Safety
June 2021
BIMCO welcomes updated IMO Compendium to advance electronic data
Standardising and harmonising electronic ship to shore communication for reporting purposes was high on the agenda at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) virtual Facilitation Committee (FAL) meeting held from 1-7 June 2021 (FAL 45).
May 2021
IMO’s safety committee approves measures to improve safety on board ships
The Maritime Safety Committee 103 meeting (MSC 103) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was held 5 to 14 May 2021. Several important decisions were made that will affect shipowners directly. These include upcoming changes to fire safety systems on board to help prevent fires, as well as changes to the search and rescue manuals on board ships.
BIMCO supports new IMO water level alarms for cargo holds
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 103) meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was held remotely from 5 to 14 May. A very comprehensive list of issues were discussed at the meeting, one of which was new requirements for water level detectors on non-bulk cargo ships. The new requirement was up for adoption.
IMO agrees on new measures to detect and report containers lost at sea
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 103) meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was held remotely from 5 to 14 May. One of the issues discussed at the meeting - among a very comprehensive list on the agenda, was new measures to mitigate for containers lost at sea.
BIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO launch new fuel oil survey
The International Maritime Organisation’s 2020 global sulphur limit for marine fuel oil has been in force for more than a year. BIMCO, The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO are calling on Fleet Managers, Vessel Managers, Technical Superintendents, Masters and Chief Engineers to share their insight and experiences with marine fuels in a new survey aimed at identifying potential quality and quantity issues.
IMO meeting to focus on containers lost at sea
Over the course of three months late last year and early this year, almost 3,500 containers were lost in a number of incidents in the Western Pacific. This is far above the numbers usually registered for the same period and has raised concern regarding the causes of these incidents.
Ships are advised to take extra precaution when anchoring in Malaysian waters
During a 10-day operation called “Jangkar Haram”, Malaysia clamped down on illegal anchoring in its waters. The ships involved have either been warned and ordered to leave or detained and fined. BIMCO recommends Masters to take extra precaution and obtain prior permission from relevant authorities before anchoring.
April 2021
Masks to be worn on commercial ships while trading in US waters
As part of COVID-19 safety the US has introduced new safety requirements in the maritime transportation system. This requires all persons, including crew members on board ships proceeding to and trading within the waters under US jurisdiction to wear a face mark while boarding, disembarking and for the duration of the travel. Crew members and port facility personnel may be exempt from wearing a mask only when actively performing a task that would create a health or safety risk if performed wearing a mask and should immediately wear a mask when the task is complete. This exemption does not apply to passengers.
BIMCO supports global seabed mapping initiative
Knowing the depth and shape of the seafloor (bathymetry) is fundamental for our understanding of ocean circulation, tides, sediment transport and environmental change. Currently, and despite many years of effort, less than 20 per cent of the ocean seafloor has been mapped. Therefore, BIMCO supports the Seabed 2030 initiative and encourages the industry to contribute with input into the project via an online survey.
March 2021
Shipping industry calls for common, global vaccination framework for seafarers
A working group focusing on vaccinations within the shipping industry supports seafarers being vaccinated using WHO EUL approved vaccines provided by appropriate agencies in Member States.
