Tag: regulatory update

The first international treaty on violence and harassment in the world of work comes into force on June 25th 2021, two years after it was adopted by the ILO’s International Labour Conference (ILC).

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region gazetted the United Nations Sanctions (Yemen) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2021 in late May, prohibiting, among others, the supply, sale, transfer or carriage of arms or related materiel to certain persons or entities. 

The short-term measures adopted at IMO MEPC 76 to cut carbon intensity of ships fell short of what was needed to cut the industry's carbon footprint, according to several shipping experts.

The IMO MEPC 76 adopted a short-term annual ship CO2 intensity reduction target aimed at meeting the target set in the Initial GHG Strategy – to reduce carbon intensity of all ships by 40% by 2030, compared to 2008. These will be mandatory measures under MARPOL Annex VI.

During the 76th session of the Maritime Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC 76), the IMO has banned the use of cybutryne in antifouling systems (AFS) from 1 January 2023.

The IMO's MEPC 76 took place virtually from 10 to 17 June 2021, adopting amendments to MARPOL Annex VI that will require ships to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the 2018 Initial IMO Strategy. The meeting also adopted an HFO ban for ships in Arctic. Both decisions were seen as inadequate by green groups and a significant part of the industry. 

CDC eased its stance on the safety of cruise travel for vaccinated passengers, lowering the travel alert level.

During the last day of MEPC 76, the IMO adopted a ban on the use of HFO in the Arctic region amid a wide criticism by green groups claiming loopholes in the regulations which will allow many vessels to keep sailing without enough regulatory control.

BIMCO announced that its Documentary Committee has adopted a clearly worded standalone refund guarantee to assist parties in their shipbuilding projects. The refund guarantee aims to safeguard against the risk of the shipyard defaulting or becoming insolvent before the ship is delivered. 

Black Sea MoU issued an overview of COVID-19 measures applying to PSC officers in its six member countries: Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. The list is updated as of 15 June 2021.