IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee Focuses on Crew Welfare and Safety Management

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is intensifying its efforts to ensure the safe management and operation of ships worldwide, with a renewed emphasis on seafarer welfare. The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee, during its 110th session in London, focused on enhancing compliance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code to address issues such as work and rest hours, fatigue, and violence and harassment on ships.

Strengthening ISM Code Implementation

The Committee agreed to revise the IMO guidelines on implementing the ISM Code to improve its enforcement and address identified gaps in its application. This revision will be conducted over three years in collaboration with relevant sub-committees, with a specific focus on enhancing compliance and enforcement mechanisms.

Addressing Violence and Harassment on Ships

The revised guidelines will also incorporate recommendations to prevent and address violence and harassment on board ships, including sexual harassment, bullying, and sexual assault. Key measures include implementing policies in safety management systems, ensuring compliance with national laws, assigning clear responsibilities, and providing training for seafarers and shoreside personnel.

Hours of Work and Rest

The Committee prioritized addressing fatigue and hours of work and rest to protect seafarers’ well-being. A scoping exercise of legal instruments related to this issue will be conducted, with a focus on analyzing and enhancing existing provisions to maintain a balance between workload and crewing levels.

Other MSC Outcomes

Aside from seafarer matters, the Maritime Safety Committee made significant progress in various areas, including:

• Towards regulating autonomous ships: Finalizing chapters of the Code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) and updating the Road Map for its development.
• GHG fuel safety regime: Developing safety regulations for ships using new technologies and alternative fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Maritime security: Adopting a resolution to enhance maritime safety and security through information-sharing.
• Cybersecurity: Endorsing the development of a cybersecurity Code to address cybersecurity threats in the maritime sector.
• Pilot transfer arrangements: Strengthening safety requirements for pilot transfer arrangements to enhance safety measures.

The IMO’s focus on crew welfare and safety management underscores its commitment to safeguarding seafarers and promoting a culture of safety and compliance in the maritime industry.