International Conventions and Codes. 2 IMO Conventions ► Maritime Safety ► Pollution Prevention ► Liability and Compensation ► Other subjects

International Conventions and Codes

2International Conventions and Codes

IMO Conventions

► Maritime Safety

► Pollution Prevention

► Liability and Compensation

► Other subjects


INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA

(SOLAS), 1974

SOLAS 1974 as amended

Previous versions:

1914, 1929, 1948, 1960 (First at IMO)

Maritime Safety


► The main objective of the SOLAS Convention is to specify minimum standards for the construction, equipment and operation of ships, compatible with their safety

► Flag States are responsible for ensuring that ships under their flag comply with its requirements

► Certificates are prescribed in the Convention as proof of compliance

► Control provisions also allow Contracting Governments to inspect ships of other Contracting States if there are clear grounds for believing that the ship and its equipment do not substantially comply with the requirements of the Convention - this procedure is known as Port State Control.

Maritime SafetySOLAS 74 – Technical Provisions


The Convention is divided into 12 Chapters:

► Chapter I - General Provisions

Includes regulations concerning the survey of the various types of ships and the issuing of documents signifying that the ship meets the requirements of the Convention

► Chapter II-1 - Construction - Subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations

The subdivision of ships into watertight compartments must be such that after assumed damage to the ship's hull the vessel will remain afloat and stable. Requirements for stability, watertight integrity and bilge pumping arrangements are also laid down

Requirements covering machinery and electrical installations are designed to ensure that services which are essential for the safety of the ship, passengers and crew are maintained under various emergency conditions. The steering gear requirements of this Chapter are particularly important.



► Chapter II-2 - Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction

Includes detailed fire safety provisions for all ships and specific measures for passenger ships, cargo ships and tankers.

They include the following principles: separation of accommodation spaces from the remainder of the ship by thermal and structural boundaries; restricted use of combustible materials; detection of any fire in the zone of origin; containment and extinction of any fire in the space of origin; protection of the means of escape or of access for fire-fighting purposes; ready availability of fire-extinguishing appliances.

Associated IMO Codes:

• International Code for the Application of Fire Test Procedures (FTP Code)

• International Fire Safety Systems (FSS) Code



► Chapter III - Life-saving appliances and arrangements

Includes requirements for life-saving appliances and arrangements, life boats, rescue boats and life jackets according to type of ship.

Associated IMO Code:

• International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code. It gives specific technical requirements for LSAs and is mandatory under Regulation 34, which states that all life-saving appliances and arrangements shall comply with the applicable requirements of the LSA Code

► Chapter IV – Radiocommunications

Incorporates the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). All passenger ships and all cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards on international voyages are required to carry equipment designed to improve the chances of rescue following an accident, including satellite emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) and search and rescue transponders (SARTs) for the location of the ship or survival craft.



► Chapter V – Safety of navigation

Identifies navigational equipment required for safe navigation and makes mandatory the carriage of voyage data recorders (VDRs) and automatic ship identification systems (AIS) for certain ships.

► Chapter VI – Carriage of Cargoes

The Chapter covers all types of cargo (except liquids and gases in bulk) "which, owing to their particular hazards to ships or persons on board, may require special precautions".

The regulations include requirements for stowage and securing of cargo or cargo units (such as containers).

The Chapter requires cargo ships carrying grain to comply with the IMO International Grain Code.



► Chapter VII - Carriage of dangerous goods

Part A: packaged form IMDG Code

Part A-1: solid form in bulk

Part B: liquid chemicals in bulk IBC Code

Part C: Liquefied gases in bulk IGC Code

Part D: Nuclear fuel and wastes INF Code

► Chapter VIII - Nuclear ships

Gives basic requirements for nuclear-powered ships and is particularly concerned with radiation hazards.



► Chapter IX - Management for the Safe Operation of Ships

The Chapter makes mandatory the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which requires a safety management system to be established by the ship owner or any person who has assumed responsibility for the ship (the "Company").

