List of amendments expected to enter into force this year and in the coming
years. Includes certain other specified "effective dates".
1 January 2017 – Polar Code
The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) and
related amendments to make it mandatory under both SOLAS and MARPOL enter into
force.
The Polar Code will apply to new ships constructed after 1 January 2017. Ships
constructed before 1 January 2017 will be required to meet the relevant
requirements of the Polar Code by the first intermediate or renewal survey,
whichever occurs first, after 1 January 2018
1 January 2017 - MARPOL Annex I - oil residues
Amendments to regulation 12 of MARPOL Annex I, concerning tanks for oil residues
(sludge). The amendments update and revise the regulation, expanding on the
requirements for discharge connections and piping to ensure oil residues are
properly disposed of.
1 January 2017 – SOLAS – IGF Code
International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels
(IGF Code), along with amendments to make the Code mandatory under SOLAS enter
into force.
The amendments to SOLAS chapter II-1 (Construction – Structure, subdivision and
stability, machinery and electrical installations), include amendments to Part F
Alternative design and arrangements, to provide a methodology for alternative
design and arrangements for machinery, electrical installations and
low-flashpoint fuel storage and distribution systems; and a new Part G Ships
using low-flashpoint fuels, to add new regulations to require ships constructed
after the expected date of entry into force of 1 January 2017 to comply with the
requirements of the IGF Code, together with related amendments to chapter II-2
and Appendix (Certificates).
The IGF Code contains mandatory provisions for the arrangement, installation,
control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using low-flashpoint
fuels, focusing initially on LNG.
The Code addresses all areas that need special consideration for the usage of
low-flashpoint fuels, taking a goal-based approach, with goals and functional
requirements specified for each section forming the basis for the design,
construction and operation of ships using this type of fuel.
Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), and STCW Code, to include
new mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of
masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on ships subject to the IGF Code,
also enter into force on 1 January 2017.
1 January 2017 – SOLAS - venting
Amendments to SOLAS regulations II-2/4.5 and II-2/11.6, clarifying the
provisions related to the secondary means of venting cargo tanks in order to
ensure adequate safety against over- and under-pressure in the event of a cargo
tank isolation valve being damaged or inadvertently closed, and SOLAS regulation
II-2/20 relating to performance of ventilation systems.
1 January 2017 - STCW Manila amendments
transitional provisions end
From 1 January 2017, STCW certificates must be issued, renewed and revalidated
in accordance with the provisions of the 2010 Manila Amendments.
1 September 2017 - MARPOL amendments sewage
special area, NOx tier III reporting
MARPOL amendments adopted in April 2016 (MEPC 69) enter into force:
• amendments to MARPOL Annex IV relating to the dates for implementation of the
discharge requirements for passenger ships while in a special area, i.e. not
before 1 June 2019 for new passenger ships and not before 1 June 2021 for
existing passenger ships;
• amendments to MARPOL Annex II, appendix I, related to the revised GESAMP
hazard evaluation procedure;
• amendments to MARPOL Annex VI regarding record requirements for operational
compliance with NOX Tier III emission control areas;
• amendments to the NOX Technical Code 2008 to facilitate the testing of
gas-fuelled engines and dual fuel engines.
1 January 2018 - Revised FAL Convention
The revised Annex to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime
Traffic (FAL) includes mandatory requirements for the electronic exchange of
information on cargo, crew and passengers.
A new recommended practice encourages the use of the “single window” concept, to
enable all the information required by public authorities in connection with the
arrival, stay and departure of ships, persons and cargo, to be submitted via a
single portal without duplication.
Other revised standards cover shore leave and access to shore-side facilities
for crew, including the addition of a paragraph in the standard to say that
there should be no discrimination, in respect of shore leave, on grounds of
nationality, race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, or social origin,
and irrespective of the flag State of the ship on which seafarers are employed,
engaged or work.
Standards and recommended practices relating to stowaways are also updated, to
include references to relevant sections of the International Ship and Port
Facilities’ Security (ISPS) Code. A new standard requires Governments, where
appropriate, to incorporate into their national legislation legal grounds to
allow prosecution of stowaways, attempted stowaways and any individual or
company aiding a stowaway or an attempted stowaway with the intention to
facilitate access to the port area, any ship, cargo or freight containers.
The IMO Standardized Forms (FAL forms), which cover IMO General Declaration;
Cargo Declaration; Ship's Stores Declaration; Crew's Effects Declaration; Crew
List• Passenger List and Dangerous Goods have also been revised.
1 March 2018 - MARPOL Annex VI Collection and
reporting of ship fuel oil consumption data
Adopted by MEPC 70. New mandatory fuel oil data collection system. Amendments to
chapter 4 of annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) add new Regulation 22A on Collection and reporting
of ship fuel oil consumption data. Under the new requirements, ships of 5,000
gross tonnage and above will have to collect consumption data for each type of
fuel oil they use, as well as other, additional, specified data including
proxies for transport work. Also new appendices covering Information to be
submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database and form of the
Statement of Compliance, which would be issued to the ship once the relevant
data had been reported. Other regulations are amended to cater for the new
requirement, including those related to certificates, surveys and port State
control.
1 March 2018 - MARPOL Annex I (IOPPC), MARPOL
Annex V (HME products)
Adopted by MEPC 70:
• Amendments to MARPOL Annex I to update Form B of the Supplement to the
International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate, in relation to segregated
ballast tanks;
• Amendments to MARPOL Annex V related to products which are hazardous to the
marine environment (HME) and Form of Garbage Record Book. The amendments provide
criteria for the classification of solid bulk cargoes as harmful to the marine
environment and are aimed at ensuring that such substances are declared by the
shipper if they are classed as harmful and are not discharged.
1 July 2018 - STCW Polar waters, emergency
training on passenger ships
Adopted by MSC 97. Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and its related
STCW Code, to include new mandatory minimum training requirements for masters
and deck officers on ships operating in Polar Waters; and an extension of
emergency training for personnel on passenger ships.
1 July 2018 - ESP Code
Amendments to the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections
during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, 2011 (2011 ESP Code). Adopted
by MSC 97.
1 January 2020 - SOLAS amendments , amendments to
Codes
Amendments adopted by MSC 97:
• Amendments to SOLAS regulation II-1/3-12 on protection against noise,
regulations II-2/1 and II-2/10 on firefighting and new regulation XI-1/2-1 on
harmonization of survey periods of cargo ships not subject to the ESP Code.
• Amendments to the 2008 International code on Intact Stability (IS Code),
relating to ships engaged in anchor handling operations and to ships engaged in
lifting and towing operations, including escort towing. The amendments are
expected to enter into force on 1 January 2020.
• Amendments to the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code),
clarifying the distribution of crew in public spaces for the calculation of
stairways width. The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January
2020.
• Amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of
Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code), aligning the wheelhouse
window fire-rating requirements in the IGC Code with those in SOLAS chapter
II-2. The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2020.
