World Shipping Council

The 2009 economic outlook presents huge challenges for all who are associated with the industry. As a result, carriers will focus on cost containment and operating efficiency to navigate through the global recession. However, the industry also will need to address other issues this year. Regarding the environment, carriers will face new U.S. vessel permit requirements that may lead to different standards for ballast water treatment and other discharges among the various U.S. states — making meaningful or predictable investment in shipboard treatment technology a difficult proposition. The successful 2008 revisions to Marpol Annex VI to address harmful vessel air pollutants will be followed in 2009 by the effort to define and create low-sulfur emission-control areas off U.S. and Canadian shores. And the effort to create a new regime to address vessel greenhouse gas emissions is a complex but compelling challenge for the International Maritime Organization, as the industry must avoid a patchwork of varying national or regional approaches to this global issue. 2009 is expected to see U.S. Customs and Border Protection work closely with shippers and carriers to implement the 10+2 regulations, which will provide the government with better information for improved cargo risk assessment. 2009 also will bring enforcement of the new Automated Export System regulations and expectations of greater clarity from the new U.S. administration about the 100 percent container-scanning policy. The industry will work closely with the European Commission as it develops its new Modernized Customs Code and information filing systems and with other trading nations as well, because the need to maintain the efficient and secure flow of international commerce is essential to the global economy. Finally, 2009 will see the beginning of the effort to achieve U.S. and international acceptance of the new UNCITRAL cargo liability convention, which will be known as the Rotterdam Rules.