Amendments to the IBC Code (MSC460(101) / MEPC318(74)), BCH Code (MSC463(101) / MEPC319(74)) and MARPOL 73/78 Annex II (MEPC315(74)) will enter into force on 1 January 2021, and all ships carrying dangerous chemicals and/or noxious liquid substances in bulk need to satisfy the revised requirements prior to the date of entry into force.

Major revisions of MARPOL 73/78 Annex II
- Prewash requirements for persistent floating products
- Revision of the standard format of P&A Manual

Major revisions of IBC Code, BCH Code
- Revision of carriage requirements (Chapter 17 & 18)
- Operational requirements for persistent floating products (Chapter 16)
- Special requirements of Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) detection equipment (Chapter 15)

Entry into force of IMO Resolution MSC.402(96) on the 1st January 2020

The following amendments to SOLAS Chapter III enter into force on the 1st January 2020, through IMO Resolution MSC.404(96):

Maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear shall be carried out in accordance with IMO Resolution MSC.402(96).

A set of important amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and various codes mandatory under the Convention enter into force on 1 January 2020.

They include:

- Addressing lifeboat maintenance - preventing accidents with lifeboats
- Subdivision and damage stability
- Expanding maritime satellite communications equipment providers

This is a reminder that the requirements of MARPOL Annex VI, Regulation 12 regarding ozone depleting substances will come into effect from 1 January 2020.

These include prohibiting installations that contain hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs):

- on ships constructed (keel lay date) on or after 1 January 2020; or

- in the case of ships constructed (keel lay date) before 1 January 2020, which have a contractual delivery date of the equipment to the ship on or after 1 January 2020 or, in the absence of a contractual delivery date, the actual delivery of the equipment to the ship on or after 1 January 2020.

This statutory news provides a summary of relevant guidance on various aspects of ballast water management such as on new IMO requirements for biological testing by sampling at commissioning of ballast water management systems and on contingency measures. It also includes recommendations for IOPP re-coupling and handling of typical operational challenges.