Joint concentrated inspection campaign on STCW

August 19, 2022 CrewExpressPOST STATE CONTROLUSCG

Member Authorities of the Tokyo and the Paris Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control will launch a joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on STCW.

This campaign will be held for three months, commencing from 1 September 2022 and ending 30 November 2022. The CIC inspections will be applicable for all ships and conducted in conjunction with the regular Port State Control inspection.

 

The campaign on STCW aims to confirm that:

  • the number of seafarers serving on board and their certificates are in conformity with the relevant provisions of STCW Convention and Code and the applicable safe manning requirements as determined by the Flag State Administration;
  • all seafarers serving on board, who are required to be certificated in accordance with STCW Convention, hold an appropriate certificate or a valid dispensation, or provide documentary proof that an application for an endorsement has been submitted to the Flag State Administration;
  • the seafarers on board hold a valid medical certificate as required by STCW Convention;
  • the watch-keeping schedules and hours of rest indicate compliance with the requirements of STCW Convention and Code;
  • The CIC will assist in raising the awareness of shipowners, operators and crew on the specific requirements in the STCW Convention and Code.

The questionnaire is annexed to the Press Release.

Source : https://www.parismou.org/sites/default/files/Press%20release%20-%20Paris%20MoU%20-%20Concentrated%20Inspection%20Campaign%20on%20STCW.pdf

LIST OF NATIONAL OPERATIONAL IMO CONTACT POINTS

August 1, 2022 IMO

LIST OF NATIONAL OPERATIONAL IMO CONTACT POINTS

  • Flag State contact points for PSC matters, Casualty investigation services and Ships’ inspection services (including Secretariats of Memoranda of Understanding on Port State Control)
  • List of national operational contact points responsible for the receipt, transmission and processing of urgent reports on incidents involving harmful substances, including oil from ships to coastal states (see annex under Related Documents) – From January 2018 onwards, the official version of the updated list will be issued electronically and uploaded here on a quarterly basis (quarterly dates: 31 January, 30 April, 31 July and 31 October)
For ship inspection purposes, the only official version of the List of national operational contact points responsible for the receipt, transmission and processing of urgent reports on incidents involving harmful substances including oil from ships to coastal States annex is the updated version, which is issued electronically on a quarterly basis. The quarterly date for this official version is specified at the top of each page of the above list.
From January 2018 onwards, the quarterly dates for the official version of the updated list will be as follows:
31 January, 30 April, 31 July and 31 October. It will be available on the IMO website and can
be downloaded as stated in paragraph 5. In this connection, the next circular under this title
(MSC-MEPC.6/Circ.17) will be issued on 31 January 2019.

CHANGES OR AMENDMENTS TO THE LIST OF NATIONAL OPERATIONAL CONTACT POINTS RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE RECEIPT, TRANSMISSION AND PROCESSING OF URGENT REPORTS ON INCIDENTS INVOLVING HARMFUL SUBSTANCES INCLUDING OIL FROM
SHIPS TO COASTAL STATES

The following updates are based on information from countries that notified IMO of additions,
changes, or amendments to MSC-MEPC.6/Circ.19:

Updates from 30 April to 29 July 2022

ALBANIA
ALGERIA
BAHAMAS
BANGLADESH
BRAZIL
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
COLOMBIA
COOK ISLANDS
CUBA
ECUADOR
HONG KONG, CHINA
KUWAIT
NIGERIA
PALAU
PANAMA
PHILIPPINES
POLAND
SOLOMON ISLANDS
SWITZERLAND
VANUATU

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SOPEP CONTACT POINT JULY 29

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Updates from 30 October 2021 to 31 January 2022
BAHRAIN
CAMEROON
ECUADOR
EGYPT
ESTONIA
GEORGIA
GUYANA
ICELAND
ISRAEL
LIBYA
LUXEMBOURG
MOROCCO
NIGERIA
PAKISTAN
QATAR
THAILAND

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SOPEP CONTACT POINTS JAN 31,2022

