Tag: IMO

Health or transportation safety hazards Radioactive material from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant is gradually spreading outside Japan into the global atmosphere but at extremely low concentrations that do not present health or transportation safety hazards, according to the United Nations organizations closely monitoring the situation.Japanese authorities confirm that all airports in the country, with the exception of Sendai which was affected by the tsunami of 11 March, continue to operate normally for both international and domestic operations. Continuous monitoring around these airports confirms that radiation levels are well within safe limits from a health perspective. For updates, travellers visiting Japan by air are advised to consult a dedicated website established by the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau: http://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/flyjapan_en/.Japanese authorities also confirm that all international seaports not damaged by the earthquake and tsunami are operating normally and that no health risk has been detected around the ports, based on the results of measurements of radiation levels by local governments. Further information covering all aspects of the response of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, as well as information regarding the radiation dose in Tokyo Bay can be found on the following websites:http://www.mlit.go.jp/page/kanbo01_hy_001411.htmlhttp://www.mlit.go.jp/kowan/kowan_fr1_000041.htmlScreening for radiation of passengers arriving ...

Concept to minimise the amount of oily bilge water in machinery spaces The Integrated Bilge Water Treatment System (IBTS) concept was promoted by Japan and recognised by the IMOthrough its MEPC.1/Circ 642 as an excellent concept to minimise the amount of oily bilge water generated in machinery spaces and with an integrated means to process the oily bilge water and oil residue (sludge).In principle, the IBTS is a concept of an installation containing a bilge primary tank and proper control of the flow of drain streams, aiming to segregate as much as possible oily streams from the drain streams of clean water, and avoid their admixture.Unfortunately, ships which use oily water separator systems based on the IBTS concept have reported negative experiences with port state control officers who are not convinced that ships can generate significantly low oily water volumes.To avoid this, Japan and the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) have suggested that ships equipped withinstallations based on the IBTS concept are given a Statement of Fact, which is a check list acknowledging that the installation follows the IBTS as described in MEPC .1/Circ. 642.INTERTANKO and other ship owner organisations supported the promotion of IBTS. INTERTANKO recommended that Governments ...

System makers busy Manufacturers of electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS) are reducing prices and being pushed to add more functionality as more shipowners and managers order equipment.All vessels over 500 gt will be required to install at least one Ecdis system by July 2018 to be compliant with recent rules laid down by the International Maritime Organization.The industry has a set of rolling deadlines that will keep the system makers busy for the next seven years.Source: Safety4Sea

Cutting carbon emissions from the world fleet A straight fuel oil levy on all ships has been given cautious backing by the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee as the least harmful option among market based mechanisms for cutting carbon emissions from the world fleet.The London-based committee, which has often played the significant role of a think-tank as well as representing Greek shipping offices in the UK, gave measured support for a fuel levy as "the more suitable mechanism".But this was on the provision that any mechanism should be designed and implemented by the International Maritime Organization and any revenue resulting should be directed by the IMO, and purely for environmental benefit.Source: Safety4Sea

Two pirates With the release of the RAK Afrikana, held by Somali pirates with 11 Indian sailors among its crew, the number of Indian sailors held by Somali pirates is now 53.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today informed that the Indian sailors had been held during the capture of the ships including MV Iceberg - Panamian Flag, MV Suez - Panamian Flag, MT Asphalt Venture - Panamian Flag, MT Savina Caylyn - Italian Flag and MV Sinin - Panamian Flag.The MEA release said that the UN Security Council and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) are working on prevention, guidance, reporting and cooperation to mitigate piracy."One Indian naval ship has been deployed in the Gulf of Aden to escort Indian shipping interests since 2008. Following recent incidents of pirate attacks closer to Indian western shores, the Indian Navy has increased its vigil and neutralized two pirate "mother ships" and captured 43 pirates," it added.The MEA release further said that the Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India has issued numerous advisories, circulars and notices on the recommended traffic corridors, protocol with Indian naval ships, precautions to be taken and areas to be avoided."It is also necessary for flag States to ...

