SOLAS - 2015 Amendments to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code

In June 2014 IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee adopted amendments to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code which are due to enter into force on 1 January 2015.

The changes, as detailed in Resolution MSC.353(92) – “Amendments to the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (International Safety Management (ISM) Code)”, concern manning levels on vessels and a requirement for periodic confirmation that work practices on board and ashore are in accordance with and fulfil the requirements of the ISM Code.

The amendments to the Code are summarised as follows:

Part A – Implementation, Section 6 – Resources and Personnel

Paragraph 6.2 has been expanded to include the additional statement at 6.2.2 as follows:

“6.2      The Company should ensure that each ship is:

.1         manned with qualified, certificated and medically fit seafarers in accordance with national and international requirements; and

.2         appropriately manned in order to encompass all aspects of maintaining safe operations on board*

*Refer to the Principles of minimum safe manning, adopted by the Organisation by resolution A.1047(27)”

Part A – Implementation, Section 12 – Company Verification, Review and Evaluation

A new paragraph 12.2 has been added to the text, with the existing paragraph 12.2 and subsequent paragraphs being renumbered from 12.3 to 12.7:

“12.2    The Company should periodically verify whether all those undertaking delegated ISM related tasks are acting in conformity with the Company’s responsibilities under the Code.”

Seven footnotes have been added to the text in Part A for reference and guidance purposes, and additional text has been added to the Code’s foreword regarding use of the material referred to in the footnotes. 

Members requiring further guidance should contact the Loss Prevention department.