Digitalization, big data, and new technologies such as artificial intelligence are key in enabling the post-COVID recovery, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim told a webinar (28 July) on Digital Connectivity and Data Standards. He highlighted IMO’s key role in ensuring shipping can embrace the digital revolution – while ensuring safety, environmental protection as well as cyber security. “Digitalization and new technologies will also be the key to allowing standardization and therefore enhancing the efficiency of shipping,” Mr. Lim said. The need for standardization was also highlighted by IMO’s Facilitation Head, Julian Abril, who noted the mandatory requirement for electronic data exchange in the Facilitation Convention, effective since April 2019. Discussions are currently underway towards making a single maritime window mandatory – so that all data for arrival and departure of ships is submitted through a single point and transmitted to the relevant agencies involved. More information: IMO News

ABS has developed detailed practical guidance to assist offshore operators navigating Brazil’s unique regulatory environment. “Practical Considerations for Regulatory Compliance in Brazil” is designed to help floating production installations operating in Brazilian Jurisdictional Waters comply with a series of requirements that are specific and set forth by multiple local agencies. “Practical Considerations for Regulatory Compliance in Brazil” will be made available to support ABS FPSO clients from the early stages of design. The ABS BRZ and BRZ+ notations provide shipyards, construction yards, designers, owners and operators with a design and construction-focused approach to help achieve compliance with domestic regulations for FPSOs and FPUs operating in Brazilian Jurisdictional Waters.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down, our team is ready to work. We have been of great support to our clients, colleagues and business partners during this crisis. Albion Marine has successfully completed 3D Scan and started designing scope for BWTS retrofit for a vessel belonging to one of the leading shipping companies in Qatar.

A number of MOUs on port state control (PSC) carried out a joint concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) in 2019 focusing on readiness of ship and crew in an emergency. Gard’s alert of 29 July 2019  provides background information on the campaign as well as a copy of the tailored questionnaire used by attending PSC officers. Operators and masters are advised to take note of the below PSC CIC results and make sure their ships’ muster lists are up to date and meet the requirements of SOLAS Reg.III/8 and Reg.III/37 by providing sufficiently detailed instructions for crews to respond effectively in a real emergency. On ships with significant numbers of non-English speaking crew members, the muster list should also include translations into the appropriate language or languages. Furthermore, masters should bear in mind that there is no substitute for onboard training and drills - everybody onboard must be familiar with the procedures to be followed, their duties and equipment to be used in an emergency. More information: Gard