The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has reminded all ship owners and officers of Philippine-registered vessels operating in international trade to prepare for the implementation of amendments on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention that will enter into force in January 2020.
In Marina Advisory (MA) No. 2019-08, Marina officer-in-charge Narciso Vingson, Jr. said the amendments to SOLAS were approved during the 97th and 98th sessions of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC).
These amendments, which will all enter into force on January 1, 2020, include MSC.409 (97)-amendments to SOLAS; MSC.410 (97)-amendments to the Fire Safety Systems (FSS) Code on Arrangement of Means of Escape; MSC.411 (97)-amendments to the International Code for Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC); and MSC.413 (97) and MSC.414 (97)-amendments to the Introduction and Part A of the International Code on Intact Stability.
Also entering into force on January 1, 2020 is MSC.1/Circ.1564, the revised guidance for watertight doors on passenger ships which might be opened during navigation.
Vingson said all Philippine overseas shipping companies, ship managers, and other concerned maritime entities should prepare for the adoption of the amendments.
Those with questions on the amendments and MSC.1/Circ.1564 can contact the Marina administrator or the Overseas Shipping Service offices, MA 2019-08 noted.
