Author Archives: Site Administrator
Passing muster: Directive 1999/32/EC and Enforcement Directed Against Bunker Suppliers and Traders
The EC is preparing to shift its angle of attack in its ongoing campaign against those who fail to comply with sulphur regulations. As the latest battle lines are drawn up, bunker suppliers are clearly in the line of fire. Drawing on the narrative of a well-known Russian epic, Steve Simms of Simms Showers… Read More »
OW, Lions, and Last-ING Appetite
Firm Principal Steve Simms recently explained the latest challenge facing ship owners and charterers in the wake of the OW insolvency. By jumping on the ING bandwagon and attempting to avoid having to pay physical suppliers for their bunker supply, many owners and charterers have made a regrettable decision for which they just may… Read More »
Maryland Adopts Mandatory Retirement Plan for Employers
Maryland House Bill 1378 and Senate Bill 1007 set up the Maryland Small Business Retirement Savings Program and Trust, which provides for automatic enrollment in individual retirement accounts (IRAs) of private sector employees. The program took effect on July 1, 2016. Employers with at least 10 eligible employees are required to enroll in the… Read More »
How to Handle Misclassification of Workers
The misclassification of workers as independent contractors is an issue that federal and state governments have been trying to address for decades. As businesses try to lean out their operations and outsource work to independent contractors, this has become an even greyer area in terms of wage and tax issues. In addition, because the… Read More »
Enforcement of Sulphur Regulations by the European Commission
Firm Principal Steve Simms recently explained the latest challenge of the European Commission (EC) in the enforcement of sulphur regulations on marine fuel suppliers in an article for Bunkerspot. With the anticipated imposition of the 2020 global 0.50% sulphur cap through Directive 1999/32/EC, the marine fuel industry is bracing itself for an anticipated host… Read More »
Rising Concerns Over Unpaid Internships
The issue of unpaid internships is back in the spotlight after news that a settlement agreement between Fox and its unpaid interns has been filed for approval in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Glatt, et al. v Fox Searchlight Pictures, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 11-CV-6784). The case… Read More »
The Interplay of State and Federal Laws for Monitoring Overtime Compliance
The new federal overtime rule, which will go into effect December 1, 2016, has changed the thresholds for the employee exempt status from being required to receive overtime pay. Under the new federal rule, the salary threshold for the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) white-collar exemptions will go up to $47,476 per year, or… Read More »
New Maximum Penalties for OSHA Violations Now in Effect
The maximum penalties for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have just gone up by 78 percent as of August 1, 2016. Legislation mandating the increase in maximum penalties to account for inflation was passed in November of 2015 and was the first time that the penalties have been increased since 1990. For… Read More »
The Impact of RES COGITANS on the Bunker Industry
Firm Principal Steve Simms recently explained the outcome of the UK Supreme Court decision in the Res Cogitans case in an article for Bunkerspot. The May 11, 2016 decision in the Res Cogitans case essentially requires a vessel owner or manager to pay multiple times for bunkers supplied to the vessel, even to parties… Read More »
BREAKING: Hanjin Shipping Files for Receivership
South Korea’s largest container carrier – Hanjin Shipping – has just filed for receivership. Years of weak demand have negatively impacted the many maritime industries, including shipping. News of Hanjin’s situation follows reports that South Korean shipowner Hyundai Merchant Marine may avoid similar receivership after agreeing to become a subsidiary of lender Korea Development… Read More »
