Tokyo MoU issued a press release announcing that it held its 27th PSC Committee meeting in Hobart, Australia, from 17 to 20 October 2016. Among issues discussed, the Committee adopted the amendments to the Memorandum for inclusion of the BWM as a relevant instrument and established an intersessional group to develop the guidelines for PSCOs on BWM in an appropriate time.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Carlos Fanta, Rear Admiral (retired), Head of Port State Control Division, Directorate of Maritime Safety, Security and Operation, Directorate General of the Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine (DIRECTEMAR) of Chile. The meeting was officially opened by Mr. Stuart Richey, Chairman, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). In his opening speech, Mr. Richey commended the successful conclusion of the Tokyo MOU and the great achievement made by the Tokyo MOU during the past two decades. Then, he stressed the more and more important role for PSC and the increased scope for PSC. Finally, he enlightened PSC in Australia and the AMSA PSC inspection programme.
Minding that the International Convention for “the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM)” will enter into force on 8 September 2017, the Committee adopted the amendments to the Memorandum for inclusion of the BWM as a relevant instrument. Moreover, for providing necessary guidance on BWM for PSC officers in the region, the Committee established an intersessional group to develop the guidelines for PSCOs on BWM in an appropriate time.
The Committee considered the application for observer status by Samoa. The Committee unanimously agreed to accept Samoa as an observer of the Tokyo MOU in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Memorandum. The Committee considered and approved the planned updates of the PSC Manual. The Committee approved the amendments to the guidelines for PSC officers on Maritime Labour Convention relating to the 2014 Amendments to the Convention. The Committee further approved the new guidelines on CLC 92
The Committee considered and approved the final report of the CIC in 2015 on Crew Familiarization for Enclosed Space Entry. The Committee received an interim report on the CIC in 2016 on Cargo Securing Arrangements, which is running underway. The Committee confirmed and approved arrangements for the CIC in 2017on Safety of Navigation, including ECDIS, which will be done jointly with the Paris MOU. The Committee considered and accepted the proposal by the Paris MOU for a joint CIC on MARPOL Annex VI in 2018. Furthermore, the Committee considered and approved amendments to the Policy on joint CICs, which are also harmonized with the Paris MOU.
The Committee noted with satisfaction of effective and successful implementation of the technical co-operation programmes and expressed its appreciation to Authorities for support and co-operation, to the Secretariat for organization and co-ordination of the technical co-operation activities and to the Nippon Foundation for kindly providing the funds.
Source & Image Credit: Tokyo MoU