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Updates from 1 August to 29 October 2021
COLOMBIA
CYPRUS
ECUADOR
GHANA
GUYANA
INDONESIA
ISRAEL
LUXEMBOURG
MALAYSIA
OMAN
PAKISTAN
PALAU
PERU
PHILIPPINES
QATAR
SAUDI ARABIA
SOUTH AFRICA
UKRAINE
Note: This summary page will appear on the Internet whenever changes or amendments
are received by the Secretariat before the printed copy of the list is re-issued

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SOPEP CONTACT POINTS OCT 31 2021

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ABS to focus on Autonomous Vessel Developments

March 6, 2022 Maritime Safety News

ABS has published a new whitepaper on Autonomous Vessels to support the industry’s increasing adoption of autonomous capabilities with a focus on safe implementation, which sets out 10 goals to create a framework for the design and operation of autonomous vessels and addresses key issues in implementation.

The whitepaper also includes an update on the outcome of the IMO’s Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Regulatory Scoping Exercise, an important step on the road toward the development of requirements governing autonomous operations.

“To allow operations of fully autonomous vessels, the maritime industry requires regulations for their design. While this is an ongoing endeavor at the IMO, ABS is well placed to propose our own framework to support both safe innovation and adoption of autonomous technologies,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Engineering and Technology.

Much progress has been made in the development of maritime autonomous technology in the last three years.  However, the technological and regulatory challenges vary depending on vessel type and size. As such, ABS notes and proposes a goal-based framework constructed from the ground-up for application to fully autonomous vessels.

The intent of the requirements contained in key regulations applicable to ship-design have been examined, namely the:

  • International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS, 1974, as amended), and
  • International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

Therefore, ABS has identified the following high-level safety goals.

  1. Maintain propulsion
  2. Maintain safety of vessel
  3. Protect against flooding
  4. Maintain safety of navigation
  5. Communicate distress
  6. Meet environmental concerns
  7. Provide continuous monitoring and situational awareness
  8. Maintain command and decision system
  9. Maintain safety of cargo
  10. Maintain communication with remote operations center

”As the industry endeavors to develop regulations and requirements for autonomous vessel design and operations, this paper has proposed a goal-based framework based on the intent of the requirements contained in current conventional regulations. This leverages on the wealth of experience which formed the basis of these regulations.”

IMO calls Extraordinary Council Session in light of Ukraine crisis

March 6, 2022 IMO

IMO will hold an Extraordinary Session of its Council to address the impacts on shipping and seafarers of the situation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

The Extraordinary Session (C ES 35) will be held on 10 and 11 March in remote session, and it was convened following requests from several Council Members. In light of the Ukraine-Russia tension, the IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, issued a statement supporting the call of UN Secretary-General António Guterres for hostilities to cease immediately.

As IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said:

As the humanitarian crisis continues to unfold in Ukraine, I fully support and stand with UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for hostilities to cease immediately

List of amendments expected to enter into force this year and in the coming years

March 6, 2022 IMO

1 April 2022

Adopted by MEPC 75:

Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on sulphur content definition and sampling 

  • Amendments to Regulation 2 ‘Definitions’, to include new definitions for “Sulphur content of fuel oil” – meaning the concentration of sulphur in any fuel oil, measured in % m/m as tested in accordance with standard acceptable to the Organization; “Low-flashpoint fuel”, to mean gaseous or liquid fuel having a flashpoint lower than otherwise permitted under paragraph 2.1.1 of SOLAS regulation II-2/4; “MARPOL delivered sample”, to mean the sample of fuel oil delivered in accordance with regulation 18.8.1 of MARPOL Annex VI; “In-use sample”, to mean the sample of fuel oil in use on a ship; and “On board sample”, to mean the sample of fuel oil intended to be used or carried for use on board that ship.
  • Fuel oil sampling and testing – amendments to Regulation 14 ‘Sulphur oxides (SOX) and particulate matter’, to add new paragraphs related to in-use and onboard fuel oil sampling and testing, to add new paragraphs to require one or more sampling points to be fitted or designated for the purpose of taking representative samples of the fuel oil being used or carried for use on board the ship. The representative samples of the fuel oil being used on board are to be taken in order to verify the fuel oil complies with the regulation.
  • Appendix I amendments to the International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) certificate – Consequential amendments to update the IAPP certificate to add a reference to sampling points and also to note where there is an exemption to the provision for low-flashpoint fuel.
  • Appendix VI on the Fuel verification procedure for MARPOL Annex VI fuel oil samples consequential amendments to verification procedures, to cover verification of the representative samples of in-use fuel oil and on board fuel oil.

