With the amendments to the IBC code and MARPOL Annex II set into force from 2021, a new Certificate of Fitness (CoF) for a vessel must be issued and be onboard at the latest on 1 January 2021. To remind, back in May 2019, the MEPC 74 adopted resolution MEPC.318(74), with the main goal to amend the…
Paris MoU reiterated its guidance for PSC authorities on resuming inspections related to COVID-19. The guidelines should be applied, as a general principle, on a case by case basis by the relevant port authority, not withstanding any possible national measures. Ship inspection during COVID-19 The possibility to carry out a PSC inspection needs to be…
The United Nations General Assembly has called on UN Member States to designate seafarers and other marine personnel as key workers and to implement relevant measures to allow stranded seafarers to be repatriated and others to join ships, and to ensure access to medical care. In a resolution on International cooperation to address challenges faced…
The 75th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 75) took place remotely from 16 to 20 November. Among the key points were the approval of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, with new requirements addressing GHG emissions and the approval of guidelines for onboard fuel sampling. IMO MEPC 75 highlights GHG emissions – The…
The IMO approved Tuesday draft amendments to MARPOL on short-term measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from commercial shipping. The additional regulations were approved at IMO’s 75th session of Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 75), underway virtually this week. The new measures add to already agreed energy efficiency regulations for new vessels and aim…
The 102nd session of IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 102) took place remotely on 4-11 November. The session agreed on measures to make information that may facilitate safe crew changes, a main area of concern for shipping since the start of the pandemic COVID-19 issues and crew changes Among the key takeaways during MSC 102…
Following the adoption of Resolution MSC.473 (ES.2) at the recent IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee, some member government states have already started notifying the IMO of their national contact for crew change and repatriation of seafarers.St.Kitts & Nevis have duly designated such a national focal point of contact already. The Resolution MSC.473 (ES.2) was adopted during an…
Civil and criminal penalties for MARPOL non-compliance are seeing a continuous trend worldwide, especially in the US, even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the US, these violations can lead to multimillion-dollar financial penalties on shipowners and third-party vessel managers, while crew-members can face prison if found guilty. The Standard P&I Club provided…
The UK changed its law on National Minimum Wage, with thousands of seafarers receiving fair pay. Namely, from October 1st seafarers will receive pay protection equal to every other sector. Until now, in the UK, the National Minimum Wage protection did not apply for maritime workers. This change means that more than 10,000 seafarers across the…
The UK changed its law on National Minimum Wage, with thousands of seafarers receiving fair pay. Namely, from October 1st seafarers will receive pay protection equal to every other sector. Until now, in the UK, the National Minimum Wage protection did not apply for maritime workers. This change means that more than 10,000 seafarers across the…