Action dates

IMO's conventions are regularly amended and revised while new instruments/protocols are adopted. The forthcoming dates of entry into force of amendments/instruments already adopted are shown. Date of entry Convention or Code into force 1 July 2006 1 July 2006 1 July 2006 1 November 2006 May 2004 amendments to SAR - persons in distress June 2003 amendments to SOLASHYPERLINK \l "may2004"/May 2004 amendments to SOLAS December 2004 amendments to SOLAS - revised bulk carrier chapter, free-fall lifeboats, S-VDRs July 2005 amendments to FAL

21 November July 2005 amendments to MARPOL - Annex VI 2006 1 January 2007 1 January 2007 October 2004 amendments to MARPOL - revised Annexes I and II Amendments to IBC and IGC Codes May 2005 amendments to SOLAS

1 August 2007 March 2006 amendments to MARPOL - oil fuel tank protection 1 January 2008 1 January 2008 1 January 2009 1 July 2010 May 2006 amendments to SOLAS HYPERLINK \l "lrit"- LRIT May 2006 amendments to STCW - ship security officers, fast rescue boats May 2005 amendments to SOLAS - revised chapter II-1 May 2006 amendments to SOLAS

Expanded Information Date of entry into force Convention or Code

1 August 2005

April 2004 amendments to MARPOL Revised Annex IV Regulations for the prevention of pollution by sewage

Annex IV contains a set of regulations regarding the discharge of sewage into the sea, sh sewage discharge, the provision of facilities at ports and terminals for the reception of se certification. It also includes a model International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificat administrations to ships under their jurisdiction.

The revised Annex will apply to new ships engaged in international voyages, of 400 gross carry more than 15 persons. Existing ships will be required to comply with the provisions date of its entry into force. The Annex requires ships to be equipped with either a sewage and disinfecting system or a sewage holding tank.

The discharge of sewage into the sea will be prohibited, except when the ship has in oper and is discharging comminuted and disinfected sewage using an approved system at a di the nearest land; or is discharging sewage which is not comminuted or disinfected at a di the nearest land.

Also, amendments to the Appendix to MARPOL Annex V on Prevention of pollution by g recording of the disposal of cargo residues in the Garbage Record Book. 1 July 2006 June 2003 amendments to SOLAS Chapter V - Safety of Navigation

Amendments to SOLAS regulations V/2 Definitions and V/22 Navigation Bridge Visibility a and a consequential editorial change is made to regulation V/22. The definition states tha

Amendments to SOLAS regulation V/28 on Records of navigational activities add a new p will require all ships of 500 gross tonnage and above, engaged on international voyages e to their company, to include ship's position; ship's course and speed; and details of any e affecting the ship's voyage or the normal safe operation of the ship. The aim of the amen ship operators to provide information of benefit to those responsible for mounting rescue 1 July 2006 May 2004 amendments to SAR - persons in distress The amendments to the Annex to the SAR Convention include:

addition of a new paragraph in chapter 2 (Organization and co-ordination) relatin new paragraphs in chapter 3 (Co-operation between States) relating to assistanc at sea to a place of safety; and

1 July 2006

a new paragraph in chapter 4 (Operating procedures) relating to rescue co- ordin identifying the most appropriate places for disembarking persons found in distres

May 2004 amendments to SOLAS

Persons in distress at sea Amendments to chapter V (Safety of Navigation) - to add a definition of search and rescu assistance, regardless of nationality or status of persons in distress, and mandate co-ord assist the ship's master in delivering persons rescued at sea to a place of safety; and to a

Accidents with lifeboats Amendments to SOLAS chapter III (Life-saving appliances and arrangements) which are lifeboats during drills. The amendments, which are expected to enter into force on 1 July on Ship Design and Equipment (DE) intended to address the unacceptably high number o occurring over recent years. Crew have been injured, sometimes fatally, while participatin

The amendments to Regulation 19 (Emergency training and drills) and Regulation 20 (Op

inspections) concern the conditions in which lifeboat emergency training and drills should operational tests to be conducted during the weekly and monthly inspections, so as not t all cases.