1 June 2022

Adopted by MEPC 75: 

Amendments to BWM Convention 

  • Amendments to the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM Convention), concerning commissioning testing of ballast water management systems and the form of the International Ballast Water Management Certificate.

1 June 2022 – IMDG Code 40-20

Adopted by MSC 102:

  • Amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) (amendment 40-20) related to segregation requirements for alcoholates; segregation in relation to liquid organic substances; classification and transport of carbon, following incidents involving the spontaneous ignition of charcoal; classification of UN portable tanks for multimodal transport; and provisions for labels.
1 November 2022 
Adopted by MEPC 76
  • Entry into force of  Revised MARPOL Annex VI  – including carbon intensity measures (requirements for ships to calculate their Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) following technical means to improve their energy efficiency and to establish their annual operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) and CII rating – read more)
  • Entry into force of amendments to MARPOL Annex I (addition of a new regulation 43A) to introduce a prohibition on the use and carriage for use as fuel of heavy fuel oil (HFO) by ships in Arctic waters on and after 1 July 2024. The prohibition will cover the use and carriage for use as fuel of oils having a density at 15°C higher than 900 kg/m3 or a kinematic viscosity at 50°C higher than 180 mm2/s. Ships engaged in securing the safety of ships, or in search and rescue operations, and ships dedicated to oil spill preparedness and response would be exempted. Ships which meet certain construction standards with regard to oil fuel tank protection would need to comply on and after 1 July 2029. A Party to MARPOL with a coastline bordering Arctic waters may temporarily waive the requirements for ships flying its flag while operating in waters subject to that Party’s sovereignty or jurisdiction, up to 1 July 2029.
  • Entry into force of amendments to  MARPOL Annexes I and IV concerning the exemption of UNSP barges from survey and certification requirements. The amendment specifies that the Administration may exempt a UNSP barge from the annual survey and certification requirements, for a period not exceeding 5 years provided that the UNSP barge has undergone a survey to confirm that certain conditions are met. The amendments also provide the form for the International Oil Pollution Exemption Certificate for Unmanned Non-self-propelled Barges.
1 January 2023
Entry into effect of carbon intensity measures including CII (read more)
  • On or before 1 January 2023, the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) shall include methodology for calculating the ship’s attained annual operational CII and the required annual operational CII.
  • Operational CII – After the end of calendar year 2023 and after the end of each following calendar year, each ship of 5,000 gross tonnage and above, shall calculate the attained annual operational CII over a 12-month period from 1 January to 31 December for the preceding calendar year.
  • The Attained annual operational CII shall be documented and verified against the required annual operational CII to determine operational carbon intensity rating A, B, C, D or E, indicating a major superior, minor superior, moderate, minor inferior, or inferior performance level, either by the Administration or by any organization duly authorized by it.
  • A ship rated D for 3 consecutive years or rated as E shall develop a plan of corrective actions to achieve the required annual operational CII.
1 January 2023 – STCW / ESP 
Adopted by MSC 103:
  • Amendments  to International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), adding the definition of “high-voltage” in STCW regulation I/1.
  • Amendments to section A-I/1 of the STCW Code, including the capacity “electro-technical officer” in the definition of “operational level”, as a consequential amendment to the introduction of this capacity as part of the 2010 Manila Amendments.
  • Amendments to the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, 2011 (ESP Code), relating to thickness measurements at the first renewal survey of double hull oil tanker.
1 January 2023
Adopted by MEPC 76:
  • Amendments to the IMO Convention for the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships (AFS Convention), to include controls on the biocide cybutryne. Ships shall not apply or re-apply anti-fouling systems containing this substance from 1 January 2023. Ships shall remove or apply a coating to AFS with this substance at the next scheduled renewal of the anti-fouling system after 1 January 2023, but no later than 60 months following the last application to the ship of an anti-fouling system containing cybutryne.

