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…

Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Representatives/ Surveyors              Action Date: N/A PHRS would like to recall ship-owners, managers and operators of the importance of availability of effective procedures and measures for Crew Familiarization for Enclosed Space Entry to safeguard seafarers on board ships when entering and working in enclosed spaces. These procedures have to be incorporated into the company's SMS procedures according to the ISM Code. Since 2016, SOLAS Regulation III / 19.3 as amended requires enclosed space entry and rescue drills to be carried out at least once every two months on board all…

Refers to: Owners and Operators of vessels greater than 5.000 GT, engaged in commercial voyages in/out or between EU ports            Action Date: 01/01/2018 According to the European Regulation (EU) 2015/757 for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of Carbon Dioxide emissions for Shipping (EU-MRV), from 01/01/2018 on wards,  every ship equal to or larger than 5000 GT which has a commercial operation and calls to a European port, is obliged to monitor and report a series of relevant data on to its CO2 emissions. The submission of the first emissions reports corresponding to the first reporting period (set…

Refers to: Owners and Operators of Panamanian flagged vessels, PHRS Representatives/ Surveyors          Action Date: Immediate With regards to PHRS NL192/17 (which can be found here) regarding the instructions and procedures on the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) from Panama Maritime Authority, recently PMA has updated the pertinent instructions and procedures on the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) According to MMC-133, Company Security Officers (CSOs) of vessels under Panama flag, must apply to PMA for the revalidation of their information through the online application (http://certificates.amp.gob.pa/certificates). Once this is done, the CSOs will receive an email from info@panama-ssas.com with their…