Tag: IMO

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IMO issues circular re TITANIC wreckage protection

IMO MEPC.1/Circ 779 At the request of the US Coast Guard, the IMO issued a circular requesting that, in advance of the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS TITANIC, international shipping voluntarily refrain from certain activities that have the potential to pollute, disturb, or otherwise disrespect this international maritime memorial.For more information, click here.Source: IMO

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Cruise safety in IMO sights

Sekimizu called for a safety review of the latest generation of mega-cruiseships The newly elected International Maritime Organiation (IMO) secretary general Koji Sekimizu is planning a fresh initiative on passenger safety following the Costa Concordia tragedy.Sekimizu says that although under maritime international law, the incident could be handled entirely by the Italians under Italian law, he feels passengership safety should be tackled at a global level through the IMO.IMO secretary general, Koji Sekimizu. The latest edition of TradeWinds weekly newspaper reports that Sekimizu called for a safety review of the latest generation of mega-cruiseships at an International Maritime Industries Forum event in London."The Costa Concordia accident happened in Italy, it is an Italian ship with an Italian master sailing under the Italian flag. This could be handled under Italian law but among the passengers there were 70 other nationalities involved and the cruise business is an international activity."He said he expects to set up a new agenda for discussing passengership safety at the upcoming Maritime Safety Council (MSC) meeting scheduled for May.He added that at the MSC meeting member states may decide to tackle the safety of large passengerships."The new agenda may trigger a safety evaluation of large passenger vessels ...

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Singapore MPA issues circular re updates on guidance to deter piracy

Recent updates to IMO circulars MPA Singapore issues circular regarding updates on guidance to deter piracy in the high-risk area off the coast of Somalia.Registering with and reporting to the MSCHOA and UKMTO are part ofkey fundamentals of the BMP. Singapore-registered ships should report to theMSCHOA prior to entering the High Risk Area (HRA) (an area bounded by theSuez and the Strait of Hormuz to the North, 10oS and 78oE). Ships entering theUKMTO Reporting Area (an area bounded by Suez to the North, 10oS and 78oE) should send an initial report and to report daily to the UKMTO, even if the ship was not transiting the HRA or stationed for prolonged periods in ports or in the offshore waters of ports in the vicinity of the HRA.Shipowners, managers and operators of Singapore-registered vessels areadvised to instruct their shipmasters and crew to remain vigilant when passing through the High Risk Area and to monitor situational updates as per provided in the Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) websiteFor more information, click here.Source: Singapore MPA

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Definition and measurement of Black Carbon in international shipping

IMO BLG 16/15/4 IMO issues document which proposes a definition of Black Carbon, identifiespotential measurement methods, offers evaluation criteria to compare measurement techniques, and suggests an appropriate measurement method for international shipping, based on expert guidance and scientific review.The information provided contributes to the current discussions on Black Carbon by identifying the state of the art for its definition and measurement.For more information, click here.Source: IMO

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Koji Sekimizu Visits PTC Regional Office in Manila

IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu visits Philippines International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General Koji Sekimizu visited the agency's regional headquarters in East Asia located at the head office of Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTC) in Makati last February 7, 2012 as part of his 3-day state visit to the country.In his first official visit to the country after assuming office last January 2, he underscored the importance the IMO has bestowed on the Philippines as a maritime country and a primary source of highly-qualified and competent maritime professionals worldwide.Secretary General Sekimizu was warmly welcomed by PTC Chairman, Ambassador Carlos C. Salinas and other PTC officials; members of the IMO Regional Presence for Technical Co-operation in East Asia headed by Regional Coordinator Atty. Brenda V. Pimentel; representatives of the Filipino Shipowners Association (FSA); and alumni of the World Maritime University and the International Maritime Law Institute.A brief closed-door meeting took place between the Secretary General and the IMO regional officers, followed by a tour of the Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training, Inc. (PHILCAMSAT), an internationally-certified training center dedicated to the continuing professional advancement of Filipino seafarers. Highly-impressed with PHILCAMSAT's world-class training facilities, Secretary General Sekimizu experimented with one of ...

