IMO BWM Convention to enter into force in 2017

International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM) Convention adopted on 13th February 2004, aims to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms from one region to another, by establishing standards and procedures for the management and control of ships' ballast water and sediments.

Invasive aquatic species present a major threat to the marine ecosystems, and shipping has been identified as a major pathway for introducing species to new environments. The problem increased as trade and traffic volume expanded over the last few decades and in particular with the introduction of steel hulls, allowing vessels to use water instead of solid materials as ballast. The effects of the introduction of new species have in many areas of the world been devastating. Quantitative data show the rate of bio-invasions is continuing to increase at an alarming rate. As the volumes of seaborne trade continue overall to increase, the problem may not yet have reached its peak.

Under the Convention, all ships in International traffic are required to manage their ballast water and sediments to a certain standard, according to a ship specific ballast water management plan. All ships will also have to carry a ballast water record book and an international ballast water management certificate. The ballast water management standards will be phased in over a period of time. As an intermediate solution, ships should exchange ballast water mid-ocean. However, eventually most ships will need to install an on-board ballast water treatment system.

As on 7th Sept 2016, 51 States have ratified the BWMC, the combined merchant fleets of which represent 34.87% of the world’s combined merchant shipping gross tonnage. In order for the criteria to be met and the BWMC to come into force 12 months later, ratification is required by not less than 30 States, the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 35% of the world’s combined merchant shipping gross tonnage.

Her Excellency Mrs. Päivi Luostarinen Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Finland to IMO, handed over the country’s instrument of acceptance to the Ballast Water Management Convention to IMO Secretary-General Lim on 8th September 2016.

The accession brings the combined tonnage of contracting States to the treaty to 35.1441%, with 52 contracting Parties. The convention stipulates that it will enter into force 12 months after ratification by a minimum of 30 States, representing 35% of world merchant shipping tonnage. Therefore the BWM Convention will enter on force on 8^th Sept 2017.

IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim said the signing was a “truly significant milestone for the health of our planet”.

Panama authorities has announced that it has begun the process of accession to the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention early in this year and Panama also looks likely to ratify the BWMC within the next few months.

Source: IMO

Validity of Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate Extended to Life of the Person Vaccinated

Yellow Fever vaccine is a vaccine that protects against Yellow Fever. Yellow Fever is a viral infection that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas in Africa and South America. Yellow Fever vaccines approved by WHO provide protection against infection starting 10 days following the administration of the vaccine. The purpose of this vaccination is to prevent the International spread of the disease and to protect individual travellers who may be exposed to yellow fever infection. The vaccine can be used to control outbreaks of disease. 

A yellow fever certificate issued after the vaccination and it becomes valid 10 days after the date of initial yellow fever vaccination, or immediately after a yellow fever vaccination booster dose as long as the previous dose was within the last 10 years and the previous certificate can be checked for authenticity.     

Annex 7 of International Health Regulation (IHR) 2005 contains the regulations about Yellow Fever. Yellow fever is the only disease specified in the IHR 2005 for which countries may require proof of vaccination from travellers as a condition of entry under certain circumstances and may take certain measures if an arriving traveller is not in possession of such a certificate.

According to WHO, the 'Yellow Fever Booster Vaccination' given ten years after the initial vaccination is not necessary. Based on research findings of WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization in 2014, a single dose of Yellow Fever Vaccination confers life long protection and on the same year 67th World Health Assembly adopted a resolution WHA 67.13 (2014) to update and amend the annex 7 of the IHR 2005.  

The new amendment to annex 7 of IHR 2005 entered in to force on 11th July 2016. In the context of International travel, the amendment to Annex 7 of IHR 2005 changes the period of validity of the 'Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate' and the protection provided by vaccination against yellow fever infection under the IHR 2005 from ten (10) years to the life of the person vaccinated. Accordingly, as of 11th July 2016, for both existing or new certificates, revaccination or a booster dose of yellow fever vaccine cannot be required of International Travellers as a condition of entry into a State Party, regardless of the date their International Yellow Fever Certificate of Vaccination was initially issued. This Lifetime validity of these certificates applies automatically to certificates issued after 11th July 2016 as well as certificates already issued.

The full texts of amended IHR 2005 Annex 7, list of all WHO Member States as of 11 July 2016 and Q&A on the Extension to Life for Yellow Fever Vaccination are available at www.who.int/ith.

Enclosed Space Ship Safety Rule enters into force on 1st July 2016

The Maritime Safety Committee of IMO, at its 93rd session in May 2014, approved the new draft SOLAS regulation XI-1/7 “Atmosphere testing instrument for enclosed spaces”, which entered into force on 1st July 2016. 

The aim of this new regulation is to protect the Seafarers who need to enter enclosed spaces, by requiring all SOLAS vessels to carry instrument(s) that detects gases in addition to oxygen and have a suitable means of testing them all.

As per MSC.1/Circ.1477, the portable atmosphere testing instrument(s), should be capable of measuring and displaying concentrations of oxygen, flammable gases or vapours, hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide, prior to entry into enclosed spaces. The regulation also requires that the instrument(s) should clearly and unambiguously show which gas or vapour it is measuring and if the instrument is fitted with an alarm function, it should activate at the appropriate level as determined by the flag State Administration.

Many ships are already in compliance with the guidelines of this regulation either due to other regulatory or operational requirements or simply to confirm with IMO recommendations. Owners / Management / Senior officer(s) should ensure that all persons with enclosed space entry responsibilities are made fully familiar with the content of IMO Resolution A.1050 (27) of 2011 “Revised Recommendations for Entering Enclosed Spaces on Board Ships”. The objective of these recommendations is to encourage the adoption of safety procedures aimed at preventing casualties to ships' personnel entering enclosed spaces where there may be an oxygen-deficient, oxygen-enriched, flammable and/or toxic atmosphere. The contents of these circulars shall be discussed among the seafarer during bimonthly mandatory enclosed space entry and rescue drills.

REMEMBER ENCLOSED SPACE CAN KILL. 

NEVER ENTER AN ENCLOSED SPACE UNLESS YOU REALLY NEED TO.

 Note: Refer www.imo.org and IMO Resolution A.1050 & MSC.1Circ.1477 for more info.