Department of Homeland Security May 13, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the Department of Homeland Security will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act: Ship's Stores Declaration (CBP Form 1303). This is a proposed extension of an information collection that was previously approved. CBP is proposing that this information collection be extended with no change to the burden hours. This document is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register (78 FR 15031) on March 8, 2013, allowing for a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

The Coast Guard announces that International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution MEPC.203(62) amended Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). On July 15, 2011, the IMO formally adopted Resolution MEPC.203(62), which entered into force on January 1, 2013, and amends MARPOL Annex VI by adding Chapter 4 and amending existing regulations in Annex VI. These amendments require the issuance of an International Energy Efficiency Certificate and the preparation of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan for both new and existing ships. To obtain the certificate, (1) new ships, (2) new ships when they undergo a major conversion, and (3) existing ships that undergo a major conversion after January 1, 2013, so extensive that it is regarded as a newly constructed ship, must first have an Attained Energy Efficiency Design Index. These requirements apply to all U.S. flag ships 400 gross tonnage and above that engage in voyages to ports or offshore terminals under the jurisdiction of other Parties to MARPOL. The Coast Guard Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has issued Policy Letter 13-02 to provide amplifying guidance on U.S. implementation of MARPOL Annex VI Chapter 4 and associated requirements.