► Chapter X - Safety measures for high-speed craft

The Chapter makes mandatory the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (HSC Code).

► Chapter XI-1 - Special measures to enhance maritime safety

Clarifies requirements relating to authorization of recognized organizations (responsible for carrying out surveys and inspections on Administrations' behalves); enhanced surveys; ship identification number scheme; and port State control on operational requirements



► Chapter XI-2 - Special measures to enhance maritime security

The Chapter was adopted in December 2002 and entered into force on 1 July 2004. Regulation XI-2/3 of the new chapter enshrines the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code (ISPS Code).

Part A of the Code is mandatory and part B contains guidance as to how best to comply with the mandatory requirements.

► Chapter XII - Additional safety measures for bulk carriers

Includes structural requirements for bulk carriers over 150 m in length



► Amendments can be made either:

After consideration within IMO (MSC)

Amendments by a Conference

► Time frame for adoption of amendments

Circulation : 6 months

Adoption to acceptance : 12 months

Entry into force : 6 months

► Provision for accelerated amendment procedure

To be used in exceptional circumstances

Maritime SafetySOLAS 74 – Amendment Procedure


► October 1988 amendments often called “SOLAS 90” (Stability of ro-ro passenger ships)

► 1988 Protocol (Harmonized System of Survey and Certification, HSSC)

► 1988 (GMDSS) amendments (Radio-communications)

► May 1994 amendments (Conference), Chapter IX: Management for the Safe Operation of Ships

► November 1995 amendments (Conference), Safety of ro-ro passenger ships

► November 1997 amendments (Conference), Chapter XII, additional safety measures for bulk carriers

Maritime SafetySOLAS 74 – Most Significant Amendments


► December 2000 amendments:

revised Chapter V (AIS and VDR),

revised Chapter II-2, with associated FFS Code

Prohibition new installation containing Asbestos

HSC Code 2000 made mandatory

Amendments to the 1988 SOLAS Protocol


► December 2002 amendments (Conference):

Measures to enhance maritime safety, modification to chapter XI, now Chapter XI-1

New Chapter XI-2 (Special measures to enhance maritime security) and the associated new International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code).


► December 2002 amendments (by the expanded MSC):

Chapter XII (Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers), hold water level detector and availability of pumping systems

Chapter II-1, new regulation II-1/3-6 Access to spaces in cargo areas of oil tankers and bulk carriers and associated technical provisions

Chapter II-2, IMDG Code made mandatory

Chapter III, SART for liferafts on ro-ro passenger ships

► May 2004 amendments:

Chapter III, Accidents with lifeboats (Amendments to Reg. 19 (Emergency training and drills) and Reg. 20 (Operational readiness, maintenance and inspections)

Chapter III, carriage of immersion suits

Amendments to the IMDG Code



► December 2004 amendments:

A new text for Chapter XII (Additional safety measures for bulk carriers)

Chapter III, Reg.3, Carriage of Free-fall lifeboats on bulk carriers

Chapter V, Reg.20, Simplified Voyage Data Recorders (S-VDR) to be carried on board cargo ships of 3,000 GT and upwards

► December 2006 amendments :

Protective coating of dedicated seawater ballast tanks in all type of ships and double- side skin of bulk carriers.

Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats.

Passenger Ships. Measures to prevents fire on balconies.

Passenger Ships Safety. New international Standards based on the IMO pro-active initiative on Safety of passenger ships (2000-2006).



Maritime SafetySOLAS 74 – Certificates and documents

► Passenger Ship Safety Certificate

► Cargo Ship Safety Certificate

► Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate

► Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate

► Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate

► Exemption Certificate

► Document of compliance with the special requirements for ships carrying dangerous goods

► Nuclear Passenger Ship Safety Certificate

► Nuclear Cargo Ship Safety Certificate


Maritime SafetySOLAS 74 – Certificates and documents

► Document of Compliance (Company complying with the ISM Code)

► Safety Management Certificate

► International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC)

► Document of authorization for the carriage of grain

► High Speed Craft Safety Certificate

► Permit to Operate High Speed Craft

► International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk

► International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk


► It has long been recognized that limitations on the draught to which a ship may be loaded make a significant contribution to her safety.

