Our campaign for sustainable contracting principles around offshore wind installation is heading to IPF 2023 in Baltimore, USA with IMCA taking part in an industry panel discussion on the topic of allocation of risk in offshore wind contracting. IPF 2023 is the 10th anniversary of the International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum, organised by the Business Network for Offshore Wind. The event, which is the premier offshore wind energy conference in the Americas, welcomes more than 4,000 delegates across three days with global leaders and businesses in the supply chain discussing the latest technical and policy developments in this space. Iain
Following IMCA’s seminar in Providence Rhode Island in November 2022, IMCA kicked off a new North East USA Focal Group at a two-hour seminar chaired by Dustin Varnell on 26 January 2023. Dustin is Osbit’s US Country Manager and IMCA’s Advisor – US Atlantic. The aim of the focal group is, “to influence and shape the safe and efficient operations on the NE Atlantic Coast of North America.”Its objectives are: Identify common matters of interest in the region. Identify the relevant guidance required to be able to be able to operate safely and effectively on the Atlantic Seaboard. Improve communications
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has appointed Dustin Varnell to its Business Development team. Based in Rhode Island, Dustin will focus on the U.S. offshore wind energy market, complementing the work of Bruce Gresham, IMCA’s Director of Client Engagement in the U.S. Allen Leatt, IMCA CEO stated: “As a Master Mariner on dynamic positioned (DP) vessels Dustin is very familiar with IMCA’s work in the field, which is very beneficial in representing the association to existing and new member companies in the U.S. wind industry. We look forward to closely engaging with industry in the Northeast U.S. and helping
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Business Network for Offshore Wind (the Network) a non-profit, educational organisation to develop the offshore wind renewable energy industry and its supply chain in the U.S. The purpose of the collaboration is to share knowledge concerning the industry’s safety and productivity that will promote investment and support its future growth. Allen Leatt, CEO, commented: “Both IMCA and the Network share the common goal of supporting the advancement of offshore wind energy in the U.S. in a safe and efficient way. “The Network is expertly placed
IMCA published a detailed Information Note on 14 March 2022 on Congressionally proposed manning constraints applicable to vessels operating in support of U.S. offshore energy projects. The proposal was passed by the House of Representatives on 29 March 2022 – the American Offshore Worker Fairness Act, Section 518 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (H.R 6865). This measure is now pending before the U.S. Senate. “There remains much more to comprehend regarding the potential of this proposed legislation and there are many inaccuracies related to the purported rationale for the need for enactment of this legislation,” explained IMCA’s
On March 29, 2022 the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation – H.R. 6728 – that included a provision in Section 518 (as we have previously reported) that would impose burdensome new citizenship-based restrictions on crews of foreign flag vessels that work on offshore energy projects on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (“OCS”). This provision would require mariners on foreign flagged vessels operating on the OCS be either U.S. citizens, permanent residents (green card holders), or citizens of the nation of the flag state of the vessel, in contravention of longstanding international principles that regulation and credentialing of crews are
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) provides the following update to its Information Note (1606) published on March 1, 2022 on H.R. 6728, a proposed amendment to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (“OCSLA”) that would impose burdensome new citizenship-based restrictions on crews of foreign flag vessels that work on offshore energy projects on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (“OCS”). This legislation remains under active consideration by the U.S. Congress. In order to better understand the adverse impacts of this legislation IMCA explains, from a practical perspective, how this proposed legislation would result in unnecessary and severe administrative burdens without
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published on its website a new Information Note that should be of interest to IMCA Members with offshore oil and gas and renewable energy businesses in the United States. This relates to new proposed legislative amendments called the American Offshore Worker Fairness Act that would dramatically change citizenship crewing requirements for vessels engaged in offshore energy support operations on the outer continental shelf of the United States. Specifically, Members should be aware of proposed legislative changes that would undermine a regulatory scheme that has served the offshore energy industry well for decades by
Do you want to be involved in IMCA’s committees? Elections for three of our regional committees will be taking place shortly: Middle East & India North America South America If you are a member and have a presence in these parts of the world look out for information about how to get involved with our committee work. Full details relating to timeline and process for these elections will be communicated direct to Members in the relevant region in due course.
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published on its website a new Information Note that should be of interest to the offshore oil and gas and renewable energy industries based on a new development related to enforcement of the Jones Act and Vessel Crewing. Specifically, stakeholders should be aware of the evolving methods used by pro-Jones Act advocates to draw attention to offshore operations that they claim to be noncompliant with applicable coastwise and vessel crewing laws. An industry group has deployed a surveillance vessel, the Jones Act Enforcer, to monitor and report suspected Jones Act and other violations
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is successfully expanding its reach in the North American offshore wind sector thanks to its membership in the Business Network for Offshore Wind (BNOW), the organisation dedicated to building a network designed to usher the U.S. into the offshore wind market. IMCA’s network will undoubtedly expand thanks to its participation in BNOW’s International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum (IPF2021) In Richmond, Virginia 24-26 August. IMCA member companies are very active in the offshore wind industry globally, working at all development stages from feasibility studies to offshore construction. The overwhelming majority of offshore installations have been
Please note that this consultation period is now closed – thank you for your support. Environmental sustainability and the energy transition are fundamental to long-term value creation for the offshore marine contracting industry. In recognition of this, and to help improve environmental performance, a dedicated workgroup was formed under the auspices of the Environmental Sustainability Committee, with oversight of the IMCA Board, to develop a Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability. For the past four months, the workgroup consisting of international contractors, global contractors and contractors have held 6 workgroup, 20 subgroup meetings and multiple bilateral meetings and worked together
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is presenting at the AWEA Offshore Windpower Virtual Summit on 13 October 2020. Captain Andy Goldsmith, Technical Adviser – Marine and Bruce Gresham, Director of Client Engagement, North America, will give a joint presentation on ‘Preparing the Workforce – Industry Education and Training’ (15:15 EST/20:15 GMT). “The material included in educational and familiarisation programmes is based on operational knowledge and experience. IMCA Members, like those involved in our Marine Renewable Energy Committee, share their experience and knowledge to produce industry accepted guidance documents. Prepared by the industry for the industry, IMCA Members are required
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is being represented by Peter Sieniewicz, IMCA Technical Adviser – Diving, at this year’s Underwater Intervention (UI) on 5 February 2020. UI, which takes place in New Orleans 4-6 February 2020, is the premier event for the entire underwater operations industry. Through compelling education and thought-provoking features, UI will draw the industry’s leaders from around the world to gather for three days of networking, thought sharing and relationship building. Looking forward to UI Peter Sieniewicz said: “It is an honour to represent IMCA at this conference given its relevance to a key section of
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is pleased to announce that further to a letter sent to President Trump earlier this month the Association has joined a Joint Trades Group in sending the attached letter to further demonstrate our support of the CBP 1625 process. Click here to view letter. Click here to view letter to President Trump. IMCA has been active on behalf of its members in response to proposals from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency relating to interpretation of the Jones Act. View our Jones Act Reports page here
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) welcomes a new Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Notice to revoke and modify rulings relating to offshore vessels under the Jones Act. These revocations and modifications will bring much needed clarity to the U.S. offshore sector, better delineating the difference between “transportation of merchandise,” which is subject to the Jones Act, and offshore construction, which generally is not. The public, including Members of IMCA together with their clients, should comment on the notice by November 22, 2019. Since the issuance and revocation of the CBP previous action in 2017, U.S. regulators have been meeting
Presentations on North American offshore wind; and ADCI and IMCA working together Workshop and panel discussion to help determine IMCA’s North America work programme The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is holding its North America Regional meeting in Houston on Thursday October 25. This will provide an opportunity for IMCA members and guests to obtain an update on the Association’s activities; take part in a workshop that will contribute to IMCA’s work in the region; and receive presentations on offshore wind in North America and the ongoing work with the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI). The morning meeting will
IMCA has updated the US Gulf of Mexico vessel data associated with its authoritative study ‘Marine Construction Vessel Impacts of Proposed Modifications and Revocations of Jones Act Letters Related to Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Activities” submitted to the US Customs and Border Protection agency in early April of last year. This supplement is part of a tracking exercise and focuses on the US GoM vessels of interest to IMCA’s members, and can be found at www.imca-int.com/jonesact and below. At the lighter end of the market, several new Coastwise Qualified light construction vessels (LCVs) have entered the market and largely
On May 10, 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued Customs Bulletin & Decisions, Vol. 51, No. 19, ‘Withdrawal of Proposed Modification and Revocation of Ruling Letters Relating to Customs Application of the Jones Act to the Transportation of Certain Merchandise and Equipment Between Coastwise Points‘. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) immediately welcomed this Decision and noted that it would protect the economy of the United States and protect against significant American job losses in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). This Decision represents a pivotal step in protecting the U.S. National economy by promoting the offshore oil and
On May 10, 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) issued Customs Bulletin & Decisions, Vol. 51, No. 19, “Withdrawal of Proposed Modification and Revocation of Ruling Letters Relating to Customs Application of the Jones Act to the Transportation of Certain Merchandise and Equipment Between Coastwise Points.” The International Marine Contractors Association (“IMCA”) immediately welcomed this Decision and noted that it would protect the economy of the United States and protect against significant American job losses in the Gulf of Mexico (“GOM”). This Decision represents a pivotal step in protecting the U.S. National economy by promoting the offshore oil and
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