OCIMF and ICS together with the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) have worked together over the past two years to revise and update the International Safety Guide for Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT 6).

This Sixth Edition encompasses the latest thinking on a range of topical issues including gas detection, the toxicity and the toxic effects of petroleum products (including benzene and hydrogen sulphide), the generation of static electricity and stray currents, fire protection and the growing use of mobile electronic technology.

The carriage of methanol in bulk is becoming common in the offshore oil and gas industry, and although there is technical documentation on methanol handling, guidance for offshore carriage by sea is limited. Methanol is a hazardous chemical with significant toxic, flammable, and reactive properties that can adversely affect human health and the environment when not properly handled. This information paper from OCIMF and the Maritime Safety Forum (MSF) provides guidance for the safe loading, carriage and discharge of methanol by offshore support vessels.

Amendments to MARPOL Annex II (Cargo residues and tank washings of persistent floating products) enter into force on 1 January 2021.

These new amendments, adopted by IMO Resolution MEPC.315(74), have newly defined persistent floating products ("persistent floater(s)") and impose stricter prewash requirements.

With effect from 1st January 2020, amendment 05-19 may be applied by Governments on a voluntary basis but with effect from 1st January 2021 it will enter into mandatory force. It is important to recognise that in the period 1st January 2020 – 31st December 2020 the 2018 edition of the IMSBC (including amendment 04-17) is the mandatory instrument in jurisdictions where the 2020 edition has not been voluntarily adopted. Members should also note the contents of circular CCC.1/Circ.2/Rev.1 dated 20 September 2017 in respect of the carriage of bauxite under the provisions of the 2018 edition of the IMSBC code.