Carriage of immersion suits Amendments to SOLAS chapter III Regulation 32 - Personal life-saving appliances to mak to be carried on all cargo ships. The amendments introduce carriage requirements for on ships, including bulk carriers. At present, the regulation requires carriage of at least three ship, as well as thermal protective aids for persons not provided with immersion suits.

With the adoption of the amendments, immersion suits will become, as lifejackets, a pers board thus offering better thermal protection and improved chance of survival and rescue amendments to the 1988 SOLAS Protocol relating to the records of equipment. 1 July 2006December 2004 amendments to SOLAS Bulk carrier safety A new text for SOLAS chapter XII (Additional safety measures for bulk carriers) incorporates revisions to some regulations and new requirements relating to double-side skin bulk carriers. The amendments include the addition of a new regulation 14 on restrictions from sailing with any hold empty and requirements for doubleside skin construction as an optional alternative to single-side skin construction. The option of double-side skin construction will apply to new bulk carriers of 150m in length and over, carrying solid bulk cargoes having a density of 1,000 kg/m3 and above. Free-fall lifeboats on bulk carriers an amendment to regulation 31 in SOLAS chapter III (Life-saving appliances and arrangements) makes mandatory the carriage of free-fall lifeboats on bulk carriers. .

The S-VDR is not required to store the same level of detailed data as a standard VDR, bu secure and retrievable form, of information concerning the position, movement, physical the period leading up to and following an incident. Other amendments:

- SOLAS chapter II-1 regulation 18 Construction and initial tests of watertight doors, side ships to allow testing of watertight doors with a prototype pressure test in certain circum against shock, fire and other hazards of electrical origin to replace the existing paragraph order to control the installation of electrical equipment in spaces where flammable mixtur locations on tankers.

- SOLAS chapter V regulation 19 Carriage requirements for shipborne navigational system clearly readable by the helmsman at the main steering position" in paragraph 2.5 relating means to determine and display heading by shipborne non-magnetic means.

- SOLAS chapter VII regulation 10 to delete the superfluous words "For the purpose of th shall be treated as mandatory." - SOLAS chapter V - addition of Simplified Voyage Data Recorder (S-VDR) to the Record Equipment Certificate (Form E).

- International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures (FTP Code) in Part 2 - Smoke for floor coverings)" in the table of limits in 2.6 Classification criteria, 2.6.2 Toxicity.

- International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, 2000 (2000 HSC Code) relating to bu stability and subdivision.

- International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gase amendments to SOLAS chapter II-1 Regulation 45 - Precautions against shock, fire and o force date of 1 January 2007). - STCW Code - amendments to Table A-VI/2-1 - Specifications of minimum standards of boats other than fast rescue boats.

Simplified Voyage Data Recorders Amendments to regulation 20 of SOLAS chapter V (Safety of Navigation) give a phased-in carriage requirement for a shipborne simplified voyage data recorder (SVDR). The regulation requires a VDR, which may be an SVDR, to be fitted on existing cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards, phasing in the requirement for cargo ships of 20,000 gross tonnage and upwards first, to be followed by cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards 1 November 2006 July 2005 amendments to FAL

The amendments are intended to modernize the Convention on Facilitation of Internation the facilitation of international maritime traffic. The amendments include the following:

a Recommended Practice for public authorities to develop the necessary procedur departure information to facilitate the processing of information, and thus expedi persons;

a Recommended Practice that all information should be submitted to a single poin encouragement of electronic transmission of information; and

the addition of references to the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISP Standards and Recommended Practices which mention security measures; and amendments to the IMO Standardized FAL Forms (1 to 7).

Persons rescued at sea

As amendments to the SOLAS and SAR Conventions adopted in May 2004 (expected to e persons rescued at sea will place for the first time, obligations on Contracting Governmen progressing the matter so that assisted survivors are disembarked from the assisting ship reasonable time; a further amendment relates topersons rescued at sea, to be included in departure of the ship, in section H Special measures of facilitation for ships calling at port members, passengers, persons rescued at sea or other persons for emergency medical tr authorities to facilitate the arrival and departure of ships engaged in the rescue of person of safety for such persons.

