Certifying Authority

ABS Port State Control 2024 Q4 Report

Posted on by News Hound

ABS has released its latest Quarterly Port State Control (PSC) Report which provides information about deficiencies identified on ABS vessels during inspections carried out by the various PSC regimes globally during the last quarter of 2024.

There were 465 total detained vessels in the fourth quarter per Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU and USCG. Of those detained, only 22 vessels were ABS classed vessels. For period 1 October to 31 December 2024, the top categories for Port State Control (PSC) detentions on ABS vessels in the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Tokyo MoU and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) database are as follows: Continue reading “ABS Port State Control 2024 Q4 Report”

Liberian Registry issues notice on recall of rocket parachute flares

Posted on by News Hound

The Liberia Maritime Authority has published marine advisory 04/2025 on the Voluntary replacement and recall of rocket parachute flares Kokusai Kakoh Co., Ltd / Type: KP-16.
Kokusai Kakoh Co., Ltd recalled the flare due to concerns regarding the specified altitude and burning time when fired.

The item in question:
• Product name/type: Kokusai Kakoh Co., Ltd. Rocket parachute flares Type: KP-16 ➢ Date of manufacture: From February 2021 to July 2024. The Liberian Maritime Authority recommends replacing these flares in accordance with information provided by the manufacturer, “Instructions (for outside of Japan)”. Continue reading “Liberian Registry issues notice on recall of rocket parachute flares”

Domestic Passenger Vessels: Information on risk assessment to support application for exemption from damage stability requirements

Posted on by News Hound
Domestic Passenger Vessels: Information on risk assessment to support application for exemption from damage stability requirements
Domestic Passenger Vessels: Information on risk assessment to support application for exemption from damage stability requirements

The UK Merchant Shipping (Safety Standards for Passenger Ships on Domestic Voyages) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2022, introduces requirements for older vessels to meet new damage stability requirements. The vessels affected most by these new requirements are those vessels certified as Class V and operating on Tidal Category C waters.

It was recognised from feedback during the consultation that there was a need for the Government to provide some flexibility to operators who could demonstrate that the risks to their domestic passenger vessels were owing to their particular area of operation. For example, owning to a small volume of traffic operating in the area the risk of collision was reduced. Continue reading “Domestic Passenger Vessels: Information on risk assessment to support application for exemption from damage stability requirements”

Scrap metal fires and the IMSBC Code

Posted on by News Hound
Photo credit: Gard P&I club
Photo credit: Gard P&I Club

Gard P&I Club has highlighted the issue of serious scrap metal fires and questions if the IMSBC Code is adequately addressing the risks. According to Gard, most of its cases and those reported in accident investigations appear to concern scrap metal declared by shippers as Group C, which under the IMSBC Code is cargo which is neither liable to liquefy (Group A) nor to possess chemical hazards (Group B).

Images and accounts of scrap metal fires associated with such non-hazardous declarations paint a more concerning risk picture. Accident investigation reports speak of rapidly developing fires with intense heat and heavy smoke threatening harm to the crew, shore fire fighters as well as local residents. Continue reading “Scrap metal fires and the IMSBC Code”

ABS: new offshore rules 2025

Posted on by News Hound
ABS announced major changes to its 2025 Survey After Construction of Offshore Rules that became effective 30 January this year.
ABS announced major changes to its 2025 Survey After Construction of Offshore Rules that became effective 30 January this year.

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) announced major changes to its 2025 Survey After Construction of Offshore Rules that became effective 30 January this year.
The new Offshore Rules 2025 consolidated and replaced the MOU, FPI and OI Rules and incorporated mandatory requirements from Facilities Rules.
Survey requirements for Offshore Units can be found in these parts of the OR:
• Part 7A Mobile Offshore Units – Surveys (old MOU Part 7)
• Part 7B Site Specific Units – Ship Type and Other Floating Installations – Surveys (old FPI Part 7) Continue reading “ABS: new offshore rules 2025”

Bureau Veritas guidance on IACS CIC on emergency power supply testing

Posted on by News Hound
Bureau Veritas says that IACS has decided to launch its own CIC
Bureau Veritas says that IACS has decided to launch its own CIC

IACS has decided to launch its own CIC to record results of testing of emergency power supply on individual ships, according to Bureau Veritas.
With the release of a Bulletin on the subject, the Tokyo MoU has informed ship operators, shipmasters, classification societies, maritime administrations, their officers, investigators and technical advisors of the potential risk of testing of automatic start of emergency source of electrical power and connection to the emergency switchboard (SOLAS Ch. II-1 Regulation 42 / 43) using simulated Continue reading “Bureau Veritas guidance on IACS CIC on emergency power supply testing”

