Tag: IMO

BLG 17 Outcome IMO member states this week agreed on a proposal to undertake a trial period for port state control sampling and analysis once the International Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) has entered into force.Acknowledging that there remains a great deal of uncertainty about the methods used to sample ballast water and the real concerns of the industry as expressed in INTERTANKO's paper to the IMO last year, the IMO's Sub-Committee for Bulk Liquids and Gases (BLG 17) has set out a procedure for port states to trial sampling techniques. Importantly, during this trial period port state control (PSC) will refrain from initiating criminal sanctions or detaining the vessel should the sampling show that the discharged ballast water does not meet the standards in the BWMC.The issue was brought about originally at the previous BLG meeting held in early 2012 when concerns were aired by the industry that the methods for sampling and analysis being proposed for use by PSC were actually more stringent than those being used to test the ballast water management systems (BWMS) during Type Approval. In the submission to the IMO's MEPC 64 in October 2012, INTERTANKO and its co-sponsors expanded on the concern explaining ...

High Commissioner presents credentials to IMO

Italy s Casualty Report Still Overdue

The Board of Directors of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) - the principal international trade association for shipowners, representing all sectors and trades and over 80% of the world merchant fleet - met in London on February 5, 2013.Issues considered by ICS members included:frustration with the failure of Italy to submit a full maritime casualty report to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) following the 'Costa Concordia' cruise ship tragedy which occurred over a year ago; the continuing discussions at IMO and elsewhere on the best means of achieving further carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduction from ships; and serious concerns that the IMO Convention on Ship Recycling, adopted to improve standards throughout the world's ship recycling yards, is in danger of being undermined by regional measures being discussed by the European Union. ICS Commits to CO2 MRVThe ICS Board reviewed recent developments with respect to the international regulation of CO2 emissions from ships. This included proposals by the United States and the European Commission, and others, concerning the establishment of a mandatory system of Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of emissions (known as 'MRV').ICS Chairman, Masamichi Morooka, explained: "Our meeting agreed that ICS will fully support the concept of MRV, provided ...

IMO Secretary- General visits IMSO

Shipowners reject interference

Danish special requirement becomes international

Guide for cold water survival

Near Accident Reporting to the Marine Safety Investigation Unit (MSIU)

Shipowners need to ensure they have the right garbage-disposal procedures and policies in place The 'A' rated 170 million GT North P&I Club has reminded its Members that 2013 is the first full year of operation of new international garbage-disposal rules that greatly limit the dumping of garbage at sea. The reminder comes in the latest issue of the Club's loss prevention newsletter Signals, published on January 16, 2013 .According to North's loss prevention manager Andrew Glen, 'With very few specific exceptions, the new rules reverse the historical presumption that most garbage can be discharged at a suitable distance offshore. Shipowners thus need to ensure they have the right garbage-disposal procedures and policies in place and continue to keep the seas clean throughout 2013 and beyond.'In July 2011 the International Maritime Organization adopted amendments to Annex V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) in Resolution MEPC.201(62), and issued guidelines for their implementation in Resolutions MEPC.219(63) and MEPC.220(63).Restrictions on the disposal of cargo residues and the discharge of hold wash water containing cargo harmful to the marine environment (HME) have been tightened in the revised regulations. 'Not all shippers will be aware of their obligation ...