Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives
Action Date: 26 Dec. 2020
The amendment to Standard A2.1 requires a Seafarer's Employment Agreement (SEA) to remain in effect while a seafarer is held captive on or off the ship due to piracy or armed robbery, regardless of whether the date fixed for its expiry has passed or any notice to terminate it has been issued.
The amendment to Standard A2.2 requires that wages and other entitlements, under the SEA and any Collective
Bargaining Agreement (CBA), including allotments, shall continue to be paid during the entire period of captivity
until the seafarer is released and repatriated in accordance with MLC 2006 requirements or dies in captivity. The date of any death in captivity will be determined in accordance with national laws and recommendations.
Changes to the DMLC Part I and DMLC Part II are not necessary due to these amendments, unless deemed necessary in case of existing references that contravene the 2018 amendments.
If changes to the DMLC Part II are made, the ship-owners have to notify PHRS and compliance with the new requirements can be confirmed during the periodical scheduled MLC 2006 inspections on or after 26 December 2020.
The text of the amendment can be found here.
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information you may need on the above.
November 2nd, 2020 - PHRS Head Office
Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives
Action Date: 31 Dec. 2020
The purpose of subject newsletter is to inform all interested parties of the IHM Guidelines of vessels operating in European waters considering the disruptions caused by Covid-19. More specifically:
In case that a vessel may arrive at an EU port after 31 December 2020 without carrying on board a valid IHM and/or accompanying certificate (Inventory Certificate or Ready for Recycling certificate for EU flagged vessel or Statement of Compliance for non-EU flagged vessel) and the ship owner/master claims that this non-compliance is due to the Covid-19 situation, evidence should be provided by ship owner/master, that all possible measures were taken to undertake the work and get the certification required.
The above-mentioned Guidelines concern a relaxation, not an exemption.
The Commission Notice Guidelines can be found here, in full detail.
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information you may need on the above.
October 23rd, 2020 - PHRS Head Office
Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators of Panamanian flagged vessels, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives
Action Date: 01 Oct. 2020
Due to the high level of deficiencies found in recent year by PSC authorities related to the ISPS code, the Panama Maritime Authority has decided to implement a concentrated Inspection Campaigns from October 1st until December 31st 2020 focused on ISPS code, through their Annual Safety Inspection Program.
The purpose of this additional verification is to make sure the vessels and their crews are familiar with the requirements ISPS code conditions and its importance for the vessel's safety operations; verifying that the vessels comply with the applicable international instruments.
Taking into consideration the following:
1. Starting October 1st 2020 you must attach the preliminary report with the new check list.
2. The inspector who does not attach the check list to the inspection form will not be entitled to charge for such inspection; it means that inspections without the check list attached will not be paid.
3. It is mandatory to comply with this instruction.
Circular Letter No 103-01-00398-DGMM-DNSM can be found here.
Concentrated Inspection Campaign on ISPS code can be found here.
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information you may need on the above.
October 21st, 2020 - PHRS Head Office
NL 238/20 | COVID19 – WHO guidance to promote public health measures on cargo ships and fishing vessels
Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives
Action Date: Immediate
The purpose of subject newsletter is to inform all interested parties of the current situation and temporary measures to be taken by cargo ships and fishing vessels due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
The Secretary-General of IMO has received the attached interim guidance on "Promoting public health measures in response to COVID-19 on cargo ships and fishing vessels" prepared by WHO, with the contributions of the following organizations, which helped to develop this guidance document: IMO; ILO; ICS; IAPH; INTERTANKO; IMHA; ITF; the WHO Collaborating Centre for the International Health Regulations – Points of Entry; University of Thessaly, Greece; Europêche; and the European Community Ship-ownersʹ Associations.
Circular Letter No.4204/Add.28 can be found here, in full detail.
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information you may need on the above.
October 20th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office
Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators of Panamanian flagged vessels, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives
Action Date: Immediate
The purpose of subject newsletter is to inform all interested parties regarding the SSAS Test Instructions issued by Panama Flag Administration via MMC-133.
More specifically, the purpose of this MMC-133 is to update the instructions and procedures of the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) according to SOLAS 74’, as amended Chapter XI-2 Reg. 6, the IMO Resolution MSC 136(76) and Resolution No.106-107-DGMM dated October 9th, 2017 (Visit Maritime Security link, ISPS Regulations, SSAS).
Merchant Marine Circular 133 can be found here, in full detail.
Furthermore, an example of the SSAS TEST confirmation through the online Platform, according to the MMC-133, can be found here.
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information you may need on the above.
October 19th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office
NL 236/20 | PMA - Amended MMN-07/2020 (Covid-19)
Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators of Panamanian flagged vessels, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives
Action Date: 01 Sept. 2020
Kindly be informed thatMerchant Marine Notice 07 (MMN-07-2020) is now amended by Panama Maritime Authority (PMA).
Ships’ owners/operators, Recognized Organizations and other interested parties are now informed on how to proceed in case of request for postponement-extension of statutory certification & services, from 1st September 2020.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused disruptions to the provision of normal shipping services, including the conduct of surveys and IMO urges Governments to carefully consider the introduction of restrictions which would affect the conduct of statutory surveys, so that the survey and certification regime can continue to operate as normal, ships can comply with the relevant mandatory requirements and Parties can adhere to their obligations under treaties.
The amended MMN takes into account the recommendation in the IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.19/Rev.2, dated 22 July 2020 (Guiding principles for the provision of technical and implementation advice to flag States when considering whether to permit statutory certificate extension beyond 3 months).
