IMO Resolutions & Circulars

IMO resolutions and circulars related to Ship Security Management Systems (ISPS) are listed by topic.

1. AIS2 items

Document No.	Title	Date
Resolution A.1106(29)	Revised Guidelines for the onboard operational use of shipborne automatic identification systems (AIS)	14 Dec 2015
MSC.1/Circ.1576	Unified interpretation of the provision of SOLAS relating to the annual testing of the VDR, S-VDR, AIS and EPIRB	16 Jun 2017

2. Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR)2 items

Document No.	Title	Date
Resolution A.959(23)	Format and guidelines for the maintenance of the Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR)	5 Dec 2003
Resolution MSC.198(80)	Adoption of amendments to the Format and guidelines for the maintenance of the Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) (resolution A/.959(23)	20 May 2005

3. Control and Compliance Measures4 items

Document No.	Title	Date
STCW.7/Circ.22	Advice for port State control officers, recognized organizations and recognized security organized security organizations clarifying training and certification requirements for ship security officers and seafarers with designated security duties	25 Feb 2014
STCW.7/Circ.21	Advice for port State control officers, recognized organizations and reorganizations and recognized security organizations on action to be taken in cases where seafarers do not carry certification required in accordance with regulation VI/6 of the STCW Convention and section A-VI/6, paragraphs 4 and 6 of the STCW Code after 1 January 2014	25 Feb 2014
MSC/Circ.1113	Guidance to port State control officers on the non-security related elements of the 2002 SOLAS amendments	7 Jun 2004
MSC/Circ.1191	Future reminder of the obligation to notify flag States when exercising control and compliance measures	30 May 2006

4. Cyber Security3 items

Document No.	Title	Date
MSC 101/4/4	Cyber risk management in safety management systems	26 Mar 2019
MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3 Rev.1	Guidelines on maritime cyber risk management	14 Jun 2021
Resolution MSC.428(98)	Maritime cyber risk management in safety management systems	16 Jun 2017

5. Drug Smuggling2 items

Document No.	Title	Date
Resolution A.985(24)/Rev.1	Revision of the guidelines for the prevention and suppression of the smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals on ships engaged in international maritime traffic (resolution A.872(20))	1 Dec 2005
Resolution FAL.9(34)	Revised guidelines for the prevention and suppression the smuggling of drug, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals on ships engaged in international maritime traffic	30 May 2007

6. Facilitating secure trade1 items

Document No.	Title	Date
MSC-FAL.1/Circ.1	Securing and facilitating international trade	21 Oct 2007

7. LRIT16 items

Document No.	Title	Date
Resolution MSC.263(84)	Revised performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of ships	16 May 2008
Resolution MSC.210(81)	Performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of ships	19 May 2006
Resolution MSC.211(81)	Arrangements for the timely establishment of the long-range identification and tracking system	19 May 2006
Resolution MSC.242(83)	Use of the long-range identification and tracking information for maritime safety and marine environment protection purposes	12 Oct 2007
Resolution MSC.243(83)	Establishment of international LRIT data exchange on an interim basis	12 Oct 2007
Resolution MSC.254(83)	Adoption of amendments to the Performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of ships	12 Oct 2007
Resolution MSC.298(87)	Establishment of a distribution facility for the provision of LRIT information to security forces operating in waters of the Gulf of The Aden and the western Indian Ocean to aid their work in the repression of piracy and armed robbery against ships (the distribution facility)	21 May 2010
MSC.1/Circ.1259/Rev.3	Long-range identification and tracking system - Technical documentation (Part I)	21 May 2010
MSC.1/Circ.1294/Rev.2	Long-range identification and tracking system - Technical documentation (Part II)	15 Feb 2011
MSC.1/Circ.1295	Guidance in relation to certain types of ships which are required to transmit LRIT information, on exemptions and equivalents and on certain operational matters	8 Dec 2008
MSC.1/Circ.1298	Guidance on the implementation of the LIRIT system	8 Dec 2008
MSC.1/Circ.1307	Guidance on the survey and certification of compliance of ships with the requirement to transmit LRIT information	9 Jun 2009
MSC.1/Circ.1308	Guidance to search and rescue services in relation to requesting and receiving LRIT information	9 Jun 2009
MSC.1/Circ.1376	Continuity of service plan for the LRIT system	3 Dec 2010
MSC.1/Circ.1377	List of application service providers authorized to conduct conformance tests and issue LRIT conformance test reports on behalf of Administrations	6 Dec 2010
MSC 86/INF.16	LRIT Data Distribution plan - Accessing and entering information - Guidance notes for Contracting Governments and Developmental and integration testing - Guidance notes for LRIT Data Centres	26 May 2009

8. Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs)1 items

Document No.	Title	Date
MSC/Circ.1073	Directives for Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs) on acts of violence against ships	10 Jun 2003

9. Maritime Security and GISIS2 items

Document No.	Title	Date
MSC.1/Circ.1603	Guidance for the electronic transfer of information into and from the Maritime Security Module GISIS	26 Jun 2019
Circular Letter No. 3338	Access to IMO GISIS Maritime Security Module and information required by SOLAS Contracting Governments under the provisions of SOLAS regulation XI-2/13 on Communication of information	18 Dec 2012

10. Maritime Security Legislation1 items

Document No.	Title	Date
MSC.1/Circ.1525	Guidance for the development of national maritime security legislation	1 Jun 2016

11. Maritime terrorism1 items

Document No.	Title	Date
Resolution A.924(22)	Review of measures and procedures to prevent acts of terrorism which threaten the security of passengers and crews and the safety of ships	22 Jan 2022

12. Non-SOLAS ships1 items

Document No.	Title	Date
MSC.1/Circ.1283	Non-mandatory guidelines on security aspects of the operation of vessels which do not fall within the scope of SOLAS chapter X1-2 and the ISPS Code	22 Dec 2008

13. Port Security2 items

Document No.	Title	Date
MSC/Circ.1106	Implementation of SOLAS chapter X1-2 and the ISPS Code to port facilities	29 Mar 2004
ILO/IMO Code of practice on security in ports	Code of practice on security in ports - Tripartite Meeting of Exports on Security, Safety and Health in Ports	24 Dec 2003

14. Recognized Security Organization1 items

Document No.	Title	Date
MSC/Circ.1074	Interim Guidance for the authorization of RSO's acting on behalf of the Administration and/or Designated Authority of a Contracting Government	10 Jun 2003

15. Security-related information1 items

Document No.	Title	Date
MSC.1/Circ.1305	Revised guidance to masters, companies and duly authorized officers on the requirements relating to the submission of security-related information prior to the entry of a ship into port	9 Jun 2009

16. Ship security alert system (SSAS)6 items

Document No.	Title	Date
Resolution MSC.136(76)	Performance standards for a ship security alert system	11 Dec 2002
Resolution MSC.147(77)	Adoption of the revised performance standards for a ship security alert system	29 May 2003
MSC/Circ.1072	Guidance on provision of ship security double alerts systems	26 Jun 2003
MSC/Circ.1109/Rev.1	False security alerts and distress/security double alerts	14 Dec 2004
MSC/Circ.1155	Guidance on the message priority and the testing of ship security alert systems	23 May 2005
MSC.1/Circ.1190	Guidance on the provision of information for identifying ships when transmitting ship security alerts	30 May 2006

17. Shore leave2 items

Document No.	Title	Date
Resolution A.1090(28)	Fair treatment of crew members in respect of shore leave and access to shore-side facilities	24 Jan 2014
MSC.1/Circ.1342	Reminder in connection with shore leave and access to ships	27 May 2010

18. SOLAS chapter X1-2 and the ISPS Code17 items

Document No.	Title	Date
MSC 101/4/1	The industry guidelines on cyber security on board ships, version 3	11 Mar 2019
MSC 101/4/2	Access to ports and vessels by ship suppliers	12 Mar 2019
MSC/Circ.1067	Early implementation of the special measures to enhance maritime security	28 Feb 2003
MSC/Circ.1097	Guidance relating to implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code	6 Jun 2003
Circular letter No.2514	Information required from SOLAS Contracting Governments under the previsions of SOLAS regulation XI-2/13	8 Dec 2003
MSC/Circ.1104	Implementation of SOLAS chapter X1-2 and the ISPS Code	15 Jan 2004
Circular letter No.2529	Information required from SOLAS Contracting Governments under the previsions of SOLAS regulation XI-2/13.1.1 on communication of a single national contact point	12 Feb 2004
MSC/Circ.1110	Matters related to SOLAS regulations XI-2/6 and XI-2/7	7 Jun 2004
MSC/Circ.1111	Guidance relating to the implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and of the ISPS Code	7 Jun 2004
MSC/Circ.1132	Guidance relating to the implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and of the ISPS Code	14 Dec 2004
Resolution MSC.194(80)	Adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the safety of Life at Sea, 1974 as amended	20 May 2005
Resolution MSC.196(80)	Adoption of amendments to the International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities (International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code)	20 May 2005
MSC/Circ.1156	Guidance on the access of public authorities, emergency response services and pilots on board ships to which SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code apply	23 May 2005
Resolution MSC.202(81)	Adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the safety of Life at Sea, 1974 as amended	19 May 2006
MSC.1/Circ.1194	Effective implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and ISPS Code	30 May 2006
SOLAS CONF 5-32	Consideration and adoption of Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,1974	12 Dec 2002
SOLAS CONF 5-34	Consideration and adoption of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISAPS) Code	5 May 2004

