Classification Updates

This document is Volume 1 of the ABS CyberSafety™ series. It provides best practices for cybersecurity, as a foundational element of overall safety and security within and across the marine and offshore communities. The best practices are meant to provide insights for operations, maintenance and support of cyber-enabled systems.

This article highlights recent amendments to the BWRB requirements, emphasizing their significance for compliance and environmental protection

The Paris MoU issued a press release on the following inspection campaign to verify compliance with the requirements of the Polar Code:
Inspection item:

ClassNK have revised a previously issued ClassNK Technical Information (No.TEC-1230 dated 2 April 2021) related to the fitting or designating the fuel oil sampling points. This Technical Information supersedes the previously issued No.TEC-1230.

1. Introduction
1.1 This document describes how items of machinery may be credited for survey based on examinations by the ship’s Chief Engineer.

1.2 The arrangement is only applicable to ships operating on a continuous survey machinery (CSM) cycle and the procedures to be applied depend on whether or not the ship is operating an approved planned maintenance scheme for machinery.

As you are aware, the Amendments of 2018 to the MLC, 2006 enter into force on 26 Dec. 2020 in the countries that have ratified the MLC, 2006. The following requirements are newly added by the Amendments.

ClassNK External Affairs Department has been providing reports of IMO meetings, for our prompt information service on the latest development of IMO.

Lifeboats and rescue boats are not part of the Classification of the ship carrying these boats by Germanischer Lloyd (GL). These boats will be treated completely independent from the ship and therefore a separate application for the Certification or Classification of lifeboats or rescue boats has to be presented to GL, compare Section 2.

Scrubbers are a relevant compliance option for many ships to meet the IMO Global Sulphur Cap 2020. DNV GL has for many years worked with owners and operators on scrubber installation and operation.

This casualty information focuses on the importance of selecting the correct design and appropriate materials for the scrubber overboard spool piece, the need for good workmanship as well as the need for regular inspections in order to avoid similar incidents occurring.

On the purpose of class notations, the definitions given in 2.1.1 to 2.1.11 will apply.
2.1.1. Clear water. Water having sufficient depth to permit the normal development of wind generated waves.
2.1.2. Fetch. The extent of clear water across which a wind has blown before reaching the ship.

Common Notations and Symbols The notations and symbols contained under this heading may be applicable to any type of vessel or offshore installation, as indicated by the referenced Rules and Guides (which are mostly available for viewing at http://www.eagle.org/rules/downloads.html). These notations and symbols pertain to hull structure, analyses, equipment, machinery, automation, surveys, etc.

According to the decisions taken at the sixty-eighth session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC68) held in May 2015, amendments to MARPOL Annex I were adopted to clarify the scope pf application of the requirements for sludge discharging piping and bilge-water piping specified in regulation 12 of the said Annex, and the amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2017.

This guideline provides recommendations for the responsibilities, procedures and equipment required for LNG bunkering operations and sets harmonised minimum baseline recommendations for bunkering risk assessment, equipment and operations.
These guidelines do not consider commercial aspects of the bunker transfer such as Bunker Delivery Notes and measurement of quantity or quality of LNG.

Battery storage combined with low carbon power generation is the solution to 'black swan events' says RES and the certification authority Lloyd's Register, as Australia starts to redesign its energy policy following the blackout in South Australia affecting 1.7 million residents.

Deploying Information and Communications Technology in Shipping – Lloyd’s Register’s Approach to Assurance.

This Circular sets out the requirements for inspection, testing and maintenance of compressed gas
cylinders, fire extinguishers and fire protection systems and appliances.
This ClassNK Technical Information supersedes the previous ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0919.

According to the previous NOTE 01/2016, existing ships, the keels of which were laid or which are at a similar stage of construction before 1 January 2015, were required to apply Section 4.4, Section 7.1, Section 7.3, and Section 8 of Annex 14 by the first survey related to the Safety Construction Certificate on or after 1 January 2016.

Merchant Marine Circular MMC-131 was revised by PANAMA MARITIME AUTHORITY on 1 August 2016. As a Full term ISSC for a Panama flagged ship is issued by the Administration (PMA), a short term ISSC is issued by the attending auditor upon the completion of initial ISPS audit so far.

The ninety-sixth session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 96) was held at the IMO in London,
U.K. from 11 to 20 May 2016. Since the minutes, resolutions and circulars of the meeting were
recently released from the IMO, a summary of the decisions taken at MSC 96 is provided as below for
your information.

The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship's Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (Hereinafter referred to "the BWM Convention") satisfied the requirements for entry into force on 8 September
2016. This means that the BWM Convention will officially enter into force one year later on 8 September 2016.