Mexico is the Fourth Largest Oil Producer in the Western Hemisphere.   Although production has fallen in recent years, oil revenues still generate over 10% of Mexico's export earnings. With its close proximity to the United States, Mexico tends to be a more cost-effective option for oil companies whose alternative drilling locations could...

Chances are, you've heard to the term "force majeure" by now. ​ As the shipping industry braces for the impact of COVID-19, companies are scrambling to understand how their businesses will be affected by the delay in the global supply chain. What is Force Majeure? ​ In short, force majeure allows one party to be relieved of contractual obligations ...

(Cape Town, South Africa) GMC's South Africa office has partnered with local authorities to help provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. The community outreach includes collecting soup ingredients and donating them to local ward councilors. In South Africa, ward councilors are responsible for the welfare of the people of their townships. Throu...

It Can Happen to You   The idea that your business' reputation and profitability could be forever tarnished by an export violation may seem like a far-off hypothetical, but in reality, export violations can carry heavy penalties and severe consequences. A company that has been found in violation, along with its leaders, comes under scrutiny as...

(Houston, Texas) Gulf Marine Contractors is proud to welcome Patrick Kuys as the new Managing Director for their Sub-Sahara Africa operations. Based out of Cape Town, South Africa, Mr. Kuys will lead GMC's growth in Africa. GMC is currently opening new locations in South Africa, Namibia, and Mozambique. In the near future, GMC plans to extend its n...

Whether it's due to poor packaging, water damage or other outside forces, cargo damage is a reality that most companies will have to deal with along the line. While cargo issues are an inevitable part of the shipping industry, there is a clear way for companies to claim compensation for damaged goods. What is a Cargo Damage Claim?   ​ Also kno...

Show 'em yer Larboard Side!    ​ Perhaps you've heard the term "larboard" shouted at the top of the old seafarer's lungs in your favorite historical drama film. Maybe, like many other tourists from around the world, you know it from the now defunct scene inside Disneyland's "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride. For 51 years an animatronic auct...

(Houston, Texas) Gulf Marine Contractors (GMC) is proud to announce Kevin Shockley as the company's new Financial Controller. Shockley will manage all of the GMC's transactions, from control accounts to general operational finance . Shockley comes to GMC from Pentagon Freight Services, where he worked as the Regional Financial Controller for the pr...

What is Cabotage?  ​ Cabotage refers to the transportation of goods or passengers between two places in the same country by a transport operator from another country. Cabotage law applies to merchant ships in most countries that have a coastline. It's a way for countries to protect their domestic shipping industries from foreign competition, p...

(Houston, TX) Gulf Marine Contractors (GMC), a leading on-demand marine agency and logistics provider to the offshore energy industry, is proud to announce the appointment of Sunjay Shankar as the company's Director of Business Development. With over 15 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Shankar will continue to drive business forward...

B1 OCS Visas and the OCS  ​ The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), which spans the area that lies between North America and the deep ocean, is a critical location when it comes to the production of natural resources. With the OCS divided into four regions (Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Pacific, and Alaska), there are thousands of maritime workers empl...

  How to Choose the Right Helicopter Contractor   In the Gulf of Mexico, helicopter transport plays a pivotal role in delivering both personnel and equipment to an otherwise secluded area of the world. While helicopters have long been a part of deepwater drilling and exploration, their usage continues today as oil rigs move farther o...

Foreign-Flagged Vessels Entering US Ports Face Many Requirements  Perhaps the most important and anticipated part of a ship's voyage is arriving at port. While it's an exciting time for vessel owners, there are a number of complexities involved in the process. As difficult as it can be for a US-flagged vessel to remain compliant with all ...

What are FIRMS Codes? ​   Facilities Information and Resources Management System (FIRMS) codes are four-digit identifiers consisting of both numbers and alphabetical letters, assigned by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to manage customs bonded facilities. The alpha-numeric code represents the exact location of imported ca...

The updated interpretation of the Jones Act goes into full effect today, February 17, 2020, as the gulf coast braces for the act's impact on the oil and gas and industry.   On December 11, 2019, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) finalized the changes to the controversial act which requires merchandise shipped between U.S. ports to be tr...

The United States Coast Guard only recently began regulating the towing industry.   The Coast Guard's rule to establish formal inspections of towing vessels, referred to as Subchapter M, was published in July 2016. Its publication provided the framework for the safe operation and administration of towing vessels. Subchapter M was implemented i...

How to Choose the Right Logistics Service Provider    There are few things more important than selecting the right logistics service provider (LSP) for your company's specific needs. The ability to connect with the right LSP can dictate your company's ability to control costs, increase efficiency, and retain customer satisfaction. Ultimat...

How to Choose a Support Vessel ​ Supply boats, crew boats, and other support vessels are a necessity in the oil field. Whether it's delivering equipment to rigs, ensuring crews arrive safely and on time, or simply providing support vessels for in-field operations, choosing the right vessel and owner is a pivotal part of this process. Howe...

​Why It's Important The offshore energy industry can get complicated, as companies try to navigate their way through the ever-changing rules and regulations surrounding maritime transportation. A small overlook of the rules can result in millions of dollars of fees, which can often be crippling to small businesses. We want to help simplify some of ...

Change is Coming...  Effective Jan. 1, 2020, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI will put into effect their revisions, including a reduction of the global sulfur cap from the current 3.5 % to 0.5 %. The new reduction will be regulated and enforced in United States waters by the United State...