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.

Exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) – more commonly referred to as scrubbers – are an accepted equivalent measure in complying with the IMO 2020 global sulphur cap. The use of scrubbers has split the shipping industry. Ports around the world are looking at the impact of scrubber use in their waters.

A number of ports and regions have already stated that they will not allow the discharge of washwater from scrubbers.

Draft new IMO requirements intend to improve mooring safety by introducing additional requirements to selection, arrangement, inspection, maintenance and replacement of mooring equipment including lines from 1 January 2024. This statutory news summarizes these draft mooring requirements.

With the first reporting year for IMO DCS ended (2019), and the deadline for reporting the data to the verifier has passed (31 March), a Statement of Compliance (SoC) shall be provided by the verifier and kept onboard no later than 31 May 2020. This statutory news is a reminder on how to stay in compliance with regulation 22A of MARPOL Annex VI.

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.