ISM News

Update nr. 97

In this ISM News Update:

MLC Document Generator updated for 10 flags
Insurance certificates for MLC amendments 2014 o.k.?
CiC air pollution of ships
Polar Code summarized for ships that do not need a Polar Certificate

MLC Document Generator updated for 10 flags

Since January 2017 the two MLC amendments 2014, concerning financial security for seafarers’ repatriation (MLC Standard 2.5.2) and shipowners’ liability (MLC Standard 4.2), came into force. From that date, ships are required to comply with these new regulations. Before their renewal MLC audit, ships have to apply for a new DMLC part I at their Flag State, amended with points 15 and 16, to be available onboard. Further, ships shall implement the 2014 amendments in their DMLC part II to be approved by Class before their renewal MLC audit. For that purpose, we updated our MLC Document Generator including the Flag Specific information for the following Flags:

The Netherlands
Cyprus
Germany
Denmark • Norway
Luxembourg • United Kingdom
Isle of Man • Marshal Islands
Saint Vincent and Grenadines

Other Flag States did not yet publish their new DMLC part I. MLC Document Generator users with a paid account can update and download their DMLC part II any time as long as their subscription is valid. Trial account users may decide to install a paid account and experience all advantages of this online tool for the next 5 years, in which more MLC amendments are to be expected.

Insurance certificates for MLC amendments 2014 o.k.?

Since January 2018 ships under the Dutch flag shall have certificates of their insurance companies in a conspicuous place for the seafarers on board, on which all items in MLC Regulation 2.5 and 4.2 (Appendix A 2-I resp. A 4-I) are mentioned.

Contact details of the insurance companies shall include telephone numbers and email addresses. In practice, it appears that not all insurance companies have properly organized the required coverage and certificates. Therefore, in some cases, Observations and even a Non-conformity have already been given during an ISM audit. Ships are strongly advised to check again whether their insurances cover the MLC amendments 2014 completely and make sure that the above mentioned certificates are present. The required coverage may partly be covered by the P&I and partly by crew insurance.

CiC air pollution of ships

In 2018 a CiC (Concentrated Inspection Campaign) concerning air pollution from ships based on a proposal of the Danish and Netherlands authorities is announced. According to the senior-adviser of the Danish Maritime Authority herewith two goals are achieved: the worldwide focus of ships to comply with the Sulphur limits and give a signal that with united forces enforcement can be improved. A worldwide Sulphur limit of 0,5% will come into force per 2020. All 45 countries covered under the Port State will survey ships thoroughly for compliance with the rules and to increase awareness of crewmembers concerning the new regulations and the consequences of violation. Important prove are bunker notes that state bunkering of low Sulphur and fuel samples. Bunker notes shall be kept for three years, fuel samples for one year.

Polar Code summarized for ships that do not need a Polar Certificate

From 01-01-2018 all ships that sail in Arctic and Antarctic waters with a Passenger Ship Safety or Cargo Ship Safety certificate shall comply with the Polar Code and shall have a Polar Certificate from their first Renewal or intermediate survey after this date. All other ships that sail in the polar regions are advised to comply with the Polar Code as much as possible. This mainly concerns items of crew training, extra equipment, Marpol requirements, and extra risk-assessment. Rood Boven Groen made a summary of the Polar Code requirements, especially meant for ships that do not need a Polar Certificate. Part of this summary is a plan of action. The summary can be downloaded from our website. Further RBG contributed to the fact that the Rembrandt van Rijn, a 3-mast sailing lugger of Oceanwide Expeditions, has been certified under the Polar Code as one of the first ships in the Netherlands.