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Emission of black cargo in Arctic regions, BWM Convection and the use of natural gas on the agenda

IMO BLG as just held its 16th session in London The United Nations' International Maritime Organization's Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases (BLG) has just held its 16th session in London. One of the subjects on the agenda was the effect on the Arctic regions of black carbon emitted from international shipping.The Sub-Committee discussed how to define black carbon from international shipping and how to measure the effect in the Arctic regions.This work was not finalised at the meeting, but the Sub-Committee decided to continue the work in a correspondence group until the next meeting. Furthermore, one would ask the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) to put this issue on the agenda of the BLG Sub-Committee in the future.In addition, the following issues were discussed at this session of the BLG Sub-Committee:- The drafting of guidelines for sampling in connection with the Ballast Water Management Convention (at present, Denmark is preparing ratification of the Ballast Water Management Convention.- The use of natural gas as an alternative fuel in the light of the strict sulphur requirements entering into force in 2015 and the necessary safety regulations concerning ships' use of gas as fuel.Source: Danish Maritime Authority

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IMO cites positive government steps on seafarer training

Filipino seafarers' education and training make progress The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has lauded what it calls significant steps being taken by the Philippine government to address concerns of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) about Filipino seafarers' education and training.IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu said the government has taken seriously comments made by other countries about the training of Filipino seafarers, as well as the EMSA's audit findings, and responded with very positive steps."I believe the Philippine government will properly address the concerns of EMSA. I am assured by the Maritime Industry Authority, Department of Labor and Employment the Department of Transportation and Communication that they are attuned in a way to produce a single voice of the government," Sekimizu said."I understand the difficulty of handling various agencies, it is not an easy task for the government," he added.Maritime industry stakeholders have been pushing for a single maritime STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Administration to ensure the correct interpretation and implementation of provisions of the Manila Amendments of the International Convention on Seafarers' Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, or Seafarers' Convention.Sekimizu said positive steps have been made, including a review of the certification and educational system for ...

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Corrosion protection of crude oil cargo tanks

New IMO regulations Lloyd's Register has developed a guidance note to explain the options included in new IMO regulation regarding Corrosion protection of crude oil cargo tanks.Following incidents resulting from structural failure in oil tankers, the IMO developed requirements aimed at inhibiting corrosion in cargo oil tanks by way of performance standards.These performance standards are now being made mandatory by an amendment to SOLAS: regulation II-1/3-11, Corrosion Protection of Cargo Oil Tanks of Crude Oil Tankers, adopted by Resolution MSC.291(87).For more information, click here.Source: Lloyd's Register

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List of Areas Under MARPOL and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas

IMO MEPC.1/Circ 778 IMO issues Circular MEPC.1/Circ 778 regarding List of Areas Under MARPOL and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas as follows:The MARPOL Convention defines certain sea areas as "Special Areas" in which, for technical reasons relating to their oceanographical and ecological condition and to their seatraffic, the adoption of special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution is required.Under the Convention, these Special Areas are provided with a higher level of protection than other sea areas. They are designated by IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) by amendments to the relevant MARPOL Annexes.There are such areas under MARPOL Annexes I, II, IV and V. Under MARPOL Annex VI, such areas are called Emission Control Areas.Annex 1 to this circular contains a list of Special Areas and Emission Control Areas under MARPOL. It also provides information on the adoption date of amendments to the MARPOL Annexes as appropriate and the date of entry into force for such amendments as well as the date when the more stringent measures took effect for the Special Areas.You may view the MEPC1/Circ 778 by clicking here.Source: IMO

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Fast rescue boat launching appliance ‘wave compensator’ devices

Requirements for new fast rescue boat launching appliances IMO Resolution MSC.218(82) introduced requirements for new fast rescue boat launching appliances, which entered into force on July 1, 2008.One of the new requirements was that fast rescue boat launching appliances be fitted with a 'wave compensator' device. These are automatic high-speed tensioning devices which prevent the davit wire fromgoing slack when launching fast rescue boats in adverse sea state conditions.In 2010 there was an incident on board a cargo ship, in which several crew members sustained serious injuries when trying to launch a fast rescue boat. The injured personnel were crewing the fast rescue boat when thelaunching appliance wave compensator device caused the boat to descend rapidly and hit the water, from height of approximately 18 metres. The accident was investigated and found to be caused by faulty installationof the wave compensator device.Recently, during installation testing of a fast rescue boat launching appliance, produced by a different manufacturer, the appliance was found to have a similar problem. This problem was also found to be causedfaulty installation of the wave compensator device.What should owners and operators do now?Owners and operators of ships should check if their vessels are fitted with fast rescue ...

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