New regulations on the safe operation of ships underway 

On 1 July 2010, a number of amendments to the ISM Code will take effect. The amendments will increase focus on the shipping company’s responsibility and are, furthermore, intended to further a more preventive behaviour through improved identification of the risk related to work on board. A number of clarifications derived from the experience gained so far with the use of the ISM Code are also incorporated.

The primary amendments concern: 

• The definition of a “major non-conformity” is simplified to stress that requirements from the Code that have not been implemented effectively and systematically constitute a major non-conformity. A major non-conformity can mean that the Document of Compliance of the shipping company is withdrawn and hereafter the company can no longer operate its ships.
   

• In addition to identifying relevant risk elements, the shipping company is required to make an assessment of the importance of the risks identified to safety and to take the necessary preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of these risks.
   

• The master is required to carry out a periodic check of the safety management system according to fixed intervals.
   

• In the provision on the establishment of shipboard operations and emergency procedures, it is clarified that the shipping company has a direct responsibility for both the identification and the establishment of procedures, plans and instructions for “handling” the relevant operations and emergency procedures.
   

• It is clarified that the protection of persons must form part of the plans for shipboard operations, and a wider degree of environmental protection must be aimed at, which – in addition to preventing pollution – must contain measures for protecting the environment.
   

• In the requirement for follow-ups on reports and analyses, it is laid down that this must also contribute to preventing recurrences.
   

• Where the shipping company was previously to lay down procedures on its own intended to assist the ship management in identifying – on its own – vital equipment, the shipping company is now directly involved in the identification of equipment and technical systems in cases where sudden operational failure can result in dangerous situations.
   

• It is determined that internal audits must be carried out in both the shore-based parts of the shipping company and on the individual ships at maximum intervals of 12 months.
   

• It will become possible to extend the validity of the ISM Certificate in situations where the new certificate is, for example, to be issued by and forwarded from a main office. 

Through the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Danish Maritime Authority has been involved in the drawing up of the new regulations.

An updated version of the ISM Code with the most recent amendments (marked) is available from this link.