Tag: regulatory update

The era of digitalization and rapid development of technologies has called for immediate action, which led the IMO to issue and implement a series of regulations and guidelines on cyber risk management, with, last but not least, the adoption of the Resolution MSC.428(98), which calls companies to report any cyber risk in their ISM Code no later than January 1, 2021.

After the launch of the IMO's 2020 sulphur cap, Turkey updated its fines concerning tariffs for pollution; Accordingly, the new tariffs concern real persons and are applicable from 01/01/20 to 31/12/20. Namely, the fines are divided in four categories: A, B, C and D.

The Director General of Shipping in India issued an addendum on the regulation of banning single-use plastic in Indian waters, providing details concerning a delayed timetable for the introduction of the ban on plastics.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority issued a maritime bulletin informing of the voluntarily "early" implementation of the revised IMSBC Code concerning all ships registered in the Bahamas Authority.

The US Coast Guard Office of Port and Facility Compliance issued a reminder of approaching deadlines associated with the Seafarers’ Access to Maritime Facilities Final Rule, which was issued on 1st April and effective from 1st May 2019.

ClassNK published guidelines concerning autonomous ships and operations aiming to improving safety by preventing human error and improving working conditions by reducing the work load on crew members, and demonstration experiments are being carried out on a global scale.

In line with the stricter environmental regulations applied in 2020, South Korea has introduced domestically new environmental laws applying voluntary speed limits for ships and emission control areas, according to data provided by North P&I Club.

Cargo fires are not only an environmental concern but also cause large losses leading to severe business disruption and operator’s reputational damage. No matter how we have progressed on tackling with firefighting onboard, it can only take one container to start a fire onboard a large vessel.

The year 2020 has been eagerly anticipated by the maritime industry for the switch to a low-sulphur fuel environment. However, from January 1st of 2020, there are other regulations that take effect as well apart from the IMO Sulphur cap.  

The IMO Resolution MSC.462(101) – Amendments (05-19) to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, concerning ships carrying solid bulk cargoes, will come into force on January 1, 2021. The Standard Club alerts that although the amendments will be implemented in 2021, some contracting governments may apply these amendments in whole or in part on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2020.