19. Special Purpose Ships2 items

Document No.	Title	Date
MSC/Circ.1157	Interim scheme for the compliance of certain cargo ships with the special measures to enhance maritime security	23 May 2005
MSC.1/Circ.1189	Interim scheme for the compliance of special purpose ships with the special measures to enhance maritime security	30 May 2006

20. Stowaways5 items

Document No.	Title	Date
Resolution MSC.312(88)	Revised guidelines on the prevention of access by stowaways and the allocation of responsibilities to seek the successful resolution of stowaway cases	3 Dec 2010
FAL.2/Circ.50/Rev.3	Information on stowaway incidents	7 Apr 2017
Resolution A.1027(26)	Application and revision of the guidelines on the allocation of responsibilities to seek the successful resolution of stowaway cases (resolution A.871(20)	2 Dec 2009
MSC/Circ.896/Rev.1	Interim measures for combating unsafe practices associated with the trafficking or transport of migrants by sea	12 Jun 2001
Resolution A.871(20)	Guidelines on the allocation of responsibilities to seek the successful resolution of stowaway cases	27 Nov 1997

21. SUA Treaties (International Conference on the revision) - Final Act2 items

Document No.	Title	Date
Protocol of 2005 to the Convention for the SUA	Protocol of 2005 to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation	1 Nov 2005
SUA Convention and 2005 Protocol Text	Convention for the suppression of unlawful acts of violence against the safety of maritime navigation(SUA Convention)	1 Nov 2005

22. Trafficking or transport of migrants by sea1 items

Document No.	Title	Date
MSC/Cir.896/Rev.1	Interim measures for combating unsafe practices associated with the trafficking or transport of migrants by sea	12 Jun 2001

23. Training of seafarers and port personnel11 items

Document No.	Title	Date
Resolution A.955(23)	Amendments to the Principles of safe manning (Resolution A.890(21))	5 Dec 2003
MSC/Circ.1154	Guideline on training and certification for company security officers	23 May 2005
Resolution MSC.203(81)	Adoption of amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended	18 May 2006
Resolution MSC.209(81)	Adoption of amendments to the Seafarer's' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code	18 May 2006
MSC.1/Circ.1188	Guidelines on training and certification for port facility security officers	22 May 2006
STCW.6/Circ.9	Amendments to part B of the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code	22 May 2006
MSC.1/Circ.1235	Guidelines on security-related training and familiarization for shipboard personnel	21 Oct 2007
MSC.1/Circ.1341	Guidelines on security-related training and familiarization for port facility personnel	27 May 2010
IMO Model Course 3.19	Ship security officer (Published in Book)
IMO Model Course 3.20	Company security officer (Published in Book)
IMO Model Course 3.21	Port facility security officer (Published in Book)

24. Unlawful acts3 items

Document No.	Title	Date
Resolution A.584(14)	Measures to prevent unlawful acts which threaten the safety of ships and the security of their passengers and crews	20 Nov 1985
MSC/Circ.443	Measures to prevent unlawful acts against passengers and crews on board ships	26 Sep 1986
MSC/Circ.754	Passenger ferry security	5 Jul 1996

25. Voluntary Self-Assessment3 items

Document No.	Title	Date
MSC.1/Circ.1192	Guidance on voluntary self-assessment by SOLAS Contracting Governments and by port facilities	30 May 2006
MSC.1/Circ.1193	Guidance on voluntary self-assessment by Administrations and for ship security	30 May 2006
MSC.1/Circ.1217	Interim Guidance on voluntary self-assessment by companies and CSOs for ship security	14 Dec 2006

26. Other4 items

Document No.	Title	Date
Resolution MSC.160(78)	Adoption of IMO Unique Company and Registered Owner Identification Number Scheme	20 May 2004
Resolution MSC.159(78)	Interim Guidance on control and compliance measures to enhance maritime security	21 May 2004
Circular letter No.2554	Implementation of IMO Unique Company and Registered Owner Identification Number Scheme (resolution MSC.160(78))	24 Jun 2004
MSC.1/Circ.1371/Add.2	Amendments to the list of codes, recommendations, guidelines and other safety- and security-related non-mandatory instruments	15 Aug 2012

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