Liberia Maritime Authority advice on ships using low-flashpoint fuels

Posted on by News Hound
Liberia Maritime Authority has published guidance on compliance with the requirements for ships using low-flashpoint fuel
Liberia Maritime Authority has published guidance on compliance with the requirements for ships using low-flashpoint fuel

The Liberia Maritime Authority has published guidance on compliance with the requirements for ships using low-flashpoint fuel.
Marine notice SAF-017 Rev. 1/25 applies to ships using low-flashpoint fuels:
• for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 January 2017;
• in the absence of a building contract, the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 July 2017; or
• the delivery of which is on or after 1 January 2021.
It also applies to a ship, irrespective of the date of construction, which converts to using low-flashpoint fuels on or after 1 January 2017, or to a ship using low-flashpoint fuels, which, on or after 1 January 2017, undertakes to use low-flashpoint fuels different from those which it was originally approved to use before 1 January 2017. Continue reading “Liberia Maritime Authority advice on ships using low-flashpoint fuels”

IACS 2025 Blue Book is available to download

Posted on by News Hound

The International Association of Classification Societies has issued the IACS 2025 Blue Book, further enhancing its technical support for the shipping industry through investments in technology, innovation, and research and development at both the classification and statutory levels.

The IACS 202 Blue Book is a comprehensive electronic library of technical resolutions adopted by IACS as part of its ongoing technical work. It serves as the Association’s primary reference, containing historical data and all previous revisions of IACS publications. Published and updated annually, the Blue Book demonstrates how IACS fulfils its mission to benefit international shipping. It includes: Continue reading “IACS 2025 Blue Book is available to download”

UK MCA publishes acceptable chart system update

Posted on by News Hound
The MCA acceptable chart system has been updated
The MCA acceptable chart system has been updated

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published an amendment accepting electronic chart systems for commercial fishing and small vessels up to 24 metres in length.

The update goes under MGN 319 (M+F) Amendment 2 – Acceptance of electronic chart systems for fishing vessels and small vessels in commercial use (code boats) up to 24 metres in load line length (SV-ECS).

The MCA will accept electronic chart systems complying with the Small Vessel Electronic Chart System (SV-ECS) performance standard as satisfying the chart carriage requirements stipulated within SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 for applicable vessels. Continue reading “UK MCA publishes acceptable chart system update”

MCA releases MGN 599 (M) Amendment 1(M) Pleasure vessels

Posted on by News Hound
MGN 599 (M) Amendment 1 (M) Pleasure vessels – regulations and exemptions has been released
MGN 599 (M) Amendment 1 (M) Pleasure vessels – regulations and exemptions has been released

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency has released a new MGN which provides guidance and best practice for pleasure vessels, and general exemptions for Class XI vessels.
MGN 599 (M) Amendment 1 (M) Pleasure vessels – regulations and exemptions provides guidance for pleasure vessels and has been developed in consultation with British Marine (BM), Royal Yachting Association (RYA), and Yacht Brokers, Designers and Surveyors Association (YBDSA).

It introduces the concept of Intended Pleasure Vessels, includes a new Exemption from fire extinguishing regulations on close-down, Continue reading “MCA releases MGN 599 (M) Amendment 1(M) Pleasure vessels”

Lithium Storage Solutions safety bulletin published by the MCA

Posted on by News Hound
MCA has published a safety bulletin regarding Lithium Storage Solutions.
MCA has published a safety bulletin regarding Lithium Storage Solutions.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published a safety bulletin regarding Lithium Storage Solutions.
It reads: “As the UK Market Surveillance Authority for marine equipment, [the MCA] is aware that Lithium Storage Solutions Ltd claim on their website https://www.lithiumstoragesolutions.com/ that their product, the Lithium Safety Store® is “Fully compliant with MGN 681 (M), Fire safety and storage of small electric powered craft on yachts, section 4 storage and charging” and also claims “Fully certified for sea and air transport and storage” under MGN 681. Continue reading “Lithium Storage Solutions safety bulletin published by the MCA”

MLC amendments set to enter into force in December 2024

Posted on by News Hound
MLC amendments will be enforceable on 23rd December 2024
MLC amendments will be enforceable on 23rd December 2024

The 2022 amendments to MLC 2006, adopted at the ILO 110th session in Geneva, are expected to come into force from 23rd December 2024. Here is a brief overview.

Regulation 1.4 – Recruitment and placement

Further protection for seafarers if a recruitment or placement agent fails to meet its obligations under the seafarer’s employment agreement. Seafarers should be informed of their rights, prior to or in the process of engagement.

Regulation 2.5 – Repatriation

Flag and Port states must be proactive in facilitating and assisting seafarers who require repatriation, Continue reading “MLC amendments set to enter into force in December 2024”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

Show details
Performance & Marketing Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. This also helps us optimise our marketing campaigns. User data sent to Google Analytics may be used for ad personalization and measurement of our ad campaigns. Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Show details
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance