Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives    

Action Date: Starting from 1 May 2024

By this message we would like to inform you regarding the amendments to MARPOL Annex V, Regulation 10—Garbage Record Book.

Adopted by:

MEPC.360(79)

Summary:

Amendments to MARPOL Annex V were adopted to expand the scope of Garbage Record Book, which has been required to be provided for vessels of 400 GT and above, to vessels of 100 GT and above.

Implication:

Ships of 100 GT and above will need to keep a Garbage Record Book onboard and record all discharges into the sea or reception facilities or completed incineration, within it.

Application:

Amendments will apply to all ships of 100 GT and above, and to all fixed and floating platforms starting from 1 May 2024.

Please treat this matter with the utmost urgency and take all necessary measures to ensure timely compliance.

March 20^nth, 2024 - PHRS Head Office

Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives    

Action Date: Starting from 1 May 2024

By this message we would like to inform you regarding the amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, Regulation 14—Mediterranean Sea SOx Emission Control Area (ECA) starting from 1 May 2024.

Adopted by: MEPC.361(79)

Summary:

Starting from 1 May 2024, the proposed regulation will include the Mediterranean Sea as an Emission Control Area (ECA) for Sulphur Oxides (Sox) and Particulate Matter (PM)

Implication:

Amendments will start being enforced on 1 May 2025 for all vessels operating in the Mediterranean SOx ECA which will:

1.         not be able to use fuel oil onboard with a sulphur content exceeding 0.10% m/m.

2.         be required to ensure the 0.10% m/m fuel oil sulphur content limit is documented by the supplier.

3.         must carry a written procedure detailing how the fuel changeover is to be carried out (applicable for ships using separate fuels)

Application:

Amendments will apply to new and existing ships.

Please treat this matter with the utmost urgency and take all necessary measures to ensure timely compliance.

March 20^nth, 2024 - PHRS Head Office

Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators of all Comoros flag ships, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives    

Action Date: By September 8th, 2024

By this message we would like to remind you that final date for compliance with the D-2 requirements of the “INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF SHIPS’ BALLAST WATER AND SEDIMENTS, 2004” [installation of Ballast Water Management System (BWMS)] for all vessels is 08 September 2024 and beyond that date no extension of BWMS installation may be granted.

We invite all Managers and Owners, that have yet to comply with the D-2 requirements, to take immediate actions in order to ensure full compliance with the IMO regulations.

Please treat this matter with the utmost urgency and take all necessary measures to ensure timely compliance with the BWMS installation requirement.

March 19th, 2024 - PHRS Head Office

Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators of all ships over 5.000 GT, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives    

Action Date: Immediate

Ship-owners and operators should submit their fuel oil consumption data to a Recognized Organization nominated by the flag (PHRS), as specified in MARPOL Annex VI, in accordance to the approved Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) Part II [IMO DCS (Data Collection System)] & Part III for verification. The IMO DCS format has been revised based on MEPC.348 (78) (APPENDIX 1,2 and 3). The verified IMO-DCS reports of the applicable ships are then uploaded to IMO GISIS system.

The reported data should be supplemented by the appropriate supporting documentation to enable the smooth/prompt verification work.

It is strongly recommended that the submission to be made as soon as possible (till end of March 2024) to provide sufficient time for their review and corrections, if any.

On 1 June 2024, all applicable vessels are required to have on board a “Statement of Compliance”, issued by the respective recognized organization that verified the data.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact technical@phrs.gr.

January 12th, 2024 - PHRS Head Office

Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives

Action Date: Immediate

PURPOSE:

This Maritime Circular highlights the situation in the southern red sea and the Gulf of Aden and its purpose is to advise all ships that are currently operating in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden should exercise increased caution and vigilance, due to the ongoing conflict in Yemen and recent developments in the region, since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict that negatively impacted the maritime security situation in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Questions regarding this Maritime Circular should be directed at mail@skanregistry.com.

December 5th 2023 - PHRS Head Office

The full press can be found here, in full detail.

Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives

Action Date: Immediate

From 10 July to 9 August 2023 the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control conducted a Focused Inspection Campaign (FIC) on Pilot Transfer Arrangements (PTAs). 

