETS proposal;
2. Reports that record spikes in COVID-19 cases in a large number of US States may lead to state-wide shutdowns to control infection rates, which may see a reduction in government services and may subject vessels to some delay. In particular, CSA will continue to monitor California and New York, which have both threatened full shutdowns if the infection rate is not reduced by current restrictions;
3. Advises that CSA has now submitted formal comments on the EPA Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (EPA VIDA) concerning national standards of performance, and that the EPA hopes to publish the final rule in 2021. Regulation will only enter into force after the USCG completes its regulatory project, which must occur by December 2