Ships are increasingly using systems that rely on digitization, digitalization, integration, and automation. Cyber technologies have become essential to the operation and management of numerous systems critical to the safety and security of shipping and protection of the marine environment.  As technology continues to develop, information technology and operational technology on board ships are being networked together and more frequently connected to the internet. Therefore the ships’ systems and networks maybe vulnerable to risks may also occur from personnel accessing systems on board, for example by introducing malware via removable media. The vulnerabilities created by accessing, interconnecting or networking these systems…

Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators of Panamanian flagged vessels, PHRS Representatives/Surveyors Action Date: January 8th, 2019 Kindly note that Merchant Marine Circular 269 issued by the Panama Maritime Authority, regarding the certification process for Maritime Labor Convention has been revised.   This revision includes the modification of paragraph 22 stating that from January 8th 2019, the ROs listed in the Circular MMC 255 may extend the validity of the Maritime Labor Certificate for a period not exceeding five months after the expiry date of the existing certificate, provided that the renewal inspection has been carried out according to standard…

  Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Representatives/ Surveyors              Action Date: January 1st, 2020 The Maritime Authorities of Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU on Port State Control announced that their officers will start issuing a Letter of Warning from 1st January 2019 on the sulfur content of marine fuels during inspections on ships in order to increase awareness of and to encourage timely compliance with the new requirements of MARPOL Annex VI (Regulations 14 and 18), known as the global 2020 Sulfur cap, which will enter to force from 1 January 2020. The requirement of maximum sulfur content of…

Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Representatives/ Surveyors              Action Date: January 1st, 2019 The Chinese Ministry of Transport and China's Maritime Safety authority (MSA) have recently  (30/11/2018) took action on emissions regulations. Specifically, an implementation plan was established by which three major Domestic Emission Control Areas for Atmospheric Pollution from Vessels ( “DECAs”) have been designated to control and reduce emissions of atmospheric pollutants including SOx, NOx, particulate matters (PMs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from vessels and to improve the air quality of coastal areas and inland river port cities. Among other…

Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Representatives/ Surveyors              Action Date: N/A The American Waterways Operators (AWO) is working with the US Coast Guard to prevent and manage fatigue risks in the US tugboat, towboat and barge industry since the ‘90s. Towing vessel’ crew members are regularly exposed to the risk of fatigue, among other risks. Managing and mitigating these risks is important to reduce the likelihood of fatigue-related accidents. With the goal of taking a proactive approach to fatigue prevention and management and reducing this risk of fatigue-related accidents, AWO’s Fatigue Risk Management Working…