Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels

Action Date: Immediate

 1. SCOPE & PURPOSE

This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about the issuance of Marine Operations Note: 04/26 by the Liberian Registry. This Marine Operations Note informs all shipowners, ship management companies, manning/crewing agents and authorized Liberian filing agents of the ability to verify all Seafarers documents including CRAs issued through the Seafarer Portal on or after 24 April 2026 via an embedded QR code.

2. BACKGROUND

Effective 24 April 2026, all Liberian documents issued through the Seafarer Portal shall see the inclusion of a QR Code embedded on every Liberian document, including CRAs. Scanning the QR Code will navigate the user to the Seafarer Certification Verification page to confirm the validity of each particular document.

This feature is also available to verify:

• Liberian Course Certificates issued by Liberian Approved and Recognized Training Centers
• Medical certificates (Form RLM-105M-2) issued by Liberian-approved medical practitioners

In addition, all Liberian issued documents which do not have the new QR code can still be verified through the Seafarer Search Tool.

Electronic documents will be available to individual seafarers on their mobile devices through SEA360. Each document can be verified by scanning the QR code within the application, which directs users to the Seafarer Certification Verification page.

 3. APPLICABILITY

Effective 23 April 2026, Certificates of Receipt of Application (CRAs) issued via the SEA System within the Seafarer Portal will include embedded QR codes for verification purposes. Scanning the QR Code will direct the user to a verification page on the LISCR website confirming the validity of the CRA. This verification page is separate from the Seafarers Search Tool, which may only be used to verify Liberian seafarer credentials. CRAs containing embedded QR codes will be available to authorized Liberian filing agents through the SEA System tab in the Seafarer Portal. CRAs without a QR code may still be in circulation and can be verified by contacting this office directly.

For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Liberia’s Seafarers Certification and Documentation Department at: Seafarers@liscr.com

Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels

Action Date: Immediate

 1. SCOPE & PURPOSE

This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about the issuance of Marine Operations Note 03/2026 by the Liberian Registry. This Marine Operations Note informs all shipowners, ship management companies, manning and crewing agents and authorized Liberian filing agents of enhancements to Certificates of Receipt of Application (CRA), as previously outlined in Marine Operations Note 05/2024 dated 26th November 2024.

2. BACKGROUND

Certificates of Receipt of Application (CRA) are provided to seafarers whose applications are being processed to allow them to perform their duties on the rank/rating described on the CRA.

 3. APPLICABILITY

Effective 23 April 2026, Certificates of Receipt of Application (CRAs) issued via the SEA System within the Seafarer Portal will include embedded QR codes for verification purposes. Scanning the QR Code will direct the user to a verification page on the LISCR website confirming the validity of the CRA. This verification page is separate from the Seafarers Search Tool, which may only be used to verify Liberian seafarer credentials. CRAs containing embedded QR codes will be available to authorized Liberian filing agents through the SEA System tab in the Seafarer Portal. CRAs without a QR code may still be in circulation and can be verified by contacting this office directly.

For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Liberia’s Seafarers Certification and Documentation Department at: Seafarers@liscr.com

Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels

Action Date: Immediate

 1. SCOPE & PURPOSE

This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about the issuance of Marine Advisory 08/2026 by the Liberian Registry. This Marine Advisory provides guidance to shipowners, operators, recognized organizations, masters and crew for the safe operation of the ship, equipment, systems and machinery when operating/navigating in cold weather and low temperatures, following detention of a ship due to frozen pipes and damaged solenoid valve of the fixed local application fire-extinguishing system.

 2. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

1. SOLAS Chapter I, Regulation 11(a)
2. SOLAS Chapter II-2, regulation 14.2
3. SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 20.2
4. SOLAS Chapter IX and the ISM Code

For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Liberia’s Regulations and Standards Department at Regsandstandards@liscr.com

Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels

Action Date: Immediate

 1. SCOPE & PURPOSE

 This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about the MMC-176 reviewed by PMA and recirculated to users of Panama flag.

