Tag: IMO

IMO discussed the use of gross tonnage 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EL X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 The IMOs Sub-committee on Stability and Load Lines and on Fishing Vessels Safety, at its fifty-third session in January 2011 (SLF 53), with regard to the options to improve the effect on ship design and safety within the 1969 Tonnage Measurement Convention (1969 TM Convention), discussed (among other issues) the use of gross tonnage figures as parameters for the applicability of standards concerning living and working conditions on ships and fishing vessels.At SLF 53, the International Labour Organization observer noted that there remains concern that the 1969 TM Convention has led to an economic disincentive for ship owners to improve such crew conditions, in particular by discouraging (by increasing associated costs) the provision of more than the minimum required accommodation space, and the provision of accommodation space for carrying cadets. The observer went on to say that improvements in crew accommodation are important to attracting and retaining seafarers, especially bearing in mind decreased opportunities for shore leave and the fast turnaround times of vessels in port; and that providing sufficient space for the carriage of cadets is important to ensuring the future of ...

Guidelines on tank entry for tankers using nitrogen The IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 99), in considering the approval of the revised 'Recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships' as completed by the Sub-committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC), also considered the circular on 'Guidelines on tank entry for tankers using nitrogen as an inerting medium' developed by the Sub-committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases (BLG).The Committee considered two documents, MSC 89/11/2 by Argentina and MSC 89/11/3 by Norway, INTERTANKO, OCIMF, IFSMA, ITF, NI and BIMCO which essentially proposed that these guidelines should be combined into one single guideline.It was proposed, in MSC 89/11/3, that the use of nitrogen in this context is not exclusive to tankers (it is also used on bulk carriers, gas carriers and offshore supply vessels) and therefore combining the guidelines into one guideline would ensure the widest possible availability and applicability, and would not be lost on seafarers who do not serve on tankers.It was also proposed that the principal issue should be that of precautions before entering enclosed spaces, and not what is within the enclosed space, as the latter would give the impression that some enclosed spaces could be more ...

Approved on Maritime Safety Committee 89th session - 11 to 20 May 2011 Interim guidance on the employment of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships transiting the high-risk piracy area off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden and the wider Indian Ocean was approved by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), which met at the Organization's London Headquarters for its 89th session from 11 to 20 May 2011.The MSC approved an MSC Circular on Interim guidance to shipowners, ship operators, and shipmasters on the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area, and Interim recommendations for flag States on the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area. Both sets of guidance are aimed at addressing the complex issue of the employment of private, armed security on board ships.The guidance to shipowners notes that flag State jurisdiction and any laws and regulations imposed by the flag State concerning the use of private security companies apply to their vessels. Port and coastal States laws may also apply to such vessels.The guidance notes that the use of privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) ...

Piracy high on the Agenda Piracy and armed robbery against ships off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden and the wider Indian Ocean will be high on the agenda when IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) meets at the Organization's London Headquarters for its 89th session from 11 to 20 May 2011.The busy agenda also includes adoption of amendments, concerning lifeboat release hooks, to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and work related to the implementation of the Torremolinos Protocol on fishing vessel safety, as well as goal-based standards for vessel construction and the long-range identification and tracking of ships. The MSC will also consider the approval of a number of draft resolutions for submission to the IMO Assembly, to be held in late 2011.Piracy and armed robbery against ships to be discussedThe MSC is expected to discuss the development of guidance on the employment of private, armed security service providers on board ships; measures to improve compliance with the Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and in the Arabian Sea area; and proposed guidelines to assist in the collection of evidence after a hijack.The number of ...

Questions to Theme day launch Panel

Part 1

For many the environmental rules set by the IMO are seen as a minimum standard There is more to environmental compliance than operating a vessel in accordance with whatever rule has come from the International Maritime Organization.Shipping is increasingly subject to commercial environmental pressure as other companies focus on their own supply chain performance and expect their suppliers to do the same.For many organisations the environmental rules that have been set by the IMO are seen as a minimum standard, and owners hoping to sound like they have a sound environmental stewardship by stating their vessels are in full compliance and by increasingly sounding like they are in fact doing the minimum needed.The development of commercial and social pressures comes as the shipping industry faces a make or break year. The IMO is hoping to get its design index sorted out and made mandatory and to develop a market-based measure. These are the two mandatory tools it hopes will demonstrate movement in tackling CO2 emissions from shipping.

All non complying appliances will have to be replaced Shipowners are pushing for guidelines on additional safety measures for lifeboat-securing systems following an agreement on evaluating and replacing the old-design onload release hooks that have led to dozens of fatal accidents in safety drills.Last month, at thedesign and equipment meeting at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) agreed guidelines for the evaluation and replacement of lifeboat-retrieval systems.It also agreed amendments to the Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code that will introduce extra safety arrangements to prevent the unintended release of lifeboats.Under the new regulation, all appliances not complying with the amended LSA Code will have to be replaced.

Movements to tackle CO2 emissions from shipping There is more to environmental compliance than operating a vessel in accordance with whatever rule has come from the International Maritime Organization.Shipping is increasingly subject to commercial environmental pressure as other companies focus on their own supply chain performance and expect their suppliers to do the same.For many organisations the environmental rules that have been set by the IMO are seen as a minimum standard, and owners hoping to sound like they have a sound environmental stewardship by stating their vessels are in full compliance are increasingly sounding like they are in fact doing the minimum needed.The development of commercial and social pressures comes as the shipping industry faces a make or break year. The IMO is hoping to get its design index sorted out and made mandatory and to develop a market-based measure.These are the two mandatory tools it hopes will demonstrate movement in tackling CO2 emissions from shipping.

Installation numbers are low Solutions have extensively covered ballast water treatment systems over the years but with the IMO Ballast Water Convention still not ratified, installation numbers have been low.When the time comes for existing vessels to be fitted there is a chance that some obstacles may be encountered. The IMO Ballast Water Convention is a well-known feature of the legislative landscape in the shipping sector.Less well appreciated are some of the technical complications and potential costs of retrofitting ballast water treatment systems.