Take on a more dynamic role Brutal murders of seafarers in recent weeks galvanised the Global Maritime Education & Training Association (GlobalMET) to take the bull by the horns. Instead of waiting for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to come up with a lasting solution to the problem of piracy, it has decided to put its act together,take on a more dynamic role by ensuring that within the training and education programme sufficient awareness is created so that seafarers closely adhere to the Best Management Practices, which can assure safety while in piracy infested waters.The conference it organised on 28th February in Mumbai on "Piracy - Orchestrating the Response" (conforming with the IMO theme for 2011) it became evident at that it has more on its hands then it bargained for.With regards creating awareness on piracy among seafarers Capt Rod Short, Executive Secretary of GlobalMET said that the Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention did not have the necessary direction for the seafarers for tackling piracy. The next amendment to the STCW convention was only due in 2015. Dr. Agnihotri, Director General of Shipping, Government of India cautioned, "Many are looking at piracy as a business opportunity. It ...

Circular letter The IMO issued a Circular Letter forwarding a communication from Angola, Argentina, Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Peru, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Venezuela providing comments on a prior Circular Letter that contained proposed draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI related to energy efficiency measures for ships.To view the letter please click hereSource: IMO

Incedents of piracy and armed robbery The IMO has issued its monthly report MSC.4/Circ.167 dated 7 February 2011 giving all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported to the IMO between 31 December 2010 and 31 January 2011.The report makes a distinction between acts of piracy, and acts of armed robbery against ships, and attempted attacks.Source : IMO

Important items on the agenda The governing body of the IMO Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquid and Gasses (BLG) is the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). BLG primarily deals with carriage requirements and properties of bulk chemicals and gasses as well as matters related to the NOx Technical Code under MARPOL Annex VI. The BLG further currently host two working groups respectively dealing withAir Emissionsand Ballast Water Management related issues.BIMCO will attend BLG 15 from 7-11 February 2011, where the following important items are on the agenda:Development of guidelines and other documents for uniform implementation of the 2004 BWM Convention;Development of international measures for minimising the transfer of invasive aquatic species through bio-fouling of ships;Review of relevant non-mandatory instruments as a consequence of the amended MARPOL Annex VI and the NOx Technical Code;Application of the requirements for the carriage of bio-fuels and bio-fuel blends.BIMCOis co-sponsoring one submission, primarily commenting on a submission from Norway/INTERTANKO thatattempts tosuggest means for ensuring that the fuel delivered to ships is of a constant quality. The danger with such proposed initiatives is that it could result in more monitoring of ships, as thereis no meansof implementing legislation applicable to ports or bunker suppliers. BIMCO, even though ...

Enquiries regarding environmentally hazardous substances The BIMCO Marine Department has received someenquiries regarding mineral concentrates and metal sulphide concentrates in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code.The enquiries centered onwhether these cargoes are considered environmentally hazardous substances(EHS)and thus should be IMO-classed 9(i.e. miscellaneous hazardous substances that are not classifed elswhere in the IMDG Code) and havingUN 3077 listing.Operators should take note thatenvironmentally hazardous substances are currently not covered in the IMSBC Code for bulk materials and this has been brought to the attention to the relevant committees in the International Maritime Organzation. It was agreedthereatthat this matter needed further investigation.Operators shouldalso note that notwithstanding the above, there may be stricter requirements at the port of loading/discharg regarding the declaration of mineral concentrates and metal sulphide concentrates in terms of them being EHS.For instance, please see the marinenotice issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority imposing additionalrequirementsto be implemented for these cargoes in respect of their properties that may meet the criteria as EHS under UN 3077.Therefore, it would be prudent for operators toalways check beforehand, the requirements at the port of loading/discharge when shipping the above-mentioned cargoes so as to ensure that the additional requirements, if anyimposed by these ...