This Article is republished under the kind permission of BIMCO (www.bimco.org)

BIMCO is an independent international shipping association, with a membership composed of ship owners, managers, brokers, agents and many other stakeholders with vested interests in the shipping industry.

One of its activities is to inform its Members on current Issues as per the Article below and for additional information regarding the activities of BIMCO please visit www.bimco.org.

ISM Code Amendments – 1 July 2010

Members are kindly reminded about the changes to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code that enters into force 1 July 2010 by IMO Resolution MSC.273(85) and members are also urged to ensure that these amendments are reflected in the Company and Ship Safety Management Systems. Summary of the above mentioned changes to the ISM Code:

Paragraph 1.1.10 – The definition of a major non-conformity makes it clear that this can be either a lack of effective and systematic implementation of a requirement of this Code or an identifiable deviation that poses a serious threat to the safety of personnel or the ship or a serious risk to the environment that requires immediate corrective action.

Paragraph 1.2.2. – The objectives explicitly require assessment of all identified risks to the Company’s ships, personnel and the environment; the requirement to establish appropriate safeguards remains.

Paragraph 5.1.5. – The Master’s responsibility to review the Safety Management System (SMS) and report its deficiencies to the shore based management have to be periodic.

Paragraph 7 – The requirement to establish procedures for key shipboard operations is rephrased to concern the safety of the ship and protection of the environment and now also includes the safety of personnel.

Paragraph 9.2 – The requirement for implementation of corrective action includes measures intended to prevent recurrence.

Paragraph 12.1 – Internal safety audits are required to be carried out on board and ashore at intervals not exceeding twelve months; can in exceptional circumstances be exceeded by three months.

Paragraph 12.2 – The Company evaluation of the safety management system is required to address the effectiveness of the system.

Paragraph 13 – New paragraphs introduced to bring International Safety Management Certificates into line with the provisions in SOLAS relating to the extension of statutory certificates.

Paragraph 14.4.3 – Clearly states it is an internal audit which must be held within three months of the interim audit.

Paragraphs 8.1 and 10.3 – only editorial changes.