Statutory Services :: ISM Code

The International Safety Management Code (ISM Code) was adopted by IMO assembly resolution A.741 (18) on the 4th of November 1993. This Code is actually an international standard that/which provides the basic guidelines for the safe management and operation of certain categories of ships.

The code has been incorporated in chapter IX of SOLAS 1974 convention, as amended. The implementation of the Code is mandatory for all vessels of more than 500 Gross Tonnage, measured in accordance with the International Tonnage Convention of 1969.

The code has a great impact on shipping business, as according to the Code’s requirements, the implementation of a documented management system for the shipping companies and the vessels under their management is mandatory.

The basic idea behind the Code is the availability of objective evidences related to ships’ management in order to verify that a minimum level of safe management is maintained ashore and onboard (a ship). The traceability/detection of these objective and documented evidences is of major importance in case of accidents, insurance claims etc.

The satisfactory implementation of the Code is confirmed by means of two certificates, one concerning the managing company, called Document of Compliance (DOC) and one concerning the ship, called Safety Management Certificate (SMC).

The DOC has five year validity and is subject to annual verification audits, while SMC has the same validity but is subject to an intermediate audit during the validity period.

The proper implementation of the ISM Code is very important for the safe operation of a ship for safety and environmental issues; since such an implementation combines the effective and essential compliance of the vessel, with all the applicable international conventions, including also the training standards for the crew.