► These limits are given in the form of freeboards, which constitute, besides external weathertight and watertight integrity, the main objective of the Convention.

► In the 1966 Load Lines convention, adopted by IMO, provisions are made determining the freeboard of ships by subdivision and damage stability calculations.

► The regulations take into account the potential hazards present in different zones and different seasons. The technical annex contains several additional safety measures concerning doors, freeing ports, hatchways and other items. The main purpose of these measures is to ensure the watertight integrity of ships' hulls below the freeboard deck.

Maritime SafetyLL 66 – Technical Provisions


► INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON LOAD LINES, 1966

► PROTOCOL OF 1988, AS AMENDED IN 2003

► The Convention includes annexes I, II and III

► Annex I, divided into four Chapters:

Chapter I - General;

Chapter II - Conditions of assignment of freeboard;

Chapter III - Freeboards;

Chapter IV - Special requirements for ships assigned timber freeboards.

► Annex II covers Zones, areas and seasonal periods

► Annex III contains certificates

Maritime SafetyLL 66 – Technical Provisions


► 1988 Protocol (Harmonized System of Survey and Certification, HSSC)

► 2003 amendments (Annex B of the 1988 Load Line Protocol):

hatchway coamings

spurling pipes and cable lockers

windows and skylights; calculation of freeing ports protection of the crew and means of safe passage for crew

calculation of freeboard

minimum bow height and reserve buoyancy

Maritime SafetyLL 66 - Amendments


Maritime SafetyLL 66 – Certificates and documents

► International Load Line Certificate (1966)

► International Load Line Exemption Certificate

► Record of Conditions of Assignment of Load Lines


► Special Trade Passenger Ships Agreement, 1971

Special Trade Passenger Ship Safety Certificate

► Convention On The International Regulations For Preventing Collisions At Sea, 1972 (COLREGS)

► International Convention For Safe Containers, 1972 (CSC)

► Convention On The International Maritime Satellite Organization, 1976 (INMARSAT)

► Torremolinos International Convention For The Safety Of Fishing Vessels, 1977

► International Convention On Standards Of Training, Certification And Watchkeeping For Seafarers, 1978 (STCW 1978)

► International Convention On Maritime Search And Rescue, 1979

Maritime SafetyOthers


► The MARPOL Convention is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.

► It is a combination of two treaties adopted in 1973 and 1978 respectively and updated by amendments through the years.

► The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) was adopted on 2 November 1973 at IMO and covered pollution by oil, chemicals, harmful substances in packaged form, sewage and garbage.

► The Convention includes regulations aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships - both accidental pollution and that from routine operations - and currently includes six technical Annexes

Maritime PollutionMARPOL 73/78


THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE PREVENTION

OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS, 1973, AS MODIFIED BY THE

PROTOCOL OF 1978 RELATING THERETO (MARPOL 73/78)

TWO TREATIES:

►MARPOL CONVENTION 1973

►PROTOCOL 1978

The Protocol has incorporated the Convention which had not yet entered into force when the Protocol was adopted.

Maritime PollutionMARPOL 73/78


Annex I: Prevention of pollution by oil

Annex II: Control of pollution by noxious liquid substances

Annex III: Prevention of pollution by harmful substances in packaged

form

Annex IV: Prevention of pollution by sewage from ships

Annex V: Prevention of pollution by garbage from ships

Annex VI: Prevention of air pollution from Ships

Maritime PollutionMARPOL 73/78 - Annexes


► 1990 (HSSC) amendments

► 1992 amendments:

amendments brought in the "double hull" requirements for tankers

Reg.13F New Oil Tankers

Reg.13G Existing Oil Tankers (Requirements for double hull phased in)

► Protocol of 1997 (Annex VI - Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships)

