Ocean-based commerce through international and domestic shipping is a critical and growing component of the U.S. scrap recycling industry towards accessing global markets.
The Jones Act
The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (P.L. 66-261), also known as the Jones Act, is a United States federal statute that provides for the promotion and maintenance of the American merchant marine. Among other purposes, the law regulates maritime commerce in U.S. waters and between U.S. ports.
World Shipping Council Issues New Shipping Guidance
The World Shipping Council (WSC) issued a new mandatory global requirement under the International Maritime Organization's International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) which will require every packed container to have a verified container weight as a condition for vessel loading. The regulations place a requirement on the shipper of a packed container to provide the container's gross verified weight to the ocean carrier and port terminal representative sufficiently in advance of vessel loading to be used in the preparation of the ship stowage plan. The WSC has developed a
guidance document to explain what the implementation of the SOLAS amendments will require of shippers, carriers, and terminal operators.