Regulation

The ISM Code, part of the mandatory regulations in marine industry, goes back to the late ‘80s; which is therefore its impact to the maritime industry these twenty years?

The revised guidelines, which were approved during MSC 100, are composed of six modules. Module 1 contains general information on fatigue while the remaining tackle with fatigue in relation to the company, seafarer, awareness and training, ship design, Administration and Port State Authorities.

The entry into force of the sulphur cap in the beginning of 2020 is – and will be – the highlight of the year. However, at the end of 2020, ships must comply with another very important requirement. Specifically, starting from 31 December 2020, ships above 500 GT and flying the flag of an EU/EEA member state, or third-party flagged vessels calling at European ports, must carry an Inventory Hazardous Materials (IHM) certificate on board. To shed light on this matter, DNV GL hosted a webinar, providing more information about the subject.

With Resolution MSC.402(96), IMO issued amendments for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats /rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear, which came into force in January 2020.

The Republic of Marshall Islands issued a Notice informing about the requirements of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG Code), concerning their decision on allowing 200 bar oxygen cylinders to be replaced with those of an equivalent capacity.

2019 is considered a busy year for the shipping industry and the IMO, especially with the upcoming SOLAS amendments. In fact, special consideration should be given to amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-1 on damage stability, which came into force in 2009. Amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-1 aim to harmonise cargo ship and passenger ship damage stability, as they made probabilistic damage stability the main method for calculating damage stability.

1st January of 2020 marks the beginning for many regulatory updates for shipping. One of them is the new IMO requirements for the maintenance, examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats; the following article outlines key changes to assist operators in effective compliance with new requirements.

IMO has published changes to The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG Code), incorporating the 2018 edition (feat. Amendment 39-18) which comes into force on 1 January 2020 for two years and may be applied voluntarily as from 1 January 2019.

During IMO's 30th session assembly, the organization adopted resolution A.1116(30) about Escape Route Signs and Equipment Location Markings. The resolution harmonizes the requirement of SOLAS regulations II-2/13, II-2/15, III/9, III/11, III/20, taking into consideration the ISO standard 24409. These signs and markings apply to vessels that are constructed on or after 1st January 2019 and current ships that undergo repairs, alterations, modifications and outfitting.

UK P&I Club advises members that a new regulation on data collection for energy consumption of vessels has been enacted by the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration, which was put forward on January 1, 2019. According to the new regulation, applicable vessels calling at Chinese ports are to submit to the MSA the 'Data Report Format for Energy Consumption of Ships', and providing information on the last voyage, prior to their departure from the port.