Tag: ICS

Speaking in Manila, the Chairman of ICS, Esben Poulsson, called for a revision of the IMO STCW Convention, which governs global standards for the training and certification of about two million merchant seafarers.  A revised STCW regime should enable the industry to adapt more effectively to technological advancements.

ICS welcomed the significant progress made by IMO's MEPC 73 on some key environmental issues, such as the GHG reduction from ships and the 2020 sulphur cap. ICS Chairman, Esben Poulsson, expressed satisfaction that IMO Member States have not sought to reopen the historic agreement or the CO2 reduction targets previously agreed, and praised China's proposals for organising future work.

ICS and the International Transport Workers’ Federation have released new 'Guidelines for implementing the Welfare aspects of the Maritime Labour Convention. MLC 2006 aims to ensure worldwide protection and enforcement of the rights of seafarers and to provide decent working and living conditions for seafarers.

The Italian vice minister for infrastructure and transport, Edoardo Rixi, has proposed the ease of taxes for companies that are sustainable and have measures to protect the environment. Mr. Rixi made this proposal during a speech ahead of the 2020 sulphur cap regulation.

ICS published a new study regarding the potential effects of autonomous ships on the role of seafarers and the global shipping industry. The study indicates that there will be no shortage of jobs for seafarers, especially officers, in the next two decades, while there will be more jobs ashore that require seafaring experience.

ICS published a new edition of its 'Guidance for the Preparation and Implementation of Garbage Management Plans as Required by MARPOL Annex V'. This edition aims to help shipping companies comply with the latest requirements of the IMO regulation regarding treatment and disposal of garbage from ships.  

To assist shipping companies prepare for the implementation of the IMO global sulphur cap for ships’ fuel oil, the International Chamber of Shipping has produced some guidance to help ensure compliance across the shipping industry with this regulatory game changer.  

At the United Nations in New York, the ICS is representing shipowners at a negotiation to agree a new legal instrument for the protection of the ocean under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. This instrument will apply to ‘high seas’ areas ‘beyond national jurisdiction’.

At the opening press conference of the SMM maritime trade fair in Hamburg, political and business leaders discussed key challenges that shipping has to face, with a special focus on the 2020 sulphur cap and the industry's goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by the year 2050.

ICS is encouraged by efforts made by IMO Member States to resolve some pressing practical challenges ahead of the 2020 sulphur cap global implementation. The announcement comes by ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe, after the IMO Intersessional Working Group meeting last week.