Tag: regulatory update

From 14 January 2019 OCIMF extended access to the TMSA reports to include non-OCIMF members who are registered as SIRE recipients. This move aims to ensure that more information is available to more users, and it will help to improve safety and marine assurance in the industry.

IMO’s Polar Code aims to ensure that ships operating in the Arctic and Antarctic areas consider extremes of temperature and make sure critical equipment remains operational. Draft guidance for navigation and communication equipment intended for use on ships operating in polar waters is expected to be finalized by the current session of the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue.

Transport Canada published a bulletin, clarifying the Canadian requirements about the maximum height of timber deck cargoes above the vessel’s weather deck and the measurement of the height. Transport Canada has noticed several occasions where the maximum height of the timber deck cargoes allowed on deck was questioned because of different interpretations.

Gard Club summarizes the 2019 maritime regulatory landscape. The marine industry experienced many regulations coming into force on 2018, with the same expected to happen in 2019. These regulations regard crew, safety, environment, cargo, and certification. 

The second set of amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) for improving crew safety and welfare have entered into force, as of 8 January 2019. The amendments, agreed in 2016, are comprised of additions to the guidelines of Regulation 4.3. They cover health and safety protection and accident prevention. 

From 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020, new pollution fine tariffs are applying in Turkey. The London P&I Club informs about the fines and suggests ways to prevent them from taking place. The fines regard petroleum, dirty ballast and garbage and sewage.

OCIMF published an information paper on 'Transfer of Personnel by Crane Between Vessels', focusing on the use of an onboard crane for personnel transfer, that has risks. This paper addresses those risks and provides guidance that should be used in the risk assessment process to determine the method of transfer, comparing transfers using a crane to transfers using a pilot ladder and transfers using an accommodation ladder.

The UK P&I Club informed that new articles have recently been added to the Turkish Commercial Code. These articles make it compulsory for parties to refer their commercial disputes to mediation before starting proceedings in court. According to Mr. Sertac Sayhan of Sayhan Law Office, this means that cargo claims have to be taken firstly to a Mediator before being lodged at the Competent Court.

Canada's Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, announced new regulations that require Canadian passenger vessel operators to carry a minimum of $250,000 in liability insurance for every passenger on board. The new regulations will come into force on January 11, 2019.

The IMO fuel oil consumption data collection system became effective on 1 March 2018, requiring from ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above to submit to their Administration annual reports on fuel oil consumption. In accordance with the latest amendments to Chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI, from 1 January 2019, ships must collect fuel oil consumption data based on a methodology that must be included in the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan.