Government

RSG 2025 guidelines published

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RSG guidelines 2025The Recreational Craft Sectoral Group (RSG) has unveiled its latest edition. The RSG 2025 guidelines introduce significant updates to assist manufacturers, Notified Bodies, and market surveillance authorities in adhering to Directive 2013/53/EU on recreational and personal watercraft. This latest edition emphasizes the integration of new harmonized ISO standards, reflecting advancements in technology and safety protocols within the marine industry.

Key updates in the RSG 2025 guidelines include revised criteria for compliance, particularly concerning the installation of lithium-ion batteries and the testing protocols for dual outboard engine vessels. These changes aim to enhance safety and environmental performance, ensuring that watercraft meet contemporary standards. Continue reading “RSG 2025 guidelines published”

Maritime Labour Convention inspections MGN 600 for coded vessels updated by MCA

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Mca LogoThe Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published MGN 600 (M) Amendment 3, which updates the inspection requirements for coded vessels under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).

The updated guidance clarifies inspection procedures for vessels under 500GT, ensuring they meet the MLC’s core principles, including appropriate crew accommodation, fair working conditions, regulated rest hours, and comprehensive health and safety measures. These changes aim to align the standards for coded vessels more closely with international maritime regulations, strengthening compliance across the sector. Specifically there is an added annexe which provides an inspection report form. Continue reading “Maritime Labour Convention inspections MGN 600 for coded vessels updated by MCA”

Smart Container Alliance launched to evolve the container industry

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Container ship at portThe Smart Container Alliance has been officially launched to drive the adoption of smart container technology.

This initiative unites industry leaders to enhance cargo traceability, fortify maritime trade, and support global enforcement agencies in combating criminal networks. With geopolitical instability and climate disruptions posing risks to global trade, shipping companies must prioritize security and efficiency. The Alliance aims to advance industry standards, advocate for policy change, and foster collaboration among technology providers, shipowners, customs authorities, and international regulatory bodies like the EU and World Customs Organization (WCO).

“Smart Cargo and Container Telematics are the foundation for the 21st Century Supply Chain with revolutionary new solutions for our society, authorities, governments, and businesses to structurally reduce illicit trade, cargo contamination, cargo waste, theft, and supply chain carbon footprint while simultaneously enhancing product authentication, on-time delivery commitments, asset productivity, and cargo integrity and quality”, said Charles Vincent, CEO ARVIEM. Continue reading “Smart Container Alliance launched to evolve the container industry”

Upcoming deadline for new EU regulation on firefighting suits

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Shipowners and operators of EU vessels must take steps to ensure that all new firefighting suits on board comply with changes to European regulations which enter into force from June 2025, according to urgent advice from VIKING Life-Saving Equipment.

The life-saving equipment solutions provider recommends fleet managers undertake a full risk assessment of their firefighting suits to verify compliance with requirements applying under MED regulations (EU) 2024/1975. These are in addition to provisions in effect since August 2024 – that all new firefighting suits must be tested to EN469:2020 standards. Continue reading “Upcoming deadline for new EU regulation on firefighting suits”

BIMCO supports IGP&I’s new electronic bill of lading approval process

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The International Group of P&I Clubs has introduced a new process for the approval of electronic bill of lading systems
The International Group of P&I Clubs has introduced a new process for the approval of electronic bill of lading systems

The first question on shipowners’ lips when asked to use electronic bills of lading should be “is the eBL platform approved by my P&I Club?” To make this “discovery” process easier, the International Group of P&I Clubs has introduced a new process for the approval of electronic bill of lading systems. This new process takes into account recent legislative developments that recognise electronic bills of lading as equivalent to their paper counterparts. System providers who seek IG approval and meet the necessary requirements will now be easily identifiable on the Group’s website. This streamlined approach is designed to benefit both members and system providers, making the approval process more efficient. Continue reading “BIMCO supports IGP&I’s new electronic bill of lading approval process”

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

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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

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Trash - 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”

Liberia Maritime Authority advice on ships using low-flashpoint fuels

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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”

IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee 11 summary

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Lloyd’s Register has provided a summary report on the recent IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee
Lloyd’s Register has provided a summary report on the recent IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee

Lloyd’s Register has provided a summary report on the recent IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee (SDC).
The SDC is where many technical and operational requirements related to ship design and construction (including tonnage, load line and stability) are discussed. SDC reports to the Maritime Safety Committee.

2011 ESP Code amendments relating to Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT):
Draft amendments have now been finalised to permit the use of RIT in support to surveyors undertaking a close-up survey of vessels to which the code applies. They are expected to be applicable from 1 January 2028. Continue reading “IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee 11 summary”

UK MCA publishes acceptable chart system update

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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”

Fire damper location importance highlighted in circular

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Companies should review the placement and labelling of fuel quick-closing valves and assess the operation of fire dampers
Companies should review the placement and labelling of fuel quick-closing valves and assess the operation of fire dampers

Companies should review the placement and labelling of fuel quick-closing valves and assess the operation of fire dampers, advises the Norwegian Maritime Authority. The recommendation comes following a fire on a Norwegian vessel.

During the incident, quick-closing valves were used to shut off the diesel supply to the auxiliary and main machinery. However, the control handles for the quick-closing valves for the emergency generator were located in the same cabinet, Continue reading “Fire damper location importance highlighted in circular”

MCA publishes MGN for pre-registration surveys for fishing vessels

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MGN for pre-registration surveys for fishing vessels has been released
MGN for pre-registration surveys for fishing vessels has been released

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has released a MGN pre-registration surveys for fishing vessels.

The Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m Length Overall and the accompanying MSN 1871 Amendment 2 allow vessels of less than 15m Length Overall (LOA) built before 16 July 2007 to be considered by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for Registration as fishing vessels.

MGN 630 Amendment 4 (F) Fishing vessels: Pre-registration surveys for fishing vessels sets out the process in place to ensure the MCA Continue reading “MCA publishes MGN for pre-registration surveys for fishing vessels”

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