Tag: Amendments

Last week, Canada introduced new rules for whale watching and approaching marine mammals, which will provide a minimum approach distance of 100 metres for most whales, dolphins and porpoises to legally protect these animals from human disturbances.

In April 2018, IMO MEPC 72 adopted amendments to the IBC Code and BCH Code due to enter into force on January 1st of 2020. Namely, the amendments concern the International Certificate of Fitness and the Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a federal law on amendments to the merchant shipping code to pave the way for the formation of a Russian open register of ships. The register is anticipated for registration of marine vessels owned by foreign individuals and legal entities.

Mauritius has become the 15th signatory to the Jeddah Amendment to the Djibouti Code of Conduct, the instrument developed and adopted by countries in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden focused on repressing piracy and armed robbery against ships operating in the region.

Amendments to the STCW Convention and the STCW Code set a new requirement for training and emergency familiarization of crewmembers on passenger ships, effective from 1st of July 2018. All personnel are required to have undergone relevant training before being assigned to shipboard duties.

The Suez Canal Authority announced an increase on the allowed level of cargo residues on LNG tankers, in a bid to encourage more of these vessels to transit the Suez Canal. This move came as part of the SCA's efforts to strengthen competitiveness compared to other shipping routes. 

USCG announced availability of a policy letter titled “Guidelines for Qualifications of Personnel for Issuing STCW Endorsements for Basic and Advanced Polar Code Operations.” This provides guidance for the issuance of Merchant Mariner Credential endorsements in accordance with STCW Convention as amended for Polar Code.

The US Coast Guard National Maritime Center issued a bulletin to inform mariners and training providers of changes to the Code of Federal Regulations, 33 CFR Subchapter E – Inland Navigation Rules. This change, advertised in the Federal Register, on 24 January 2018, removed the word “danger” from rule 34.

As a response to the US re-imposition of sanctions against Iran, the EU intends to amend its Blocking Regulation (Regulation (EC) 2271/06) to protect EU companies from the extraterritorial effects of US secondary sanctions against Iran, the Standard P&I Club informed.

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside welcomed member states of the International Labour Organisation, Shipowners and representatives of seafarers, acknowledging the importance of seafarers’ welfare in the MLC 2006 amendments.