21 November 2006

July 2005 amendments to MARPOL - Annex VI

The amendments to the Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships in Anne Sea SOx Emission Control Area (SECA). The NOx Technical Code is also updated. 1 January 2007 October 2004 amendments to MARPOL - revised Annexes I and II

Revised MARPOL Annex I (oil) The revised MARPOL Annex I Regulations for the prevention of pollution by oil incorporate MARPOL entered into force in 1983, including the amended regulation 13G (regulation 20 (regulation 21 in the revised annex) on the phasing-in of double hull requirements for oil chapters, the construction and equipment provisions from the operational requirements a requirements for new ships and those for existing ships. The revision provides a more us New requirements in the revised Annex I include the following:

Regulation 22 Pump-room bottom protection: on oil tankers of 5,000 tonnes dead January 2007, the pump-room shall be provided with a double bottom.

Regulation 23 Accidental oil outflow performance - applicable to oil tankers delive revised Annex I plus 36 months] 1 January 2010; construction requirements to p pollution in the event of stranding or collision.

Oman Sea - new special area under MARPOL Annex I The Oman Sea area of the Arabian Seas is designated a special area in the revised Annex

The other special areas in Annex I are: Mediterranean Sea area; Baltic Sea area; Black S Aden area; Antarctic area; and North West European Waters. In the special areas, there wastes.

Revised MARPOL Annex II (noxious liquid substances carried in bulk) The revised Annex II Regulations for the control of pollution by noxious liquid substances categorization system for noxious and liquid substances. The revised annex is expected t The new categories are:

Category X: Noxious Liquid Substances which, if discharged into the sea from ta deemed to present a major hazard to either marine resources or human health a discharge into the marine environment;

Category Y: Noxious Liquid Substances which, if discharged into the sea from ta deemed to present a hazard to either marine resources or human health or cause the sea and therefore justify a limitation on the quality and quantity of the discha

Category Z: Noxious Liquid Substances which, if discharged into the sea from ta deemed to present a minor hazard to either marine resources or human health an on the quality and quantity of the discharge into the marine environment; and

Other Substances: substances which have been evaluated and found to fall out considered to present no harm to marine resources, human health, amenities or discharged into the sea from tank cleaning of deballasting operations. The discha or mixtures containing these substances are not subject to any requirements of M

The revised annex includes a number of other significant changes. Improvements in ship techniques, has made possible significantly lower permitted discharge levels of certain pr Annex II. For ships constructed on or after 1 January 2007 the maximum permitted resid

after discharge will be set at a maximum of 75 litres for products in categories X, Y and Z maximum of 100 or 300 litres, depending on the product category.

Alongside the revision of Annex II, the marine pollution hazards of thousands of chemical Hazardous Substances Working Group, giving a resultant GESAMP2 Hazard Profile which accumulation; bio-degradation; acute toxicity; chronic toxicity; long-term health effects; habitats.

As a result of the hazard evaluation process and the new categorization system, vegetabl being unrestricted will now be required to be carried in chemical tankers. The revised Ann provision for the Administration to exempt ships certified to carry individually identified v relating to the location of the cargo tanks carrying the identified vegetable oil.

Transport of vegetable oils An MEPC resolution on Guidelines for the transport of vegetable oils in deep tanks or in in carriage of such vegetable oils on board dry cargo ships allows general dry cargo ships th in bulk to continue to carry these vegetable oils on specific trades. The guidelines also tak

Consequential amendments to the IBC Code Consequential amendments to the International Bulk Chemical Code (IBC Code) were als changes to MARPOL Annex II. The amendments incorporate revisions to the categorizatio properties as potential marine pollutants as well as revisions to ship type and carriage re Evaluation of Hazardous Substances Working Group.

Ships constructed after 1986 carrying substances identified in chapter 17 of the IBC Code construction, equipment and operation of ships contained in the Code. 1 January 2007 December 2004 - adoption of amendments to Codes by the MSC

International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chem adopted. (See above)

International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases the amendments to SOLAS chapter II-1 Regulation 45 - Precautions against shock, fire a May 2005 -amendments to SOLAS

New SOLAS regulation II-1/3-7 to require ship construction drawings to be maint

New SOLAS regulation II-1/3-8 concerning towing and mooring equipment. The r with arrangements, equipment and fittings of sufficient safe working load to enab operations associated with the normal operation of the ship.