Limits on Nitrogen Oxide (NOx)

Limits on Sulphur Oxide (SOx)

SOx Emission Control Areas

Prohibition of ozone depleting substances

NOx Technical Code

Maritime PollutionMARPOL 73/78 - Amendments



Accelerated phasing out of single hull oil tankers

Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS)


Stricter phasing out of single hull oil tankers

Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS) made applicable to single hull oil tankers of 15 years and above

Elimination of single hull oil tankers by 2015 or at 25 years of age

New regulation 13H Carriage of heavy grade oil providing strict provision for the carriage of heavy grade oil.

► 2004 amendments

Adoption of the revised MARPOL Annex IV (Sewage)

Amendments to MARPOL Annex V (Garbage)



► 2005 Amendments:

Adoption of the revised MARPOL Annex I Regulations for the prevention of pollution by oil incorporating all the amendments since its entry into force

New requirements:

• Regulation 22 Pump-room bottom protection

• Regulation 23 Accidental oil outflow performance

Adoption of the revised MARPOL Annex II Regulations for the control of pollution by noxious liquid substances in bulk

• Includes a new four-category categorization system for noxious and liquid substances (X, Y, Z and other substances)

• Carriage of vegetable oil on chemical tankers Type 2 with condition for a possible exemption

• Consequential amendments to the IBC Code



Maritime PollutionMARPOL 73/78 – Certificates issued

► International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP)

Supplement Form A (Ships other than oil tankers)

Supplement Form B (Oil tankers)

► International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk (NLS Certificate)

► International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate

► International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate

Supplement to the International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate

► Engine International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate


INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE CONTROL OF HARMFUL ANTI-FOULING SYSTEMS ON SHIPS

► Prohibition of the use of harmful organotins (TBT) in anti-fouling paints

► Complete prohibition by 1 January 2008

► Apply to all ships (including fixed and floating platforms, floating storage units (FSUs), and Floating Production Storage and Offtake units (FPSOs).

► Certificates and Documents

International Anti-Fouling System Certificate

Record of Anti-Fouling Systems

Declaration of Anti-Fouling System

(Ships of 24 metres or more in length but less than 400 GRT)

Maritime PollutionAFS 2001


INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF SHIPS BALLAST WATER AND SEDIMENTS

► Prevention, reduction or elimination of the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through the control and management of ships' ballast water and sediments

Section A General Provisions

Section B Management and Control Requirements for Ships

Section C Additional measures

Section D Standards for Ballast Water Management

Section E Survey and Certification Requirements for Ballast Water Management

► Certificate

International Ballast Water Management Certificate

Maritime PollutionBWM 2004


► International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil

► Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972

► International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990

► Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances, 2000 (HNS Protocol)

► International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by sea

► International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971.

Maritime PollutionOthers


► International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 (The 1969 Convention is being replaced by its 1992 Protocol )

► International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971

► Convention Relating to Civil Liability in the Field of Maritime Carriage of Nuclear Material, 1971

► Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage By Sea, 1974

► Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976

► International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection With the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) by Sea

► International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001

Liability and Compensation


CONVENTION ON FACILITATION OF INTERNATIONAL MARITIME TRAFFIC, 1965

► Its primary objectives are to prevent unnecessary delays in maritime traffic, to aid co-operation between governments, and to secure the highest practicable degree of uniformity in formalities and procedures in connection with arrival, stay and departure of ships at ports.

Other Subjects


INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON TONNAGE MEASUREMENT OF SHIPS, 1969

► The tonnage measurement of ships has been one (and still is) of the most difficult problems in international shipping. IMO adopted the international convention in 1969, but due to the complexity of the matter the convention did not enter into force until 1982.

► INTERNATIONAL TONNAGE CERTIFICATE (1969)

Other Subjects


► Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, 1988

► Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf, 1988

► International Convention on Salvage, 1989

► International Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages, 1993

► International Convention on Arrest of Ships, 1999

Other Subjects