1 January 2024 – SOLAS records of equipment, FSS code, IGF code, LSA code 

Adopted by MSC 101: 

  • Amendments to the appendix to the annex to the 1974 SOLAS, concerning the addition of a footnote to Forms C, E and P in the Records of Equipment.
  • Amendments to chapter 15 of the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code), relating to inert gas systems.
  • Amendments to parts A and A-1 of the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), including those relating to regulations on loading limit for liquefied gas fuel tanks, regulations for fuel distribution outside of machinery space, regulations for internal combustion engines of piston type and fire protection for fuel storage hold space; and amendments relating to the protection of the fuel supply for liquefied gas fuel tanks, aimed at preventing explosions.
  • Amendments to chapters IV and VI of the International Life-Saving Appliance Code (LSA Code), relating to general requirements for lifeboats and launching and embarkation appliances.

Adopted by MSC 102: safe mooring  

 

  • Amendments to chapter II-1 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), related to towing and mooring. The amendments to SOLAS regulation II-1/3-8 (Towing and mooring equipment), require appropriate and safe-to-use designs of mooring arrangements, and introduce a maintenance and inspection regime, as well as proper documentation. Related  guidelines were also adopted, covering the design of mooring arrangements and the selection of appropriate mooring equipment and fittings for safe mooring; and inspection and maintenance of mooring equipment including lines; as well as revised guidance on shipboard towing and mooring equipment.
  • Amendments to parts B-1, B-2 and B-4 of SOLAS chapter II-1 related to watertight integrity requirements. The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2024.
  • Amendments to the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code),  related to the fuel containment systems, fire safety, welding of metallic materials and non-destructive testing.
  • Amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code), related to welding procedure tests for cargo tanks and process pressure vessels.

 

 

Adopted by MSC 103:

  • New SOLAS regulation II-1/25-1, requiring water level detectors on multiple hold cargo ships other than bulk carriers and tankers.
  • Amendments to SOLAS regulation III/33 and the LSA Code, aiming to remove the applicability of the requirements to launch free-fall lifeboats to test their strength with the ship making headway at speeds up to 5 knots in calm water on cargo ships of 20,000 GT and above.
  • Chapter 9 of the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code), relating to fault isolation requirements for individually identifiable fire detector systems installed, in lieu of section identifiable fire detector systems on cargo ships and passenger ship cabin balconies; and clarifying the acceptability of less complex and costly section identifiable fault isolation for individually identifiable fire detector system on cabin balconies; and clarifying the acceptability of less complex and costly section identifiable fault isolation for individually identifiable fire detector systems.

 

 

 

Adopted by MSC 104:

  • A minor amendment to chapter II (Conditions of assignment of freeboard), as well as amendments to chapter III (Freeboards) of annex I (Regulations for determining load lines) of Annex B to the 1988 Load Lines Protocol, concerning watertight doors on cargo ships, and associated amendments concerning watertight doors on cargo ships to chapter 2 (Ship survival capability and location of cargo tanks) of the International Code of the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code).