The Paris MoU is trialling an alternative approach to the regular Concentrated Inspection Campaigns (CICs) by conducting several short-targeted inspection campaigns referred to as Focused Inspection Campaigns (FICs). In the coming months more such FICs are scheduled. After completion of the trials, the results, ease of implementation and effectiveness will be assessed and, on this basis, further decisions will be made on inspection campaigns and their format. Part of the trial also involves assessing with whether or not to pre-announce the inspection campaign.

The first FIC was carried out on PTAs. This subject was chosen as several incidents during pilot transfer, within the Paris MoU region and beyond, occurred which warranted carrying out this campaign. Most of the time pilot transfers are carried out safely, but the potential consequences of a person falling from a ladder can be fatal and the high-risk embarkation and disembarkation of the pilot by ladder requires constant management and supervision. 

The purpose of the campaign was to verify whether the PTAs on board the ships inspected were fulfilling the SOLAS requirements. A total of 1262 Port State Control inspections were carried out, during which 100 ships were found with one or more deficiencies with the PTA. Deficiencies found indicated that: 

• when requested by Port State Control Officers to demonstrate, pilot ladders were not properly rigged to allow pilots to embark and disembark safely. On several occasions it was found that the weight of the ladder was not taken by its strongest point but, for example, by the steps;
• pilot ladders were damaged and/or not properly maintained;
• identification of ladders and record keeping of surveys and repairs were missing.

The full press can be found here, in full detail.

December 7th 2023 - PHRS Head Office

Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators of Liberian flagged vessels, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives

Action Date: Immediate

PURPOSE:

This Notice provides a reproducible copy of this Operational/Safety Checklist in the RLM-300 to facilitate the inspection of safety equipment as required by SOLAS 1974, as amended, Chapter II, Regulations 14.2 to 14.4, Chapter III, Regulations 20.6 and 20.7 and other parts of SOLAS, MARPOL and other International Conventions, as applicable. The Administration strongly recommends the use of this format or a company sponsored planned maintenance system.

APPLICABILITY:

This Notice applies to Masters as it is their responsibility to ensure that all safety equipment, including lifesaving and firefighting appliances, is always in good condition and available for immediate use. Masters should also be aware that Port State Control inspections are focusing greater attention to the condition of lifesaving and firefighting appliances, based on the fact that these areas continue to generate the greatest number of deficiencies on the average for all vessels inspected by Port State Authorities.

Questions regarding this Marine Notice should be directed to the Fleet Performance Department at prevention@liscr.com.

December 5th 2023 - PHRS Head Office

Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators of Liberian flagged vessels, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives

Action Date: 1^st Dec. 2023

The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to inform shipowners, operators and masters of the new policy issued by the Maritime Safety Administration of the People's Republic of China which intensifies PSC inspections in Chinese ports. The approach under the special follow-up regime adopted by the MSA is to some extent similar to the "Blacklist" management mechanism established by various MOUs in evaluating the performance of the vessels and Flag States.

Requirement

The Maritime Safety Administration of the People's Republic of China (China MSA) has recently issued “The Provisions on the Supervision and Administration of Vessels under Special Follow-up” which enter into force on 1st December 2023 Tand are applicable to Chinese and foreign flagged vessels navigating, berthing or operating in the waters under the jurisdiction of the People’s Republic of China. The Provisions are not applicable to military, fishery and sports vessels.

List of Vessels Under Special Follow Up

The following vessels shall be listed as under special follow-up vessels:

1. Foreign vessels that have been detained twice in the Port State Control inspections in a consecutive 12-month period.

2. Chinese vessels that have been detained twice in the vessel safety inspections (including the oversea Port State Control inspections) in a consecutive 12-month period.

3. Vessels that have been imposed twice administrative penalties by the Maritime Safety Administration in a consecutive 12-month period due to their serious illegal acts such as inadequate manning, malicious shutdown of the AIS, willful and illegal discharge of pollutants, overload, inland river vessels engaging in sea transportation, etc.

4. Vessels that refuse to accept or escape from handling after the occurrence of maritime administrative violations.

5. Vessels that have forged, altered, transferred, traded, or leased vessel certificates or carry out major conversion of vessels without inspection and authorization of the vessel inspection organizations.

6. Vessels that have caused relatively large or higher-level water traffic accidents and bear equal or higher-level responsibilities.

7. Vessels that are managed by shipping companies under special follow-up.

8. Vessels that shall be listed under special follow-up pursuant to the “Provisions on the Administration of Maritime Law Enforcement Assistance in Investigation”.

