The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has reminded shipping lines and other stakeholders of four amendments to International Maritime Organization (IMO) Conventions effective in January 2016.
In advisory No. 2015-19, MARINA said “all Philippine overseas shipping companies, ship managers and other concerned maritime entities are requested to prepare for the implementation of these amendments/resolutions.”
The new rules include revisions in the Amendment to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code); Amendments to the Annex Protocol of 1987 Relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), 1973; Amendments to the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code); and Amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code).
Amendments in the IGC Code are embodied in Annex 6-Resolution MSC (Maritime Safety Committee) 370 (93) adopted on May 22, 2014. IMO noted that the IGC Code aims to provide an international standard for the safe carriage, by sea in bulk, of liquefied gases and certain other substances and primarily deals with ship design and equipment.
Annex 9-Resolution Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 248 (66) adopted in April 2014, on the other hand, holds the changes to the Annex Protocol of 1978 relating to MARPOL. Annex 9-MEPC 248 (66) provides revisions to MARPOL Annex 1 or the mandatory carriage requirements for stability instruments. MARPOL is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.
Annex 10-Resolution MEPC 249 (66) adopted in April 2014 provides amendments to the cargo containment and Form of Certification of Fitness under the BCH Code. Under regulation 11 of Annex II to MARPOL 73/78, chemical tankers constructed before July 1, 1986 must comply with requirements of the BCH Code–the predecessor of the IBC Code. The BCH Code remains as a recommendation under the 1974 SOLAS Convention.
Annex 11-Resolution MEPC 250 (66) adopted in April 2014 provides changes to the general, ship survival capability and location of cargo tanks, cargo tank venting and gas-freeing arrangements, environmental control, fire protection and fire extinction, special requirements, summary of minimum requirements, and Form of Certificate of Fitness under the IBC code. The IBC Code provides an international standard for the safe carriage in bulk by sea of dangerous chemicals and noxious liquid substances.
The IMO is a UN specialized agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. – Roumina Pablo