 

1 July 2024
Adopted by MEPC 76
  • Entry into effect of amendments to MARPOL Annex I (addition of a new regulation 43A) to introduce a prohibition on the use and carriage for use as fuel of heavy fuel oil (HFO) by ships in Arctic waters on and after 1 July 2024. The prohibition will cover the use and carriage for use as fuel of oils having a density at 15°C higher than 900 kg/m3 or a kinematic viscosity at 50°C higher than 180 mm2/s. Ships engaged in securing the safety of ships, or in search and rescue operations, and ships dedicated to oil spill preparedness and response would be exempted. Ships which meet certain construction standards with regard to oil fuel tank protection would need to comply on and after 1 July 2029. A Party to MARPOL with a coastline bordering Arctic waters may temporarily waive the requirements for ships flying its flag while operating in waters subject to that Party’s sovereignty or jurisdiction, up to 1 July 2029.

Force Technology unveils cloud-based navigation training

October 19, 2021 CYBER SECURITYMARITIME CYBER SECURITY

Danish bridge simulator specialist Force Technology has launched SimFlex Cloud, a dedicated software-as-a-service (Saas) solution offering highly realistic navigation training.

SimFlex Cloud provides global onshore and onboard access to Force Technology’s SimFlex simulator and simulator engine and model library. SimFlex offers user-friendly access to next generation mixed reality simulation, using both Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) headsets to maximise realism and immersion.

Force Technology customers can configure training with SimFlex Cloud however best suits their organisational structure and training needs. The system optimises maritime cloud simulator training with qualified instructors from Force Technology or the customer’s own network in control of all learning aspects, communication, exercise creation and delivery, debriefing and evaluation for live participants located anywhere in the world.

SimFlex Cloud can also be used as a self-study tool, giving junior officers, experienced captains and senior officers the ability to practice their skills whenever and wherever they can, using a laptop or desktop PC and monitor set up, as well the optional VR or AR headsets for even greater realism.

For ship managers and shipping companies, SimFlex Cloud provides a means to reduce and optimise training budgets while increasing the quality of the technical training available to staff. Flexible and scalable licencing options ensure that customers only pay for exactly what they use, while providing the ability to reduce or increase investment based on current requirements. Further, the connected nature of SimFlex Cloud ensures that users will always have the most recent content and training methods available.

source : https://thedigitalship.com/news/electronics-navigation/item/7557-force-technology-unveils-cloud-based-navigation-training

Media information – MSC 104 preview

October 19, 2021 IMOMaritime Safety News

Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 104), 4-8 October 2021

MSC 104 will be held remotely, from 4-8 October 2021

Time: 11.00 am to 14:00 pm London Time each day.

Highlights:  

COVID-19

The MSC will consider a draft Assembly resolution consolidating issues related to crew change, access to medical care, ʺkey workerʺ designation and seafarers’ vaccination to further highlight the relevance of these problems, with a view to adoption at the 32nd session of the IMO Assembly (6-15 December).

The draft Assembly resolution on comprehensive action to address seafarers’ challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found in document MSC 104/17/1.

Piracy and armed robbery against ships and other illicit maritime activity

The MSC will consider a draft update of IMO Assembly resolution A.1069(28) on Prevention and suppression of piracy and armed robbery against ships and illicit activity in the Gulf of Guinea. The resolution is expected to be finalized and approved for adoption by the the 32nd session of the IMO Assembly.

The draft revised resolution can be found in document MSC 104/8/1.

The Committee will also be updated on IMO initiatives in the Gulf of Guinea.

Domestic ferry safety

The Committee will consider matters pertaining to domestic ferry safety. A related working group is expected to be established, with a view to finalizing recommendatory Model Regulations on Domestic Ferry Safety, for adoption at MSC 105 in April 2022.

Goal-based ship construction standards (GBS)

The Committee is expected to consider the report of the combined GBS audit on the rectification of non-conformities of IACS and DNV-GL ship construction rules.

The International Goal-based Ship Construction Standards for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (“the Standards”) describe the goals and establish the functional requirements that the rules for the design and construction of bulk carriers and oil tankers of an organization recognized by the Administration, or the national rules of an Administration, shall  conform to, as defined in SOLAS regulations II-1/2.27 and II-1/3-10. Additionally, the Standards establish that the abovementioned rules shall be verified as conforming to the goals and functional requirements.

