BIMCO guidance on COVID-19 implications for ships’ certificates
Overview
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, some ships are experiencing operational challenges, such as shipyards or dry docks closing down. In addition, surveys and audits can in some cases not be conducted because surveyors are unable to attend the ships due to travel restrictions or quarantines.
The IMO has issued Circular Letter No. 4204/Add.1, addressed to all its member states. In this circular, the IMO Secretary-General addresses COVID-19’s impact on the shipping industry, including implementation and enforcement of mandatory IMO requirements. The circular encourages flexibility. The IMO can only encourage co-operation and a pragmatic approach between flag and port states. It cannot issue a general exemption from the mandatory provisions of the relevant statutory conventions, nor delay implementation of mandatory regulations coming into force - not even in the current uncertain situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the IMO circular, BIMCO has gathered a range of information from other organisations and analysed the consequences. The information and analysis are accessible from the BIMCO website here.
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Posted:
16 March 2020
VPS Bunker Alerts
Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) publish regular Bunker Alerts based entirely on fuel samples and have kindly permitted BIMCO’s Members to access this information.
The Bunker Alerts are not intended to be an evaluation of overall bunker quality in the port or area concerned, but usually highlight a specific parameter within the fuel which has raised a quality issue.
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