Tag: regulatory update

Research and innovation bring the possibility of autonomy closer to realization and subsequently unmanned transports are about to enter the shipping industry. However there are some liability issues that need to be resolved.

The ICC Incoterms® rules are an internationally recognised standard which have become an essential part of the daily language of trade.  Published by the International Chamber of Commerce, the Incoterms Rules allow buyers and sellers to transact business with the certainty that each understands all obligations concerning the tasks, costs and risks involved in the delivery of goods.

On the aftermath of the death of 2,400 sheep from heat stress on the livestock carrier 'Awassi Express', Australia will require ships carrying live cattle and sheep exports to have an independent observer to ensure welfare standards. The country will also introduce new legislation to penalise any exporter that violates these standards.

A new public web portal has been designed to support implementation of IMO’s Polar Code for ships operating in polar waters, at the second meeting of the Arctic Council's Arctic Shipping Best Practices Information Forum, on 14-15 May, in London. The portal provides links to authoritative information essential to compliance with the Polar Code.

On May 16, the IMO will start is efforts on regulation of autonomous ships with a meeting in the Maritime Safety Committee. The Danish Maritime Authority noted that the global industry needs international regulation to facilitate the use of autonomous ships, and it is looking forward to discussing the way forward within the IMO.

According to a circular issued by the The Honduras Directorate of Merchant Marine, ships calling at Puerto Cortes must present, with 24 hours in advance, an Insurance Certificate of Civil Liability against marine pollution events, and a Certificate of Coverage for Response to Incidents of marine pollution issued by a company authorized for this purpose by the maritime authority, to the local office of the General Directorate.

A French court has sued the Captain of the cruise ship 'Azura', operated by P&O Cruises, over breaching sulphur fuel limit, during the ship’s stopover in Marseilles on 29 March. If found guilty, the Master could face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to €200,000.

In late March, the UN Security Council Committee updated its 1718 Sanctions List, adding 22 entries, comprising 21 entities and one individual. UNSC Resolution 1718, adopted in October 2006, imposes a series of economic and commercial sanctions on North Korea, on the aftermath of the country's nuclear test.

Mr. Mark Hadfield, CEO, Flow Water Technologies, addressed the subject of ballast water treatment which is one of those subjects that whenever it is brought up, ship operators tend to avoid, he commented. This is due to the enormous space required for the installation of a BWMS and the many regulations concerning its application.

MSC 99 will examine how the safe, secure and environmentally sound operation of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships may be introduced in IMO instruments. Previous Committee had recognized that IMO should take a proactive and leading role on this issue, given the rapid developments.