The verification is achieved by conducting regular GBS audits of the ship construction rules of organization recognized by the Administration who had already been verified to conform to the Standards. Those ROs or Administration seeking to have their ship construction rules verified to be GBS-conform for the first time will have to undergo an initial GBS audit, in accordance with the Revised guidelines for verification of conformity with goal-based ship construction standards for bulk carriers and oil tankers (resolution MSC.454(100))

The next scheduled GBS audits will be conducted in early 2022 when the first three-year maintenance audit cycle begins.

Amendments to mandatory instruments

The MSC is expected to consider for adoption:

  • draft amendments to chapters II (Conditions of assignment of freeboard) and III (Freeboards) of annex I (Regulations for determining load lines) of annex B to the 1988 Load Lines Protocol, concerning amendments to the acceptable arrangements of scuppers and discharges, as well as satisfactory condition of equilibrium after flooding, respectively; and
  • draft amendments to chapter 2 (Ship survival capability and location of cargo tanks) of the International Gas Carrier Code (IGC Code), concerning watertight doors on cargo ships, with the entry into force date of 1 January 2024.

Modernization of the GMDSS – approval of amendments to SOLAS and related instruments  

Following a comprehensive review of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) by the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR), the MSC is expected to approve, for adoption at the next session, a set of draft amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention, including amendments and revisions to existing related instruments.

The aim is to enable the use of modern communication systems in the GMDSS whilst removing requirements to carry obsolete systems concerning the modernization of the GMDSS.

The revision of the relevant regulations in SOLAS chapters II-1, III, IV and V and preparation of related and consequential amendments to other existing instruments is the result of a decade of detail-oriented work by IMO, in particular by the NCSR Sub-Committee.

Safety of navigation and safety of life at sea depend on the integrated satellite and terrestrial radiocommunication systems to support ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship distress, urgency and safety communications at sea, which is known as the GMDSS in general. Mandatory requirements for the GMDSS are laid down in the SOLAS Convention.

The MSC is expected to approve, for adoption at MSC 105, draft amendments to:  

  • SOLAS chapters II-1, III, IV and V, and the appendix (Certificates)
  • the 1988 SOLAS Protocol;
  • the 1994 and 2000 HSC Codes;
  • the 1983 and 2008 SPS Codes; and
  • the 1979, 1989 and 2009 MODU Codes.

In addition, the MSC is expected to approve, in principle, a further 11 draft MSC resolutions and two draft MSC circulars, with a view to final approval/adoption at MSC 105, as follows:

  1. draft MSC resolution on “System performance standard for the promulgation and coordination of maritime safety information using high-frequency narrow-band direct-printing”, revising and superseding resolution A.699(17);
  2. draft MSC resolution on “Performance standards for the reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information by MF (NAVTEX) and HF”, revising and consolidating resolutions A.700(17) and MSC.148(77), as amended;
  3. draft MSC resolution on “Provision of radio services for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)”, revising and superseding resolution A.801(19), as amended;
  4. draft MSC resolution on “Performance standards for search and rescue radar transponders”, revising and superseding resolutions A.530(13) and A.802(19), as amended;
  5. draft MSC resolution on “Performance standards for shipborne VHF radio installations capable of voice communication and digital selective calling”, revising resolution A.803(19), as amended;
  6. draft MSC resolution on “Performance standards for shipborne MF and MF/HF radio installations capable of voice communication, digital selective calling and reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information”, revising and consolidating resolutions A.804(19), as amended, and A.806(19), as amended;
  7. draft MSC resolution on “Performance standards for Inmarsat-C ship earth stations capable of transmitting and receiving direct-printing communications”, revising resolution A.807(19), as amended;
  8. draft MSC resolution on “Guidelines for the avoidance of false distress alerts”, revising and superseding resolution A.814(19);
  9. draft MSC resolution on “Performance standards for survival craft portable two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus”, revising resolution MSC.149(77);
  10. draft MSC resolution on “Amendments to the performance standards for radiocommunication equipment (resolution MSC.80(70))”;
  11. draft MSC resolution on “Performance standards for a shipborne integrated communication system (ICS) when used in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)”, revising resolution A.811(19);
  12. draft MSC circular on “Participation of non-SOLAS ships in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)”, to be disseminated as MSC.1/Circ.803/Rev.1; and
  13. draft MSC circular on “Guidance for the reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information as required in the Global Maritime Distress.

