REGULATION news
IMDG Code - January 2024 Adopted by MSC 105.
Updates to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code in line with the updates to the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, which set the recommendations for all transport modes. Contracting Governments to the SOLAS Convention are invited to apply the amendments from 1 January 2023 on a voluntary basis.
Revised FAL Convention - January 2024 Adopted by FAL 46.
Amendments to the Facilitation (FAL) Convention which will make the single window for data exchange mandatory in ports around the world, marking a significant step in the acceleration of digitalization in shipping. Other amendments adopted include lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and add new and amended Recommended Practices to prevent corruption and illicit activities in the maritime sector.
Mandatory Single Window - The amendments update the provisions of the FAL Convention on mandatory electronic data exchange in ports for ship clearance. The amendments to the annex of the Convention will make it mandatory for public authorities to establish, maintain and use single window (SW) systems for the electronic exchange of information required on arrival, stay, and departure of ships in ports.
MARPOL Annex I - watertight doors - January 2024 Adopted by MEPC 78.
Chapter 4 – Requirements for the cargo area of oil tankers.
MARPOL Amendments - Annex I, II, IV, V, & VI - May 2024 Adopted by MEPC 79.
Mediterranean Sea Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides and particulate matter - designation of Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides and Particulate Matter, under MARPOL Annex VI. In such an Emission Control Area, the limit for sulfur in fuel oil used on board ships is 0.10% mass by mass (m/m), while outside these areas, the limit is 0.50% m/m.
Mandatory garbage record books for smaller ships - amendments to MARPOL Annex V to make the Garbage Record Book mandatory also for ships of 100 gross tonnage and above and less than 400 gross tonnage. This extends the requirement for mandatory garbage record books to smaller ships, which will be required to keep records of their garbage handling operations, namely discharges to a reception facility ashore or to other ships, garbage incineration, permitted discharges of garbage into the sea, and accidental or other exceptional discharged or loss of garbage into the sea. The move supports the implementation of IMO’s Strategy and Action Plan to address marine plastic litter from ships.
Protecting seas in the Arctic - regional arrangements for port reception facilities - amendments to the MARPOL annexes to allow States with ports in the Arctic region to enter into regional arrangements for port reception facilities. The amendments relate to MARPOL Annexes I (oil), II (noxious liquid substances), IV (sewage), V (garbage) and VI (air pollution).
EEXI, CII, and rating values - amendments to appendix IX of MARPOL Annex VI on the reporting of mandatory values related to the implementation of the IMO short- term GHG reduction measure, including attained EEXI, CII, and rating values to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database (IMO DCS).
Fuel flashpoint in bunker delivery note - amendments to appendix V of MARPOL Annex VI, to include the flashpoint of fuel oil or a statement that the flashpoint has been measured at or above 70ºC as mandatory information in the bunker delivery note (BDN). 1 July 2024 MARPOL HFO in Arctic waters prohibition Adopted by MEPC 76
Entry into effect of amendments to MARPOL Annex I (addition of a new regulation 43A) to introduce a prohibition on the use and carriage for use as fuel of heavy fuel oil (HFO) by ships in Arctic waters on and after 1 July 2024. The prohibition will cover the use and carriage for use as fuel of oils having a density at 15°C higher than 900 kg/m3 or a kinematic viscosity at 50°C higher than 180 mm2
/s.
Hong Kong Convention set to impact the shipping industry from 2025
On 26 June 2023, Bangladesh and Liberia acceded to the Hong Kong Convention. This means the Convention will enter into force for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships on 26 June 2025, writes Stela Spiraj, Senior Engineer, Regulatory Affairs Department, ABS. And it could present opportunities and have profound effects for marine surveyors.
The goal of the Hong Kong Convention is to prevent significant risks to human health and the environment throughout a ship’s operating life and during ship recycling. Upon the Convention’s entry into force new and existing ships with a gross tonnage (GT) of 500 or more should have a valid International Certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) no later than five years after the Convention’s start date in 2025 or before being sent for recycling, whichever occurs first.
The Hong Kong Convention applies to ships of 500GT or more engaged in international trade and flying the flag of a party to the Convention or operating under the authority of a flag of a party to the Convention, and to ship recycling facilities operating under the jurisdiction of a party to the Convention.
Ships will be required to develop and maintain an Inventory of Hazardous Materials that consists of three parts:
Part I: Hazardous materials listed in Appendices 1 and 2 to the Convention, contained in the ship’s structure and equipment including their location and approximate quantities. The Convention prohibits or restricts new installation of hazardous materials listed in
THE REPORT | MAR 2024 | ISSUE 107 | 35
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