Tag: IMO

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) presents some of the highlights of last year in a wide range of subject areas. IMO saw actively pursuing its targets and objectives during 2013 by implementing the following:

MPA Singapore has issued circular to inform maritime community on the entering into force of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 and Merchant Shipping (Load Line) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.

Construction rules for bulk carriers and oil tankers IMO audit teams will shortly be established to verify construction rules for bulk carriers and oil tankers of classification societies which act as recognized organizations (ROs), following the receipt of requests for verification by the 31 December 2013 deadline.A new SOLAS regulation II-1/3-10 on Goal-based ship construction standards (GBS) for bulk carriers and oil tankers was adopted by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its eighty-seventh session in May 2010, by resolutionMSC.290(87).This regulation, which entered into force on 1 January 2012, requires that all oil tankers and bulk carriers of 150 m in length and above, for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 July 2016, satisfy applicable structural requirements conforming to the functional requirements of the International Goal-based Ship Construction Standards for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (GBS Standards) (resolutionMSC.287(87)).Under the GBS Standards, construction rules for bulk carriers and oil tankers of classification societies which act as recognized organizations (ROs) or national Administrations will be verified, based on the Guidelines for verification of conformity with goal-based ship construction standards for bulk carriers and oil tankers (resolution MSC.296(87)) (GBS Guidelines).According to the timetable approved by MSC 87, the deadline ...

On ship safety, testing of free-fall lifeboats, min safe manning levels, prohibition of blending A number of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and the 1988 Load Lines Protocol entered into force or took effect from 1 January 2014.The amendments cover passenger ship safety (in relation to safe return to port after a flooding casualty); the testing of free-fall lifeboats; minimum safe manning levels; prohibition of blending onboard; the revised MARPOL Annex III; the United States Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area; and the Winter Seasonal Zone off the southern tip of Africa.2012 May SOLAS amendmentsThe SOLAS amendments which entered into force on 1 January 2014 include the following:- amendment to SOLAS regulation II-1/8-1, to introduce a mandatory requirement for new passenger ships for either onboard stability computers or shore-based support, for the purpose of providing operational information to the Master for safe return to port after a flooding casualty;- amendment to SOLAS regulation III/20.11.2 regarding the testing of free-fall lifeboats, to require that the operational testing of free-fall lifeboat release systems shall be performed either by free-fall launch with only the operating ...

Lloyd's Register gudiance for shipowners and operators: Understanding ballast water management

SOLAS Regulation II-1/8-1 has been amended and will require operational information to be provided to the master after a flooding casualty to assist with decisions regarding safe return to port. The new requirement applies to passenger vessels over 120m in length or with three or more main vertical zones, constructed on or after 1 January, 2014.

The Standard P&I Club in its latest Standard Bulletin covers the latest news on the adoption of Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention. The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks 2007 which is due to come into force 12 months following the date on which 10 states have ratified it. To date, eight states have ratified the Convention, but more may do so soon. It is therefore expected that it will be in force in the near future.

Denmark has donated DKK 200,000 for the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO). The money is intended to assist all countries in complying with the IMO requirements on ballast water management and CO2 emissions.

On 13 December, the second formal Environment Council under the Lithuanian Presidency took place in Brussels. EU environment ministers discussed the draft Regulation on Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of CO2 emissions from maritime transport.

The new regulation will enter into force on 1 January 2014 The Republic of the Marshall Islands has issued Marine Safety Advsory No.73 to provide an update on the prohibition of blending MARPOL cargoes on board during sea voyage.The Maritime Safety Committee hasfinally adopted, during its 90thsession, resolution MSC.325(90) by which a new SOLASregulation prohibits the blending of bulk liquid cargoes and production processes during seavoyages. The new regulation will enter into force on 1 January 2014 and adds the following textafter the existing regulation 5-1 of SOLAS Chapter VI:Regulation 5-2 - Prohibition of the blending of bulk liquid cargoes and production processesduring sea voyages 1 The physical blending of bulk liquid cargoes during sea voyages is prohibited. Physicalblending refers to the process whereby the ship's cargo pumps and pipelines are used tointernally circulate two or more different cargoes with the intent to achieve a cargo with a newproduct designation. This prohibition does not preclude the master from undertaking cargotransfers for the safety of the ship or protection of the marine environment.2 The prohibition in paragraph 1 does not apply to the blending of products for use in the searchand exploitation of seabed mineral resources on board ships used to ...