Safety
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.
January 2021
BIMCO push for more cross-industry collaboration
BIMCO has joined the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Well-being and Crew Change, and was encouraged to see the first publication from the Together in Safety initiative. The initiatives signal the need for increased collaboration in the face of great challenges.
RightShip and INTERCARGO announce important new quality standard for dry bulk sector to be governed by new NGO
RightShip and INTERCARGO have today announced the launch of an important new quality standard for the dry bulk sector, DryBMS. The standard will be governed by a new NGO to be established later this year and will support the improvement of safety in the dry bulk segment.
December 2020
IMO dedicates Human Rights’ Day to seafarers
In recognition of the extraordinary effort performed by seafarers during 2020, IMO is dedicating Human Rights’ Day 10 December to the distressed seafarers that keep the world’s trade afloat.
Crew changes and abandonment top busy IMO Legal Committee agenda
The Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed on a new item for its future work programme relating to fair treatment of seafarers detained on suspicion of committing maritime crimes. At the Committee’s meeting on 27 November and 1-2 December, it also agreed on the development of guidelines for flag and port state authorities regarding how to deal with seafarer abandonment cases.
Amendments to California’s Marine Invasive Species Program will come into force soon
California has amended regulation in section 2298.5 in Article 4.8 of Title 2, Division 3 of Chapter 1 of the California Code of Regulations. The regulatory changes become effective on 1 January 2021. It changes the way ships should submit information through the Marine Invasive Species Program Annual Vessel Reporting Form.
November 2020
Maritime Labour Convention 2018 Amendments enter into force next month!
The 2018 amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended ( MLC,2006) will enter into force on 26 December 2020. BIMCO advises on what these amendments are and how shipowners/ managers/ operators can achieve compliance accordingly.
US to impose tough Port State Control measures on Cyber risk management
United States requires all ships, U.S. flagged ships and foreign flagged ships that call on ports in the U.S, to ensure cyber risk management is appropriately addressed in their safety management system by the company's first annual verification of the Document of compliance after January 1, 2021. Failure to this requirement may result in detention of ship in US port.
