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:
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,
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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:
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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).
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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.
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May 26th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office
Paris MoU RO Performance Evaluation List
Paris MoU RO Performance Report was published on July 3rd, with PHOENIX REGISTER OF SHIPPING scoring on the top of the Medium Performance rank, as the leading Non-IACS Classification Society, with an impressive excess factor of 0.03.
This comes as a result of hard and systematic team work over the years and and shows our commitment to high quality services.
These results act as a factual demonstration for the safety & quality of the PHRS classed fleet therefore ship owners and managers may rest assured that PHRS is a reliable and effective link in the process chain of their fleet operation across the globe.
Click here for the 2019 Performance Lists as published by Paris MoU.
Refers to: Owners/Operators/Managers of Belizean flagged vessels, PHRS Representatives/ Surveyors
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 the Technical Department of the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE) due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) causing complications for the regular shipping operation, traveling restrictions and the fast spread extended to several countries, IMMARBE’s Technical Department has decided to take temporary measures related to Implementation and Enforcement of IMO Instruments due to force majeure.
Similarly, IMMARBE has already developed a contingency plan, ready to be implemented at any time, in order to allow us to continue our normal operations uninterrupted under any situation, while placing health and safety as a top priority.
Please click here for the full version of the Merchant Marine Notice MMN-20-002 Technical Department Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Temporary Measures.
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April 7th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office
Refers to: Owners/Operators/Managers, PHRS Representatives/ Surveyors
Action Date: Immediate
The Authorities of the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU have agreed to adopt Temporary Guidance for dealing with the circumstances aiming to counteract on the COVID-19 crisis which the international shipping industry is facing.
The guidance recognizes that there is a need to apply flexibility under these special circumstances taking into account the importance to protect the health and safety of the Port State Control Officers and also the seafarers on the ships.
The temporary guidance sets out parameters for the adoption of a pragmatic approach to be taken in the regions.
Therefore the Port State Control in the Paris and Tokyo MOU regions shall consider the below listed issues on a case-by-case basis for period up to three months :
In the same spirit, PHRS works together with all MoU authorities and with the Flag Administrations having recognized PHRS as a Recognized Organization to assist on the implementation of measures and providing uninterrupted survey and certification services focusing on the health and safety of the seafarers, the safety of the personnel involved with surveys aboard ships and contributing to the containment of COVID-19 as much as possible.
For more details on the extend of measures to be taken, you may find the relevant Press Releases of Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU accordingly by clicking the links below:
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April 6th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office
Within the frame of the critical situation being experienced worldwide due to COVID-19 and taking into account the safety and health of the survey staff, the clients and the difficulties arising due to the restrictions and measures imposed,PHRS implements a ship remote survey scheme (SRSS), for facilitating the survey processes and preventing the occurrence of potential disease incidents. The SRSS may also apply in the occurrence of other crisis situations, which might cause business disruption as well as for the facilitation of inspection processes’ handling, as the case may be. Nevertheless, the SRSS implementation lies on PHRS Head Office decision. The consent of the responsible Flag Administration involved is required as well, in case of ships' statutory surveys.
For the scope of subject SRSS the following definitions apply:
The SRSS applies to the following cases:
Also the following requirements apply:
Survey means and collection/delivery of survey information
Survey procedure
The process and conclusion of remote survey are to be recorded in the ship log upon completion of survey and the applicant is to provide required electronic documents to the surveyor and additional requirements of the surveyor (if any).
After the surveyor verifies that the applicable documents provided by the applicant are correct and valid, relevant certificates and/or reports are to be issued/endorsed according to the requirements of PHRS procedures and instructions.
Refers to: Owners/Operators/Managers of Panamanian flagged vessels, PHRS Representatives/ Surveyors
Action Date: Immediate
The purpose of subject newsletter is to inform all vessels owners/operators and interested parties about the modifications made on paragraphs 1, 2, 9 of MMN02/2020 and the inclusion of paragraph 10 regarding an update of the situation on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
Through the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Situation Report, the World Health Organization (WHO), has declared the outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern. It is still possible to interrupt the virus spread, with the proper implementation of measures to control this outbreak. That is why PMA recommends to monitor the situation by continuously consulting advisors and situation reports issued by the WHO.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) based on the recommendations developed by the WHO, on the precautions to be taken to minimize the risk crews, seafarers, passengers and other persons onboard ships from the novel coronavirus, has issued circular letters providing information and guidance.
