Circulars

Washington State has updated its Certificate of Financial Responsibility (COFR) requirements for foreign-flagged vessels entering Washington State waters. These changes are part of the newly adopted Chapter 173-187 WAC – Financial Responsibility, effective July 15, 2024, and vessels must comply by April 15, 2026. (Washington State Department of Ecology). Read more about the changes below.

We are pleased to share our latest Client Advisory (2/26), authored by Andrew Baskin, ShorelineHudson’s Global Policy Advisor in Washington, D.C. This bulletin provides a clear and structured analysis of three major U.S. policy developments that could reshape the global maritime landscape:

• The U.S. Maritime Action Plan (MAP)

• The SHIPS for America Act

• The USTR Section 301 Chinese-linked vessel port fees

This notice is to advise COFR applicants of changes in policy regarding the processing of “urgent” COFR applications. Effective March 30, 2026, the Vessel Certification Division (Cv) will no longer expedite “urgent" COFR applications at your request. "Urgent" means applications received within the 96-hour arrival notice.

To help clients navigate this high-stakes and fast-moving regulatory environment, we are now offering dedicated clearinghouse support service for USTR fees.

Next week, the U.S. begins enforcing port fees on Chinese-built, flagged, or operated vessels under new Section 301 tariff measures.

The U.S. Government has entered a shutdown following Congress’s failure to pass funding legislation.

Bermuda is forecast to experience hazardous weather from Hurricane Humberto late Tuesday, September 30 into Wednesday, October 1, followed by deteriorating conditions as (likely) Hurricane Imelda approaches late Wednesday into Thursday, October 2.

We write to advise you of an amendment to the MISL Policyholder Dividend (PHD) Policy 2025, originally effective 28th July 2025.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC) have announced that effective September 18, 12:00 a.m. EST, the ECOFR site will be deactivated. From this date, all Certificate of Financial Responsibility (COFR) transactions for Operators with Agent's of Process other than Shoreline, must be submitted via Pay.gov., please read our full circular here. 

We’re pleased to announce the publication of the MISL Policyholder Dividend (PHD) Policy 2025, effective Monday, 28 July 2025. The new Policy has been drafted to give you contract certainty, codifying how PHDs are earned, pooled, carried forward, redeemed, and retired while preserving all historic benefits you have already accrued.

We are pleased to announce that, following our partnership with Hudson, ShorelineHudson is now able to act as Agent for Service of Process for California and can facilitate Alaska State COFR applications, covering tank and non-tank vessels.

We recognise the operational and financial pressures these evolving regulations may impose. As your COFR Guarantor, MISL is committed to providing responsive and practical support as you evaluate and adjust your U.S. trading arrangements.