New SOLAS regulation II-1/23-3 concerning water level detectors in the cargo ho than bulk carriers.

Amendment to SOLAS regulation II-1/31 Machinery control to restrict the applica to new ships only.

Also, amendments to the Guidelines on the enhanced programme of inspections during s (resolution A.744(18)), as amended The amendments to the Guidelines on the enhanced programme of inspections during su (resolution A.744(18)), as amended, incorporate some elements of the Condition Assessm hull tankers under the revised MARPOL regulation I/13G and include re-organization of th survey guidelines for the inspection of double hull tankers.

1 August 2007

March 2006 amendments to MARPOL

MARPOL regulation on oil fuel tank protection The amendment to the revised MARPOL Annex I (which was adopted in October 2004 wit includes a new regulation 12A on oil fuel tank protection. The regulation is intended to ap 2010 with an aggregate oil fuel capacity of 600m3 and above. It includes requirements fo performance standards for accidental oil fuel outflow. A maximum capacity limit of 2,500 regulation, which also requires Administrations to consider general safety aspects, includ of wing and double-bottom tanks or spaces, when approving the design and construction Consequential amendments to the IOPP Certificate were also adopted.

The MEPC also agreed to include appropriate text referring to the new regulation in the a application of the revised MARPOL Annex I requirements to FPSOs and FSUs and approve of the regulation to column-stabilized MODUs.

Definition of heavy grade oil A further amendment to the revised MARPOL Annex I relates to the definition of "heavy g pollution from oil tankers carrying heavy grade oil as cargo, replacing the words "fuel oils broadening the scope of the regulation.

MARPOL Annex IV amendments The amendment to MARPOL Annex IV Prevention of pollution by sewage from ships adds operational requirements. The regulation states that a ship, when in a port or an offshore inspection by officers duly authorized by such Party concerning operational requirements grounds for believing that the master or crew are not familiar with essential shipboard pr pollution by sewage.

Amendments to BCH Code Amendments to the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerou adopted as a consequence of the revised Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and the amended In Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), which are expecte MEPC also adopted a resolution on Early and Effective Application of the 2006 amendmen to consider the application of the amendments to the BCH Code, as soon as practically po adopted were the revised Guidelines for the provisional assessment of liquids transported industry, in particular the chemical industry, to provide information on the revision of List pollutant-only mixtures based on section 5 of the revised Guidelines. 1 January 2008 May 2006 amendments to SOLAS

- LRIT

The new regulation on LRIT is included in SOLAS chapter V on Safety of Navigation, throu mandatory requirement for the following ships on international voyages: passenger ships including high-speed craft, of 300 gross tonnage and upwards; and mobile offshore drillin

The SOLAS regulation on LRIT establishes a multilateral agreement for sharing LRIT infor purposes, amongst SOLAS Contracting Governments, in order to meet the maritime secu Governments. It maintains the right of flag States to protect information about the ships while allowing coastal States access to information about ships navigating off their coasts create or affirm any new rights of States over ships beyond those existing in internationa Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), nor does it alter or affect the rights, jurisdi connection with UNCLOS.

The LRIT information ships will be required to transmit include the ship's identity, location be no interface between LRIT and AIS. One of the more important distinctions between L range, is that, whereas AIS is a broadcast system, data derived through LRIT will be avai receive such information and safeguards concerning the confidentiality of those data have SOLAS Contracting Governments will be entitled to receive information about ships navig nautical miles off their coast.

The regulation foresees a phased-in implementation schedule for ships constructed befor

January 2008 and an exemption for ships operating exclusively in sea area A1 from the r since such ships are already fitted with AIS. It also identifies which authorities may have

Also adopted were performance standards and functional requirements for LRIT and an M establishment of the long range identification and tracking system.

