Tag: ISM Code

The US Coast Guard Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance issued cyber risk management guidance for USCG Marine Inspectors and PSC Officers. Cyber risk management must be implemented into vessel SMS by the first ISM Document of Compliance verification after January 1, 2021.

RMI issued a safety advisory reminding that all RMI-flagged ships, including yachts, subject to the ISM Code, are required to integrate appropriate cyber risk measures into their SMS by the first annual verification of the company's Document of Compliance after 1 January 2021. 

The danger associated with enclosed spaces is a main safety concern for shipping, which is struggling to eliminate incidents despite various regulations in place. A recent ITF report revealed a total of 145 casualties in enclosed spaces in the past 20 years. The even alarming fact is that 28 of these casualties happened in the last 16 months.

In the new era of digitalization, the ISM Code, supported by the IMO Resolution MSC.428(98), requires ship owners and managers to assess cyber risk and implement relevant measures across all functions of their safety management system.

Black Sea MoU issued its annual PSC report recording a total of 212 detentions through 2019, with a detention percentage of 3.51%, which represents a 0.25% decrease compared to 283 detentions in 2018. Safety of navigation accounted for the majority of operational deficiencies in 2019. 

In its annual PSC report for 2019, Tokyo MoU informed of 983 ships detentions with detention rate at 3.13%. Tokyo MoU has recorded a total of 73,393 deficiencies, mostly related to fire safety measures, life-saving appliances and safety of navigation. 

The regulatory framework of the shipping industry is improving so that all challenges arising can be either prevented or dealt with. Yet, what happens with the cyber risks? The ISM Code is now more important than ever, to ensure that vessels report any identified cyber risk, and become cyber resilient.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Liberia Maritime Authority issued a marine advisory informing Shipowners, Operators, Masters and Recognized Organizations how to act in case they are facing difficulties in conducting their operations due to the outbreak. 

During the 2020 SAFETY4SEA London Forum, Capt. Mark Bull, Principal, Trafalgar Navigation Limited, questioned if the ISM Code is failing, after more than 20 years since its implementation. Capt. Bull firstly provided a brief history of the ISM Code, as well as a description of the five main areas where he felt the Code has failed and went on to explain how such potential failures affect the crew. Since it was introduced; however, nobody has reviewed the Code to ensure its ongoing effectiveness, he concluded.

A new edition of "Guidelines on the Application of the IMO International Safety Management (ISM) Code", is soon to be launched from the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). This is an updated edition of their previous guideline, which was published back in 1993.