[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 5, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46139-46140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21842]



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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice No. 2250]


Shipping Coordinating Committee International Maritime 
Organization (IMO) Legal Committee; Meeting

    The U.S. Shipping Coordinating Committee (SHC) will conduct an open 
meeting at 10 a.m., on Thursday, September 28, 1995, in Room 6319 of 
U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 

[[Page 46140]]
Second Street, SW., Washington, DC. The purpose of this meeting is to 
assist the United States Delegation in preparing for the eighth session 
of the Joint Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Maritime Liens and 
Mortgages (JIGE), to be held October 9-10, 1995, and the 73rd session 
of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Legal Committee, to be 
held October 11-13, 1995. Public comment will also be sought at the 
meeting regarding the acceptability of the International Convention on 
Maritime Liens and Mortgages, 1993 (93 MLM Convention).
    To facilitate the attendance of those participants who may be 
interested in only certain aspects of the public meeting, the first 
subject addressed will be the status of the JIGE negotiations to revise 
the International Convention on the Unification of Certain Rules 
Related to the Arrest of Seagoing Ships, 1952 (1952 Arrest Convention). 
The principal focus of the JIGE will be: (1) Expanding the list of 
maritime claims for which a vessel may be arrested; (2) whether 
personal liability of the owner is a prerequisite to arrest, 
particularly when the claim is secured by a maritime lien; (3) the 
obligation of contracting parties to recognize and permit enforcement 
of national maritime liens granted under Article 6 of the 93 MLM 
Convention; (4) whether the arresting court should decide the merits of 
the case; and (5) the extent to which the Convention should be applied 
to vessels of non-contracting States. The United States has not 
ratified the 1952 Arrest Convention. However, the interests of United 
States owners of foreign flag vessels, cargo owners, and maritime 
claimants may be affected by changes to the Convention.
    The second major group of subjects, which will be considered at 
approximately 10:30 a.m., will be the agenda items set for discussion 
at the 73rd session of the Legal Committee. The first agenda item will 
be preparations for the upcoming diplomatic conference that will adopt 
the draft Convention on Liability and Compensation in Connection with 
the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (HNS 
Convention) and the Protocol to amend the International Convention on 
Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (76 LLMC). Substantive 
agenda items for the 73rd session of the Legal Committee include 
consideration of a draft convention on offshore mobile craft, possible 
work on a draft convention on wreck removal, and consideration of a 
liability and compensation regime for bunker fuel incidents.
    Last, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the public will be invited to 
comment on the acceptability of the 93 MLM Convention. In May 1993, the 
new Convention was adopted by delegations from sixty-five nations at a 
diplomatic conference convened under the joint auspices of the IMO and 
the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The 
United States is not a signatory to the 93 MLM Convention, but the 
interests of United States shipowners and lienholders could be affected 
once the Convention enters into force abroad, particularly regarding 
ship financing and the recognition, priority, and extinction of 
maritime liens.
    Members of the public are invited to attend the SHC meeting, up to 
the seating capacity of the room. For further information or to submit 
views concerning the subjects of discussion, contact either Captain 
David J. Kantor or Lieutenant Commander Steven D. Poulin, U.S. Coast 
Guard (G-LMI), 2100 Second Street, SW., Washington, DC 20593, telephone 
(202) 267-1527, telefax (202) 267-4496.

    Dated: August 24, 1995.
Charles A. Mast,
Chairman, Shipping Coordinating Committee.
[FR Doc. 95-21842 Filed 9-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-07-M