The latest IMO Circular Letter No. 4204, which can be found here , provides the WHO advises, reminding people of the basic principles to reduce the general risk of transmission of acute respiratory infection and urge all interested parties (companies, ship managers, crewing agents, shipping agencies, etc.) to publish the information and ensure that crews, seafarers, passengers and others onboard ships are provided with accurate and relevant information on the coronavirus outbreak and on the measures to reduce the risk of exposure if they are likely to be engaged on ships trading to and from ports in coronavirus affected areas.
In view of the above mentioned, the Panama Maritime Authority recommends to implement the following measures on board ships:
1. Seafarers calling at worldwide ports are advised to wear masks and take precautionary measures to avoid getting infected with a new coronavirus and prevent its potential spreading.
2. When entering worldwide ports, seafarers are expected to remain onboard their ships and disembark their vessels only when it is absolutely necessary.
3. In case of any suspected case of coronavirus is found onboard, the ship it should reported to the local authorities and owners immediately and arranges to seek professional medical assistance from ashore for the affected crewmember /s as early as possible.
4. At the same time, proper prevention and separation measures should be taken to avoid contact with other crewmembers to reduce the possibility of any virus being spread. F-410 (DCCM) V.00
5. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing on board or ashore.
6. Strictly enforce the ISPS requirements on ensuring that unauthorized personnel do not board the ship throughout the ships port calls.
7. Frequent hand washing.
8. Shipping agencies in Panama, must inform the Ministry of Health (MINSA) and Harbor Master (captaincy of ports) if any crew member or passenger is reported with any of the symptoms of the corona virus and must coordinate with local health authorities.
9. In those cases where an ISPS verification (interim, initial, intermediate, renewal and additional audits cannot be performed due to the situation of COVID-19 worldwide the operator company/owner/ or Recognized Security Organization may request an authorization, to postpone the ISPS verification, according to the MMC-359 (item 10). 10. From March 23 until next Friday, March 27, the Security Level of Panamanian Port will be raised to the Ports of Colon Container Terminal (CCT), Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) and Cristobal Ports, from NP1 to NP2. This Administration encourages all the operator companies; implement the security measures on board in accordance with the provisions of the Ship Security Plan (SSP).
We recommend monitoring the situation by consulting webpages maintained by the WHO and other public health authorities and evaluate the risks present in the next port of call.
WHO-website: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
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March 26th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office
Refers to: Owners/Operators/Managers of all ships over 5.000 GT, PHRS Representatives/ Surveyors
Action Date: Immediate
According to the European Regulation (EU) 2015/757 for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of Carbon Dioxide emissions for Shipping (EU-MRV), every ship equal to or greater than 5000 GT which has a commercial operation and calls to a European port, is obliged to monitor and report to the EU commission and to the ship’ Flag Administration a series of relevant data on to its CO2 emissions.
The annual emissions report for the reporting period 2019 must be submitted to a verifier for verification. The verified EU-MRV emissions reports of the applicable ships are then uploaded to the THETIS-MRV system operated by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
Similarly, ship-owners and operators should submit their fuel oil consumption data to a Recognized Organisation nominated by the flag (PHRS), from 2020, in accordance to the approved Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) Part II (IMO DCS (Data Collection System) ).
For both requirements, the reported data should be supplemented by the appropriate supporting documentation to enable the smooth/prompt verification work.
It is strongly recommended that both IMO DCS & EU MRV submissions to be made as soon as possible (till end of April 2020) to provide sufficient time for their review and corrections, if any.
By June 2020, all applicable vessels are required to have on board a “Statement of Compliance”, issued by the respective verifier/recognized organization that verified the data.
For more information about both regulations, please visit PHRS website.
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March 10th, 2020 - PHRS Head Office