The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is leading calls for governments to put seafarers and frontline maritime shore workers at the head of the vaccine queue and to designate seafarers as key workers, to prevent a repeat of the 2020 ‘crew change crisis’. The renewed call comes as mutations of the COVID-19 virus continues to…
PSCO’s checklists have a dedicated LSA section with specific items to be checked. Some PSC authorities issue specific information and PSC findings on LSA equipment (eg AMSA). This a practice to declare the importance of such items and systems. After all, LSA is the type of equipment which aims to provide seafarers protection in case…
Following the exit of the UK from Europe, the British Government is now working to ensure that the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein will continue to accept UK certificates of competency. According to the UK MCA, seafarers that are working on UK-flagged vessels and hold a certificate of competency (COC), do not need to take any…
With Resolution MSC.402(96), IMO issued amendments for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats /rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear, which came into force in January 2020. The provisions aim to prevent accidents with survival craft and to address longstanding issues such as the need for uniform, safe and documented standards…
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…