The era of digitalization and rapid development of technologies has called for immediate action, which led the IMO to issue and implement a series of regulations and guidelines on cyber risk management, with, last but not least, the adoption of the Resolution MSC.428(98), which calls companies to report any cyber risk in their ISM Code no later than January 1, 2021.

There is no doubt that many times hazardous situations surround the organizations’ operations, increasing the risk for a catastrophic failure during their day to day operation. A High Reliability Organization operates in such a manner that error rate is low, despite the difficulties and risky operations.

A minimum under keel clearance is one of the major factors required to provide safe passage for a vessel as it helps mariners avoid ship grounding.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands issued a marine notice to provide procedures to be followed in the event of an Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control Systems (ODMCS) failure.

IMO has published changes to The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG Code), incorporating the 2018 edition (feat. Amendment 39-18) which comes into force on 1 January 2020 for two years and may be applied voluntarily as from 1 January 2019.

Air lubrication is a system used in vessels by using air to decrease the frictional resistance of the hull of a ship. As a result, the vessel glides easily through water. Tiny air bubbles are pumped through vents fitted in the hull of the ship.

The 75th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 75) took place remotely from 16 to 20 November. Among the key points were the approval of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, with new requirements addressing GHG emissions and the approval of guidelines for onboard fuel sampling. 

In today's shipping industry, it is beyond doubt that ECDIS has become the main tool for watchkeeping officers on board ships. As a result the Masters, navigating officers, and ship-owners should be aware of the benefits of the chart display, the safety settings, and the alarm system of ECDIS.

In line with a growing smart technology trend and as shipping is struggling to keep costs down in order to maintain its competitiveness, as well as to minimize human error to improve its safety record, autonomous ships provide an attractive trend.

Watchstanding is a very important operation and one of the many tasks that an Officer of the Watch has to do in a daily basis. The change over has to be done in a short period of time, which is critical for the effective marine watch of the relieving OOW.