IMO

Year in Review: Environmental issues that caught shipping’s eye in 2018

Another exciting year is coming to an end. With only few days left until the end of 2018, SAFETY4SEA looks back on the events that defined the environmental stage of the shipping industry. 2020 sulphur cap, scrubbers, LNG, emissions; these are all topics that made the headlines throughout the year. But let’s take a closer look at those topics, which now are at the core of the shipping industry.

2020 sulphur cap

Without a doubt, the 0.5% Sulphur cap that will begin from 2020 is – and will be –...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-year-in-review-environmental-issues-that-caught-shippings-eye-in-2018/

IMO’s simulation exercises to improve port security

IMO and the Organization of American States Inter American Committee Against Terrorism (OAS-CICTE) jointly delivered pilot simulation exercises during a workshop on port and maritime security, which was held in Panama City, on December 13 and 14.

Simulation exercises have been established as training and quality assurance tools, which assist countries and port authorities to prepare for a wide range of potential threats and security situations.

A workshop regarding interactive port facilities and...

https://safety4sea.com/imos-simulation-exercises-to-improve-port-security/

REMPEC addresses ship-source air pollution in the Mediterranean

REMPEC, the IMO-administered marine pollution emergency response centre in the Mediterranean conducted a regional workshop to identify and address any barriers for Mediterranean coastal States concerning political, legal and technical obstacles that challenge ratification and subsequently the effective implementation of MARPOL Annex VI air pollution and energy efficiency regulations.

Namely, the workshop focused on the draft technical and feasibility study, provided by REMPEC, to address the...

https://safety4sea.com/rempec-addresses-ship-source-air-pollution-in-the-mediterranean/

BPA: Shipping needs stronger leadership on safety issues

Following reports of a number of instances where defective pilot ladders were identified on foreign ships visiting British ports and the regular use of dangerously weighted heaving lines by some vessels at UK ports, the British Ports Association (BPA) has called on the international shipping community to face up to these ongoing safety issues.

While UK shipping companies are usually fully compliant with safety rules set by IMO, many UK ports have found that increasing numbers of internationally...

https://safety4sea.com/bpa-shipping-needs-stronger-leadership-on-safety-issues/

MSC 100: New guidelines for goal-based ship construction standards

IMO MSC 100 completed its 100th session on 7 December. Among its busy agenda, MSC 100 analyzed goal-based standards and a new safety level approach for bulkers and oil tankers.

During previous sessions, the Goal-based ship construction standards for bulkers and oil tankers (GBS) were adopted, as well the initial verification of 12 Recognized Organizations.

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Now, MSC 100 confirmed that the information submitted regarding the maintenance of verification by those...

https://safety4sea.com/msc-100-new-guidelines-for-goal-based-ship-construction-standards/

COP 24: Mixed feelings for the future of planet

The 24th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 24) was held in Katowice, Poland, from 3 to 15 December, gathering parties from all around the world to push further work on the fight against climate change, exactly three years after the Paris Agreement. Although the initial feeling was that the negotiations would not end up in some tangible results for the future of the planet, governments eventually adopted a robust set of guidelines for implementing the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, literally on...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-cop-24-mixed-feelings-for-the-future-of-planet/

University of Birmingham gets funding for Arctic shipping emissions research

The UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), funded by the UK government, has granted scientists at the University of Birmingham a total of £1.6M to lead a project investigating shipping emissions in the Arctic and North Atlantic atmosphere.

Called SEANA (Shipping Emissions in the Arctic and North Atlantic Atmosphere), the project also includes partners from the University of Exeter, British Antarctic Survey and Cranfield University, and is expected to run for 5 years, starting from...

https://safety4sea.com/university-of-birmingham-gets-funding-for-arctic-shipping-emissions-research/

MSC 100 approves framework for regulatory scoping exercise on autonomous ships

The 100th session of IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 100) concluded on 7 December, approving the framework and methodology for the regulatory scoping exercise on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), following testing of the methodology by a correspondence group.

For each instrument related to maritime safety and security, and for each degree of autonomy, provisions will be identified which:

  • apply to MASS and prevent MASS operations; or
  • apply to MASS and do not prevent MASS operations...

https://safety4sea.com/msc-100-approves-framework-for-regulatory-scoping-exercise-on-autonomous-ships/

MSC 100 considers revisions to Polar Code

Discussing how to move forward with developing possible mandatory and recommendatory measures for ships operating in polar waters which are not currently covered by the Polar Code, IMO’s MSC 100 agreed on a roadmap which could see revisions to SOLAS and/or the Polar Code considered for adoption in 2022.

MSC 99 had already instructed the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC) to consider recommendatory safety measures for fishing vessels of 24 m in length and over, with a view to...

https://safety4sea.com/msc-100-considers-revisions-to-polar-code/

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