Recognized Organizations are instructed from 1st September 2020, to request authorization to issue conditional certificates on a case by case basis due to extraordinary circumstances and if no other alternative exist, following the annexed Guiding Principles in the IMO Circular Letter.
According to the amended MMN-07, all statutory Certificates’ extensions for the maximum period of three (3) months according to Conventions shall be requested on a case by case basis to the Administration.
The applications are processed through the various Segumar offices worldwide.
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information you may need on the above.
September 7th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office
NL 235/20 | Maritime Cyber Risk Management
Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives
Action Date: Immediate
Ships are increasingly using systems that rely on digitization, digitization, 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 onboard 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 can lead to cyber risks which should be addressed. Vulnerable systems could include, but are not limited to:
1. Bridge systems;
2. Cargo handling and management systems;
3. Propulsion and machinery management and power control systems;
4. Access control systems;
5. Passenger servicing and management systems;
6. Passenger facing public networks;
7. Administrative and crew welfare systems; and
8. Communication systems
To mitigate the potential safety, environmental and commercial consequences of a cyber-incident, the IMO and other international shipping organizations have participated in the development of guidelines designed to assist shipping companies in formulating their own approaches to cyber risk management onboard ships:
- Resolution MSC.1/ Circ.1526 with Interim Guidelines on Maritime Cyber Risk Management, which can be found here.
- Resolution MSC.428 (98) regarding Maritime Cyber Risk Management in Safety Management Systems, which can be found here.
- IMO MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3 with Guidelines on Maritime Cyber Risk Management, which can be found here.
- The above mentioned guidelines can be found here.
According to IMO Resolution MSC.428 (98) on Maritime Cyber Risk Management, the objectives of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code include the provision of safe practices in ship operation and a safe working environment, the assessment of all identified risks to ships, personnel and the environment. In this scope, the Safety Management System (SMS) of the shipping companies should take into account cyber risk management in accordance with the objectives and functional requirements of the ISM Code aiming to safeguard shipping from current and emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Therefore, cyber risks should be appropriately addressed in the SMS no later than the first annual verification of the company’s Document of Compliance that occurs after 1 January 2021.
For that scope,
- The Interim Guidelines on Maritime Cyber Risk Management [IMO resolution MSC.1/Circ.1526] provides recommendations that can be incorporated into existing risk management processes. The Guidelines also include functional elements that support effective cyber risk management.
- The Guidelines on Cyber Security onboard Ships, reflects a deeper experience with risk assessments of operational technology, such as navigational systems and engine controls, and provides more guidance for dealing with the cyber risks to the ship arising from parties in the supply chain. For detailed guidance on cyber risk management.
- Flag Administrations will soon publish their own guidelines & requirements for encouraging ship-owners and operators to take the necessary steps to safeguard shipping from current and emerging threats and vulnerabilities related to digitization, integration and automation of processes and systems in shipping. Shipping companies should carefully develop plans and procedures for cyber risk management which should be seen as complementary to existing security and safety risk management requirements contained in the International Safety Management Code (ISM) Code and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information you may need on the above.
June 4th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office
Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators of Panamanian flagged vessels, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives
Action Date: Immediate
The purpose of subject newsletter is to inform all interested parties about the latest circulars and marine notices issued by Panama Maritime Authority, regarding various issues. More specifically:
- Merchant Marine Notice - MMN-07/2020 on how to proceed in case of request of postponement-extension of statutory certification and services due to COVID-19.
- Letter 106-01-238-DGMM regarding authorized companies to perform annual safety inspections or special inspections.
- Merchant Marine Circular - MMC-197 regarding the Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT) as well as MMN-03/2019 for the LRIT Conformance Test and MMN-06/2019 for the Sanction to all vessels of Panamanian Registry that deliberately deactivate the Long Range Identification and Tracking Equipment (LRIT) or the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information you may need on the above.
June 1st, 2020 - PHRS Head Office
Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators of Comoros flagged vessels, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives
Action Date: Immediate
The purpose of subject newsletter is to inform all interested parties of the measures taken by the Maritime Administration of Comoros regarding the postponement and/or extension of statutory certificates and other services due to the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus.
According to Circular 24, issued by Comoros Maritime Administration on March 28th, all statutory certificates (except for conditional certs.) expiring between March and May 2020 shall exceptionally be extended for a maximum of 3 month period, including DOC/ SMC/ ISS/ MLC and exemption certificates, subject to RO's acceptance and in coordination with the Classification Society.
Regarding vessels holding conditional certificates due to deficiencies or damages on board, which cannot be rectified or corrected, always in coordination with PHRS, shall contact the Administration for further guidance.
Please click herefor the full version of Circular 24 (Ref. No 20/01855/COM).
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information you may need on the above.
April 7th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office
Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives
Action Date: Immediate
The purpose of subject newsletter is to provide all interested parties with a quick reference guide for an effective implementation of the safety management system (SMS) required by the ISM Code requirements onboard ships at any given time.
The data have been derived from findings arising from ISM Code audits carried out by PHRS and from ISM-related deficiencies raised during Port State Control (PSC) inspections and detentions.
It can be used also by Captains and DPAs as an effective tool to prepare the vessel for PSC inspections, external or internal audits or to check the implementation of the ISM Code on a routine basis.
If any of the common non-conformities listed in this guide are identified on board, immediate corrective action must be taken by the crew. A record of actions taken should be maintained to serve as evidence that the SMS is functional until such time that action has been taken to eliminate the root cause.
The document is available online here.
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information you may need on the above.
May 26th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office