The purpose of this Merchant Marine Circular (MMC-176) establishes the mandatory policy for the implementation of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, in strict alignment with International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines. It provides a standardized framework for additional verifications to ensure that safety management systems are not merely documented, but are active and effective in identifying hazards and reducing risks to a level that is As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP). Furthermore, it serves as a critical reminder to all stakeholders of their responsibility to maintain a proactive safety culture to achieve the Code’s objectives of maritime safety and pollution prevention.”

2. BACKROUND

The International Safety Management (ISM) Code was adopted by the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on 4 November 1993 through Resolution A.741 (18). It aims to foster the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention. The 1994 Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, included a new chapter "CHAPTER IX" - Management for the safe operation of ships, making the application of the Code mandatory to ships, regardless of the date of construction.

 For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Panama’s Registry at segumar.headoffice@segumar.com

Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels

Action Date: Immediate

Dear All,

This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about the issuance of MCI Circular 341/2026 by the Cook Islands Ship Registry.

Summary

Maritime Cook Islands would like to disseminate the key findings and lessons learned, as a result of the investigation on the EAGLE S accident and in light of the Final Investigation Report “M/T EAGLE S – Loss of anchor and damages to underwater cables, 25th December 2024 – Baltic Sea off Helsinki (Finland)” issued on 27 February 2026.

Maritime Cook Islands would like to highlight that the investigation report’s conclusions confirm that the event was not the result of an intentional act, but rather the consequence of a combination of technical deterioration and operational factors.

The investigation identified a progressive failure of the anchor securing system, compounded by gaps in maintenance, operational practices and oversight, which ultimately allowed the incident to develop and remain undetected for several hours.

Maritime Cook Islands would like to take the elements contained in the Safety Circular below to the attention of all interested stakeholders, with particular focus for management companies and Classification Societies.

For the full text please follow the link bellow.

• MCICircular 341/2026

For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr. or the Regulatory, Technical & Operations Department of Cook Island at technical@maritimecookislands.com.

Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels

Action Date: Immediate

Dear All,

This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about the issuance of Marine Advisory 07/26 by the Liberian Registry. The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to reinforce mandatory safety requirements and operational controls related to electrical hazards aboard Liberian-flagged vessels, with particular emphasis on the use, handling, relocation, and isolation of portable electrical equipment.

Recent very serious marine casualties involving fatal electrocution demonstrate that routine shipboard activities can present significant electrical risks when energized equipment is handled without adequate isolation, inspection, task-specific risk assessment, supervision, or appropriate safeguards.

This Advisory summarizes:

• Required Regulatory and Safety Management System (SMS) obligations
• Common deficiencies identified during casualty investigations
• Lessons learned from electrocution incidents
• Mandatory actions to prevent recurrence

This Advisory does not address investigation procedures, evidence collection, or reporting steps beyond basic regulatory obligations.

For the full text please follow the link bellow.

• Marine Advisory: 07/2026

For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr. or LISCR’s Investigations Department at investigations@liscr.com.

Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels

Action Date: Immediate

Dear All,

This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties the mandatory implementation of IMO Resolution MSC.560(108), adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) on 23 May 2024, which introduces amendments to Part A of the Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code concerning Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR).

Background

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its 108th session, adopted Resolution MSC.560(108) introducing amendments to Chapter VI of Part A of the STCW Code relating to emergency, occupational safety, security, medical care and survival functions.

The amendments fully replace Table A-VI/1-4 – Specification of minimum standards of competence in Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR).

For the full text please follow the link bellow.

• Marine Circular Nr. 02/2026

For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr. or G-B I.S.R. / Seafarers Certification (STCW) Division at stcw1@gbi-lb.org

Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels

Action Date: Immediate

Dear All,

This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about the issuance of MCI Circular 340/2026 by the Maritime Cook Islands which provides the Maritime Cook Islands’ policies for implementing the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (“Polar Code” or the “Code”), which entered into force on 1 January 2017.

This Circular supersedes MCI Circ. 153/2017.