9. Vessels that require special follow-up as designated by the Maritime Safety Administration of the People's Republic of China.

The inspections conducted by the Maritime Safety Administration on vessels under special follow-up shall not be affected by such factors as sailing schedule, cargo loading and unloading and where conditions permit, such inspection shall be conducted at each port and shall be more detailed in nature.

Removal from the List

Where a foreign vessel under special follow-up has zero deficiency in the Port State Control inspection conducted by the Maritime Safety Administration of the People's Republic of China after three months from the date of listing, the Maritime Safety Administration of the inspection port shall file an application for removing the vessel from the list of vessels under special follow-up along with other relevant materials to its provincial Maritime Safety Administration, the vessel shall be removed from the list upon approval.

During the period when the vessel is listed under special follow-up, for each recurrence of the abovementioned situations that shall be listed as vessels under special follow-up, the time of the application for removing from the list shall be extended by 3 months counting from the previous date of permitted application for removing from the list.

If you have any questions, please contact the Fleet Performance Department at Telephone +1-703-790-3434 or by email to prevention@liscr.com.

December 1st 2023 - PHRS Head Office

Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators of Liberian flagged vessels, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives

Action Date: Immediate

This bulletin is to notify you of two recent security incidents in Ukrainian waters.

On or about 8 November 2023, a ship was struck by an anti-radar missile near Privdennyi seaport, in the Ukrainian city of Yuzhni near Odessa, killing a pilot and injuring three (3) crew members and damaging the ships bridge and superstructure.

On or about 16 November, another ship was likely hit by a floating sea mine in position 450 16.5’ N 0300 26.1’ E while underway from the port of Pivdennyi to Constanta, Romania. The vessel sustained minor equipment damage, all crew onboard the vessel is reported safe, and no injury or pollution has been reported.

Please also be reminded that NAVAREA III warning 0092/202 for the BLACK SEA - NORTHWESTERN PART is currently in effect for danger to navigation related to mine laying activity.

Ships Masters should obtain the relevant NAVAREA III warnings and contact the local port authorities and ships agents for additional information. Ships navigating in these areas, including approaches to ports in Ukraine, should also monitor Maritime Safety Information (MSI) messages, maintain a proper lookout for suspicious drifting objects and report immediately to ships and coast radio stations in the area with position and direction and speed of wind and current.

All vessels transiting this Area are also advised to take extra precaution and measures in accordance with the approved ship security plan and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities including security@liscr.com.

Please keep LISCR’s Security Department informed of any security incidents at:

Office of the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs

Republic of Liberia

22980 Indian Creek Drive, Suite 200 Dulles, Virginia 20166 USA

D: +1 571 495 5944 / O: +1 703 790 3434 / F: +1 703 790 5655

Email: security@liscr.com

Website: www.liscr.com

November 24th 2023 - PHRS Head Office

Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators of Liberian flagged vessels, PHRS Surveyors / Representatives

Action Date: Immediate

Purpose

The purpose of this Marine Advisory  is to inform shipowners, operators, inspectors and masters of revisions to the Liberian Maritime Regulations RLM-108 related to the use of record and log books onboard ships.

Background

In order to provide a uniform standard and consistency in record-keeping of MARPOL, Ballast Water and Radio activities onboard Liberian registered ships, RLM-108 was revised in August 2022 to make use of the record and log books listed below officially issued by the Administration mandatory on Liberian registered ships.

Requirements

The following record and logbooks shall be officially issued by the Administration in paper format; or as record book or log book in electronic format (electronic record book) approved by the Administration:
 
1. Oil Records Book Parts I and II;
2. Cargo Record Book – NLS;
3. Garbage Records Book Parts I and II;
4. Ballast Water Record Book; and
5. GMDSS Radio Log Book 

Existing records and log books not officially issued by the Administration may continue to be used until onboard supplies of such versions are exhausted. To order the books, please complete this publications order form or directly from LISCR'swebsite.

 The Administration maintains a list of approved Electronic Record Books.

New Record Book

The Administration is also offering shipowners/operators a Marine Sulphur Record Book which may be used for recording fuel oil change-over, including other events related to Sulphur content in the fuel.

Questions regarding this instruction should be referred to publications@liscr.com or you may call +1-703-790-3434.

November 22nd 2023 - PHRS Head Office