1 January 2008

May 2006 amendments to STCW Convention and STCW Code - security officers,

The amendments add new minimum mandatory training and certification requirements fo officers (SSOs). The amendments to the STCW Convention and to parts A and B of the ST of certificates of proficiency for Ship Security Officers; Specifications of minimum standar Guidance regarding training for Ship Security Officers.

Further amendments to part A of the STCW Code add additional training requirements fo boats. The amendments have been prepared in response to reports of injuries to seafare launching and recovery of fast rescue boats in adverse weather conditions. 1 Janaury 2008 Amendments to the IMDG Code

The amendments to the IMDG Code (Amendment 33-06) include those prepared on the b Governments and Organizations and those prepared by the UN Committee of Experts on Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. They relate to t to a total pressure of 1 Mpa (10 bar) at 50oC (UN 1040); Polymeric beads (UN 2211); Pla Ammonium Nitrate (UN 1942) and Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer (UN 2067); segregation p not in limited quantities; and the packaging of articles containing dangerous goods in lim apply the amendments on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2007, pending their entry int 1 January 2009 May 2005 amendments to SOLAS

A revised SOLAS chapter II-1 is intended to harmonize the provisions on subdivision and ships. The revised provisions in parts A, B and B-1 will be applicable to new ships built af January 2009.

The amendments, which have been intensively developed over the past decade, are base damage stability, which is itself based on the detailed study of data collected by IMO rela statistical evidence concerning what actually happens when ships collide, the probabilistic than the previously-used "deterministic" method.

The revision has taken into account the results of the HARDER (Harmonisation of Rules a project undertaken by a consortium of European industrial, research and academic institu assessing a ship's damage stability and to develop new criteria and indexes for subdivisio account effects from waves, heeling moments, cargo shift, transient effects and equalizat

Also, new SOLAS regulations XI-1/3-1 and amendments to regulation XI-1/5 on the man identification number. And amendments to add the IMO unique company and registered identification number to International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevent Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. 1 July 2010 May 2006 amendments to SOLAS

Amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 - Fire protection These include amendments relating to Regulation 9 - Containment of fire, so as to includ should be tested and approved in accordance with the guidelines approved by the Organi for oil fuel, lubricating oil and other flammable oils, new text relating to the application of

after 1 February 1992 and on or after 1 July 1998.

Amendments to SOLAS Chapter III - Life-saving appliances and arrangements In Regulation 7 - Personal life-saving appliances, the amendments add a new requiremen voyages of less than 24 hours, a number of infant lifejackets equal to at least 2.5% of th provided; and for passenger ships on voyages of 24 hours or greater, infant lifejackets ar further amendment relates to the provision of lifejackets for larger passengers and states designed to fit persons with a chest girth of up to 1,750 mm, a sufficient number of suita allow them to be secured to such persons.

Amendments to SOLAS Chapter IV - Radiocommunications The amendments relate to the provision of radio equipment, in Regulation 7, to require s a distress alert through the polar orbiting satellite service (COSPAS-SARSAT) operating in and 10, to clarify that the means of initiating ship-to-shore distress alerts may be throug by a ship earth station.

Amendments to SOLAS Chapter V - Safety of navigation The amendment adds a new paragraph to Regulation 22 - Navigation bridge visibility to a that the master has determined that it is safe to do so and takes into consideration any in fields of vision resulting from the operation to ensure that a proper lookout is maintained conducted in accordance with the ship's ballast water management plan, taking into acco exchange. The commencement and termination of the operation should be recorded in th

Amendments to the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code) The amendments replace the text of Chapter 5 Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems with

Amendments to the International Life-Saving Appliance Code (LSA Code) The amendments include the requirement that all life saving appliances should withstand to +65C and personal life-saving appliances should remain operational throughout an ai colour of life-saving appliances is now specified to be "of international or vivid reddish ora all parts where this will assist detection at sea". The existing section 2.2 on General requ replaced. Further amendments relate to specifications for immersion suits and anti-expos

Amendments to Guidelines for the authorization of organizations acting on beha A.739(18)) The amendments to the guidelines, which are mandatory under SOLAS chapter XI-1, add only exclusive surveyors and auditors for surveys and certification, although radio survey surveyors.