The Applicability section has been revised to incorporate recent amendments to the Polar Code and associated amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter XIV. They expand the Polar Code’s applicability to certain non-SOLAS vessels and take effect from 1 January 2026. Additionally, s 4.2 has been updated to clarify the application provisions of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex I, Regulation 43A concerning the Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) use and carriage prohibition in Arctic waters.

For the full text please follow the link bellow.

• MCI Circular 340/2026

For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr. or Maritime Cook Island’s Technical Department at technical@maritimecookislands.com

PHRS Head Office – April 03, 2026

Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels

Action Date: Immediate

This Newsletter aims to inform all ship-owners, operators and Masters of vessels about the Top 20 detainable deficiencies identified by the Liberian Registry for March 2026, based on recent Port State Control (PSC) statistics, and to enhance awareness on common root causes, preventive measures, and survey focus areas.

The most frequently identified detainable deficiencies (with codes) include:

1. Auxiliary engine –13102
2. Propulsion main engine–13101
3. Maintenance of the ship and equipment – 15109
4. Gauges, thermometers etc. –13103
5. Lifeboats –11101
6. Nautical publications –10116
7. Fire-dampers –7115
8. Firefighting equipment and appliances – 7110
9. ISM – 15150
10. Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions – 7105
11. Emergency source of power - Emergency generator – 4114
12. Ventilators, air pipes , casing –3108
13. Oil accumulation in engine room – 7126
14. Emergency lighting, batteries and switches – 4103
15. Rescue boats – 11104
16. Fire pumps and its pipes – 7113
17. Fixed fire extinguishing installation –7109
18. Decks- corrosion –2117
19. Steering gear –2105
20. Magnetic compass –10105

Common Root Causes of PSC Detentions

PSC inspections indicate that detainable deficiencies often arise from:

• Inadequate maintenance or testing of safety-critical equipment;
• Lack of effective onboard verification prior to arrival at port;
• Insufficient crew familiarization and training, particularly for emergency duties;
• Incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated documentation and records.

Recommendations to Ship-owners and Operators

To reduce the risk of PSC detention, ship-owners and operators should be strongly encouraged to:

• Conduct pre-arrival internal checks, focusing on:
  • Fire safety systems
  • Life-Saving Appliances (LSA)
  • ISM implementation
  • Pollution prevention equipment
• Ensure all safety and emergency equipment is operational, tested, and readily available;
• Verify that crew are familiar with emergency duties and ship-specific procedures;
• Review and update statutory certificates, logs, and records prior to port entry;
• Pay particular attention to recurring PSC deficiency areas highlighted in this Circular and in PHRS PSC bulletins.

As a recognized organization, PHRS will continue to:

• Monitor PSC trends affecting ships classed and/or certified by PHRS;
• Share relevant information for awareness and preventive purposes through Technical Circulars, Newsletters, and PSC Bulletins;
• Support ship-owners and operators through technical guidance, clarification, and proactive engagement.

For more information, please contact us at technical@phrs.gr

Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels

Action Date: Immediate

Dear All,

This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about the Marine Advisory: 06/2026 issued by the Liberian Registry.

This Advisory is issued to assist Liberian-flag vessels and their operators in strengthening shipboard/terminal coordination and risk controls when any vessel, barge, or service craft is positioned alongside a container vessel during active cargo operations, and to reduce the likelihood of injuries, damages, and Port State Control (PSC) deficiencies.

Key Requirements from the China MSA Guidelines

•     Strengthened Work Safety Responsibility System

•     Enhanced Dual Prevention Mechanisms

•     Voyage Safety Risk Assessment System

•     “Dual-Verification” for High-Risk Operations

•     Strengthened Duty, Watchkeeping, and Monitoring

•     Major Safety Risk Control (Collisions, Weather, Dangerous Cargo, Passenger Ships)

•     Emergency Preparedness and Drills

•     Training, Competence & Crew Management

For the full text please follow the link bellow.

• Marine Advisory: 06/2026

For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Liberian Registry’s Fleet Performance Department at prevention@liscr.com.

PHRS Head Office – April 01, 2026