Author: ICS Class

Credit: Shutterstock USCG: More than 25,000 deficiencies reported in 2018 The US Coast Guard launched its Domestic Vessel Annual Report, collecting data from the USCG’s Marine Information Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database regarding vessel population, inspections conducted, and deficiencies issued for the 2018 calendar year. The report presents information reflecting the entire U.S. Flag fleet, including barges, cargo vessels, passenger vessels,… Read more →

Above image is used for illustration purposes only / Credit: IMO Tokyo MoU: Ship detentions drop in 2018, ISM remains key cause A total of 934 ships registered under 63 flags were detained due to serious deficiencies onboard in the Tokyo MoU region in 2018, according to the recently-published Tokyo MoU annual report on PSC. The number of detentions, the detention… Read more →

The Marine Environment Protection Committee’s (MEPC), 74th session is scheduled to take place in 13-17 May 2019. The key subjects to be discussed will be adoption of amendments to IMO mandatory instruments, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, implementation of the sulphur 2020 limit, marine plastic litter action plan, ballast water management Convention implementation, approval of guidance and other matters,… Read more →

IMO HTW 6 Sub-Committee takes place from 29 April to 3 May 2019 Three new model courses and one revised model course have been put forward for validation to the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW 6) on 29 April-3 May. IMO model courses assist Member States and other stakeholders to develop detailed training programmes, to effectively implement the… Read more →

The purpose of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code is to provide an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention. The Code’s origins go back to the late 1980s, when there was mounting concern about poor management standards in shipping. The catastrophic capsizing of the passenger/car ferry Herald of Free Enterprise in March 1987  as well… Read more →

Preview for Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), 74th session, 13-17 May 2019 General information and media accreditation ​Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), 74thsession Chair: Mr. Hideaki Saito (Japan) When and where? 13-17 May 2019, at IMO Headquarters in London. Accreditation and media access ​Media wishing to attend plenary sessions but who do not have current and valid IMO media accreditation… Read more →

Remote inspection techniques on the rise New technologies – such as drones, climbers and robot arms – are rapidly entering the inspection era, adhering to the contextually digital transformation trends. And, in turn, major classification societies are embracing the so-called Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) for their class surveys prosecution. For those wondering the reasons why, safer and less intrusive surveys… Read more →

Credit: Shutterstock IACS launches its 2018 Annual Review The IACS published its Annual Review addressing activities it undertook the past year, including articles about key areas such as sulphur 2020, autonomous ships and cyber safety, as well as a ‘Class Report’ with data on the IACS fleet. Shipping | 23/04/19 Jeong-kie Lee, IACS Council Chair and Chairman, and CEO of… Read more →

The USCG Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing published Change 1 to Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 03-14, ‘Guidelines for Approval of Training Courses and Programs’, in response to the recommendations made after the sinking of El Faro. On 1st October 2015, the SS El Faro, a 40-year-old cargo ship owned by TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and operated by TOTE Services, Inc…. Read more →

Port State Control detentions due to ISM failures are becoming more common as the authorities are grouping deficiencies together to justify detaining the ship. The objectives of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code are to ensure safety at sea, prevention of human injury or loss of life, and avoidance of damage to the environment and property. The objectives of the… Read more →