Other matters

The Committee is expected to:

  • Adopt the draft MSC resolutions on “Amendments to the Performance standards for shipborne simplified voyage data recorders (S-VDRs) (resolution MSC.163(78), as amended)” and “Amendments to the Performance standards for shipborne voyage data recorders (VDRs) (resolution MSC.333(90))”;
  • Approve the draft revised text of the Interim Iridium SafetyCast service manual, for dissemination as MSC.1/Circ.1613/Rev.1;
  • Approve the draft MSC circular on “Guidance on the validity of VHF radiocommunication equipment installed and used on ships”, to be disseminated as MSC.1/Circ.1460/Rev.3; and
  • Approve the draft MSC circulars on “Guidelines for shore-based maintenance of emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs)”, to be disseminated as MSC.1/Circ.1039/Rev.1, and “Guidelines on annual testing of emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs)”, to be disseminated as MSC.1/Circ.1040/Rev.2.

source https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/IMOMediaAccreditation/Pages/MSC-104-preview.aspx

India to manufacture containers in Bhavnagar, eyes Rs 1,000 cr investment: Mansukh Mandaviya

June 1, 2021 Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM)

Eyeing indigenous production of containers amid a global surge in demand, the Centre is looking to develop Bhavnagar in Gujarat as a container hub and has set up pilot projects for its manufacturing, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

The initiative aimed at attaining self-reliance in container production eyes Rs 1,000 crore investment from private players and looks to create one lakh jobs.

 

Source: economictimes

Maritime Risk Focus: Asbestos at sea-An unexpected problem

June 1, 2021 Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM)

The time is up for the owners of any ships calling at EU ports or anchorages to arrange surveys, required by the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, to identify if hazardous materials including asbestos, are present on board. Will such surveys lead to an unwelcome and unexpected surprise with asbestos estimated to be present on a significant number of ships? Can owners be confident of relying on certification that the vessel is “asbestos free” when built? The answer for some owners may unfortunately be no.

Over the years, the IMO have increased their restrictions on the permissible levels of asbestos contained on new build vessels using the framework of SOLAS. Since 1 January 2011, the presence of any asbestos at all in new build vessels has been prohibited.

This is because of the risks of asbestos to human health which have been well recognised for some time. Asbestos is an effective insulation material (as well as being fire resistant) and was traditionally used for that purpose on ships. However, it poses a risk when released into the atmosphere. The on-board environment of a ship’s pitching and rolling, as well as the vibrations of the engine, can encourage the release of dangerous asbestos fibres which can then be inhaled by crew and visitors on board. In-service repairs and modifications can also give rise to the same risk. Therefore, although much recent regulation has focussed on the risks arising at the time of ship recycling, asbestos on board can also pose a risk to health during the operation of the vessel. It can also expose shipowners to potential personal injury claims by visitors and crew members as well as imposing additional costs and operational constraints.

The detection of hazardous materials on board commercial ships is addressed in the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (the Convention). The Convention, adopted in 2009 but not yet in force, will require all new commercial vessels over 500GT to carry an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) listing all hazardous materials on board the vessel, their amounts and their locations.

Although some states, notably Australia and the Netherlands, require an independent approved surveyor to confirm the absence of asbestos before a ship can be entered with their flag, the majority have no such requirement. Therefore, as the Convention is not yet in force, there is limited practical regulation of the problem. An owner may have a ship that contains large quantities of asbestos but have no idea about this.

 

Source: maritimecyprus

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