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

Action Date: 01 Jan. 2021

As already circulated from PhRS, European Union Regulation (EU) No 1257-2013 (EU SRR) on the Inventory of Hazardous Materials, Regulation will enter to force on January 1, 2021 and concerns the implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (hereinafter referred to as the HKC, 2009), mainly, its regulation 5 - Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM), to ships calling at a port or anchorage of any country of the European Union (EU), on or after January 1, 2021, as well as the issuance of the Statement of Compliance on Inventory of Hazardous Materials and Part I of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials.

Panama flag has published clarification on the application of the MMC-386 “Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) for ships calling at EU ports”.

As it is known, the IHM must be prepared by visual checking and sampling on board by the Hazmat Expert, nevertheless and considering the current international scenario, it couldn’t be made on site according the provisions of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 and EU SRR; whereby, this Administration has adopted measures aligned to the Guidelines issued by the EU (please refer to PhRS Newsletter NL 240/20 which is available here).

Pursuant to the EU guidelines and by virtue of MMC-386, a Conditional Statement of Compliance (SoC) on IHM, may be issued only in cases of semi-completed IHM (the IHM was prepared remotely without any onboard sampling by the Hazmat Expert), due to impossibility to get to the ship, because of the International restrictions imposed by many countries because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For those cases where the Hazmat Expert confirm unavailability for boarding the ship and confirm that the IHM has been prepared remotely, the Recognized organization (RO) acting on behalf of the Flag will request an authorization from Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) to issue a Conditional SoC on IHM, pending to be completed on board by the Hazmat Expert, valid for a period no longer than 90 days.

Under no circumstances the validity of the Conditional SoC granted, will exceed June 30, 2021 and it will be subject to fees stated in our MMC-324.

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.

December 14^th, 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 implementation of additional assessment requirements in order to decrease the detention numbers of vessels calling in the United States of America (U.S) ports that may be subject to Port State Control (PSC) inspections.

More specifically, USCG has implemented an initiative called QUALSHIP 21 through which high-quality vessels should be recognized and rewarded for their commitment to safety and quality. Therefore, a checklist has been issued by PMA with the purpose of assisting ship-owners, operators, technical managers, Designated Persons Ashore (DPA) and vessels’ masters to identify weak items that can result as a ground for detention through Port State Control Inspections by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The U.S. Pre-ports arrival checklist for Panama flagged vessels can be found here.

Merchant Marine Circular 381 can be found here, in full detail.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information you may need on the above.

November 19^th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office

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

Action Date: 31 December 2020

According to the EU’s Regulation (EU) 1257/2013 on Ship Recycling Regulation (SRR), by 31 December 2020, any ship on or over 500 GT, of any flag, calling at an EU port or anchorage, will need to have onboard:

1. An ‘Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM)’ (IHM Part-I) compliant with the above-mentioned standards; and
2. A Statement of Compliance (SoC) issued on behalf of the flag State of the ship.

The purpose of subject newsletter is to inform all interested parties that PHOENIX REGISTER OF SHIPPING S.A. has been authorized by the Flag Administrations for which acts as Recognized Organization (RO), such as Panama, Comoros, Palau, Sierra Leone, St. Kitts and Nevis, Belize, Cook Islands, Honduras, etc. among others, to conduct the required tasks:

• IHM Part 1verification, and
• issue the relevant Statement of Compliance (SoC) one behalf of the Flag Administration of the ship

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information you may need on the above.

November 18^th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office

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

Action Date: Immediate

Ships are increasingly using systems that rely on 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,

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

November 12^th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office

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

Action Date: Immediate

We are very pleased to announce that PHOENIX REGISTER OF SHIPPING S.A.is now authorized by the Maritime Authority of Honduras in order to perform surveys and issue statutory certificates for all vessels flying the Honduran Flag.

This recognition is the latest addition to our list of authorizations, highlighting our continuous and steady developmental course over the years, making PHRS stand out as one of the leading non IACS Classification Societies globally and thus allowing our Society to continue providing high quality services, striving for the safety of the marine environment and the protection of human life at sea.

 Do not hesitate to contact us for more information you may need on the above.

April 29^th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office

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 2^nd, 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 23^rd, 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 1^st until December 31^st 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 1^st 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 21^st, 2020 - PHRS Head Office

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 20^th, 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 9^th, 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 19^th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office