Author: ICS Class

A concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) to be carried out by the Paris and Tokyo Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) from September to November will focus on emergency equipment and response compliance The CIC will run from 1 September to 30 November and will be carried out by the Tokyo and Paris MoUs on port state control (PSC) with those from the… Read more →

The main type of “bunker” oil for ships is heavy fuel oil, derived as a residue from crude oil distillation. Crude oil contains sulphur which, following combustion in the engine, ends up in ship emissions. Sulphur oxides (SOx) are known to be harmful to human health, causing respiratory symptoms and lung disease. In the atmosphere, SOx can lead to acid rain,… Read more →

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved and adopted a comprehensive set of guidance and guidelines to support the consistent implementation of the lower 0.50% limit on sulphur in ships’ fuel oil, which will enter into effect from 1 January 2020. Related draft MARPOL amendments were also approved The 2020 rule will bring in considerable benefits for the environment and… Read more →

In the maritime industry, for many years now, we have become accustomed to a certification management process that is very complex and time-consuming. It is made up of countless steps, starting from the moment a certificate is issued to the moment a seafarer receives it and the party of interest verifies it. The people involved in the certification management process… Read more →

This ICS Guidance was first issued in September 2018 and was updated in January 2019 to take account of decisions at International Maritime Organization (IMO) committee meetings. This current version has been updated after the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in May 2019 and the IMO Marine Safety Committee (MSC) in June 2019. From 1 January 2020, in accordance… Read more →

Looking ahead to the main agenda items for the meeting, he singled out:  Draft Assembly resolutions for adoption at A 31 later this year, notably the Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC); the Non-exhaustive list of obligations under instruments relevant to IMO instruments implementation Code (III Code); and, Procedures for port State control; MARPOL-related matters-IMO… Read more →

MSC 101 The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), 101 session, was held June 5-14, with oil fuel safety, autonomous shipping, e-navigation and ferry safety featuring in the outcomes. Fuel Safety Following discussion on ship safety issues relating to the implementation of the 0.50 percent sulfur cap, the MSC adopted a resolution providing recommended interim measures to enhance the safety of… Read more →

file photo courtesy of Diamantino Rosa BY MAREX 2019-06-17 05:31:02 At its 52nd meeting last month, the Paris MoU Committee approved the 2018 inspection results and adopted new performance lists for flags and Recognized Organizations (ROs). These lists will take effect from 1 July 2019. The “White, Grey and Black List” presents the full spectrum, from quality flags to flags with a… Read more →

China, South Korea agree on exemptions from ballast water exchange rules In regard to the difficulties found in conducting a safe and efficient ballast water exchange in the waters between China and South Korea, the two countries have agreed on exemption of ballast water exchange requirements for international ships sailing between these two regions, BIMCO informed. The agreement applies to… Read more →

The BIMCO Bulletin met with Frederick Kenney, Director of Legal and External Affairs at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to talk about why there is no chance that the 2020 sulphur limit deadline will be pushed, what will happen if ships experience operational problems because of the new fuels, and why regulation of open-loop scrubbers should be consistent rather than regional. While… Read more →