Tag: regulatory update

Responding to IMO, ICS and ITF calls to facilitate the essential movement of seafarers and marine personnel amid COVID-19 pandemic, China, one of the major seafarer exporting countries, has taken measures to facilitate crew change in a safe manner. 

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.

The Brazilian Maritime Authority - Directorate of Ports and Coasts (DPC) issued a new amendment concerning the units operating in Brazilian waters, which will have to require certificates under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code until December 31, 2020.

The EU transport ministers held a meeting in Croatia and adopted a declaration on guidelines for the development of EU maritime policy, calling for emissions trading scheme to cover ships from all countries, aiming towards a carbon-neutral and zero pollution waterborne transport sector.

The Somali Shipping Code has been completed, after years of efforts to make Somalia's capacity to grow, sustain a blue economy and fight piracy, supported by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

ClassNK released its CBM Guidelines that explain the revised rules for using Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) in class surveys to promote the use of CBM technology. The revision came into force in January 2020, including not only explanations of the revised rules and how to apply the use of CBM in class surveys.

IMO’s SSE 7 took place in London on 2-6 March 2020. Highlights included agreement of draft new requirements for onboard lifting appliances, and on draft new interim guidelines for safe operation of shore power, as well as progressed work on ventilation of survival craft and on fire safety of ro-ro passenger ships.

Fatigue has been a much discussed issue linked to the nature of seafaring, which can have serious consequences not only for the safety and health of seafarers, but even operational safety and the marine environment. In this regard, AMSA issued guidelines to address fatigue for Australian and foreign flagged vessels. 

As part of its concrete efforts to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale over the last years, the Government of Canada now announced enhanced 2020 measures that will help reduce the risks to these marine mammals during the 2020 season from April to November.

Following a relatively smooth implementation of the main part of the IMO 2020 regulation, the next level of the non-compliant fuel carriage ban has now entered into force. Starting from 1st March 2020, ships are banned from even carrying fuel that contains a sulphur content higher than 0.5%, unless there is a scrubber installed.