The Resolution MSC.273(85) relating to amendments to the International Management Code for the safe operation of ships and for pollution prevention (International Safety Management (ISM) Code), adopted at IMO MSC85 held from 26 November 2008 to 5 December 2008, will enter into force on 1 July 2010. A copy of the Resolution is attached for your reference.

The main points of the amendments are as follows.

1. Requirement that the Company should carry out internal safety audits on board and ashore at intervals not exceeding 12 months (may be exceeded by not more than 3 months in exceptional circumstances) has been introduced into the revised paragraph 12.1.
2. Provision that when the renewal verification is completed after the expiry date of the existing Safety Management Certificate, the new Safety Management Certificate should be valid from the date of completion of the renewal verification to a date not exceeding five years from the date of expiry of the existing Safety Management Certificate has been introduced into the new paragraph 13.12.
3. Provision that if a ship at the time when a Safety Management Certificate expires is not in a port in which it is to be verified, the Administration may extend the period of validity of the Safety Management Certificate not exceeding three months only for the purpose of allowing the ship to complete its voyage to the port in which it is to be verified has been introduced into the new paragraph 13.14.


For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
Safety Management Systems Department, Information Center, Head Office
Address: 1-8-5, Ohnodai, Midori-ku, Chiba 267-0056, Japan
Tel: +81-43-294-5999
Fax: +81-43-294-7206
E-mail: smd@classnk.or.jp


Attachment:
1. Resolution MSC.273(85)