Tag: MSC 95

MPA Singapore Circular 25/2015 MPA Singapore has issued Circular to bring the attention of operators to the IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1503 - ''The ECDIS: Guidance for Good Practice'' which approved during the ninety-fifth session of Maritime Safe Committee.Ship owners, managers, masters and deck officers of ships fitted with ECDIS are strongly encouraged to use the guidance to improve their understanding and facilitate safe and efficient usage of ECDIS.ECDIS Training Masters and deck officers on ships installed with ECDIS must have thorough knowledge and ability to use ECDIS for safe and efficient voyage. They should undertake approved Generic ECDIS Training meeting the competency requirements prescribed in 2010 Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and STCW Code. In addition, they must undergo Familiarisation Training to have operational knowledge of the specific model of ECDIS installed on the ship. Appropriate resources supplied by the ECDIS manufacturer (e.g. courses in ECDIS training centre ashore, e-learning viaDVD or similar means) may be accepted as part of the ECDIS Familiarisation Training. Trickle down training (i.e. one officer informally trains another on board a ship) is not acceptable. If Familiarisation Training is to be conducted on board, such training should be properly structured, provided by a dedicated officer ...

A Singapore has issued circular to inform the shipping community of the resolutions adopted by MSC 95 (3 to 12 June 2015) and urges the shipping community to prepare for the implementation of the resolutions

IMO MSC.1/Circ.1503 IMO's Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninety-fifth session in June 2015, approved the publication of a circular addressing the carriage and use of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS); MSC.1/Circ.1503 ECDIS - Guidance for Good Practice. This new circular draws together and consolidates into one publication the information contained in seven IMO ECDIS circulars.The new consolidated IMO ECDIS circular contains guidance on the following topics:SOLAS chart carriage requirementsECDIS software maintenanceOperating anomalies identified within ECDISThe differences between Raster Chart Display System (RCDS) and ECDISECDIS trainingTransitioning from paper charts to ECDISGuidance on training and assessment in the operational use of ECDIS simulatorsReferences to IMO ECDIS performance standards, and seven other IMO ECDIS related circulars which remain in forceOperators with vessels fitted with ECDIS may wish to forward copies of the new circular to their vessels for the attention and guidance of deck officers. The recommendations may also be taken into account when developing or updating systems and procedures addressing the implementation and use of ECDIS equipment on new and existing vessels.Please click below to read IMO Circular on ECDISSource: The West of England P&I Club

A new inter-agency platform for information sharing on migrant smuggling by sea has been launched by the IMO

Milestone in New Zealands drive for ship-based crane safety

Gas and low-flashpoint fuels code adopted by IMO The new mandatory code for ships fuelled by gases or other low-flashpoint fuels was adopted by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), when it met at the Organization's London headquarters for its 95th session from 3 to 12 June 2015. The Committee also placed unsafe mixed migration by sea on its agenda and considered cyber security matters and passenger ship safety. It adopted new ships' routeing measures and a number of circulars arising from items put forward by the sub-committees.IGF Code adoptedThe MSC adopted the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), along with amendments to make the Code mandatory under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).The use of gas as fuel, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), has increased in recent years due to lower sulphur and particulate emissions than fuel oil or marine diesel oil. But gas and other low-flashpoint fuels pose their own set of safety challenges, which need to be properly managed. The IGF Code aims to minimize the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment, having regard to the nature of the fuels involved.The amendments ...

3-12 June 2015 ABS has issued a brief overview including all highlights of IMO's Maritime Safety Committee, Session 95th, which met from 3 to 12 June 2015 in London. A number of amendmentsto SOLAS were adopted, as was a new Code for Gas Fueled Ships, which will enter into force on 1 January 2017Adopted SOLAS AmendmentsThe following amendments to SOLAS were adopted and will enter into force on 1 January 2017.Cargo tank venting arrangements in SOLAS Chapter II-2 (MSC.392(95)) have been revised for new oil tankers constructed on/after 1 January 2017 that will require secondary means of venting to allow full flow relief of cargo or inert gas vapors at all times including in the event of damage to, or inadvertent closing of, the primary means of venting. More specifically:Isolating valves - fitted in cargo tank venting arrangements that are combined with other cargo tanks are to be so arranged to permit the passage of large volumes of vapor, air or inert gas mixtures during cargo loading and ballasting, or during discharging.Secondary means for pressure/vacuum relief - in the event of damage to, or inadvertent closing of, the required tank isolation valve arrangement noted above, either:a secondary means of venting ...

Urgent action is needed to prevent huge losses of life at sea given the forecast increase in unsafe mixed migration by sea, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) agreed, following a special session on the issue (9 June). The MSC commended the efforts of rescue services, merchant vessels and others in saving lives. But it condemned the actions of the people smugglers. The MSC agreed that greater focus needs to be placed on addressing unsafe migration by sea through more safe and regular migration pathways. It was agreed that the issue of unsafe mixed migration by sea should be placed on the agenda of the MSC and other IMO bodies in order to further discuss the matter and develop actions.IMO Secretary-General Sekimizu told the MSC the situation was a truly humanitarian crisis which was not sustainable. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, addressing the MSC via video message, said this global issue required everyone to work together with a comprehensive approach, which would protect human rights, uphold international law and recognize the benefits of migration. Also addressing the special session were representatives of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Organization ...

During MSC, 95th session, 3-12 June 2015 IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), which meets at the Organization's London headquarters for its 95th session from 3 to 12 June 2015, is expected to adopt a new mandatory code for gas-fuelled ships.The Committee will also consider cyber security matters and passenger ship safety, as well as a number of items put forward by the sub-committees.IGF Code set for adoptionThe MSC is expected to adopt the draft International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), along with draft amendments to make the Code mandatory under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).As a fuel with lower emissions than fuel oil and marine diesel oil, the use of gas as fuel, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), has increased in recent years. But gas as fuel poses its own set of safety challenges, which need to be properly managed. The IGF Code aims to minimize the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment, having regard to the nature of the fuels involved.The proposed draft amendments to SOLAS chapter II-1 (Construction - Structure, subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations), include amendments to Part ...