The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is intensifying efforts to enhance ship safety and seafarer welfare through stronger compliance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. During the 110th session of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) in London from 18 to 27 June, key decisions were made to revise guidelines, address violence and harassment, and tackle fatigue and work-rest imbalances.

Revising the ISM Code Implementation

The MSC agreed to a comprehensive revision of the guidelines for implementing the ISM Code, which sets global standards for safe ship management and pollution prevention. The revision, to be conducted by the Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III) and the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) over three years (until 2028), aims to:

Address gaps identified in an independent 2023-2024 study on the ISM Code’s effectiveness.

Strengthen enforcement through port State control and updated guidelines.

Incorporate recommendations for a complaint procedure, enhanced master authority, and a stronger safety culture.

Tackling Violence and Harassment

The revision will integrate recommendations from the Joint IMO/ILO Tripartite Working Group to combat violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying, and assault. Key measures include:

Embedding policies in safety management systems for prevention, reporting, response, and victim support.

Ensuring compliance with national laws and industry guidance.

Assigning clear responsibilities to senior management and maritime administrations.

Providing training for seafarers and shoreside personnel.

Addressing Fatigue and Work-Rest Hours

The MSC prioritized addressing seafarer fatigue by initiating a scoping exercise of legal instruments to balance workload and crewing levels. The HTW Sub-Committee, in collaboration with the III Sub-Committee, will analyze relevant IMO provisions over 2026-2027. This work aligns with the ongoing review of the STCW Convention, which identified gaps in regulations on hours of rest.

Other Key Outcomes

MSC 110 also advanced:

Autonomous Ships: Finalized 24 of 25 chapters of the non-mandatory Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code.

GHG Fuel Safety: Progressed safety regulations for alternative fuels and initiated a review of the Nuclear Code.

Maritime Security: Adopted a resolution to encourage information-sharing via maritime centers.

Cybersecurity: Endorsed developing a non-mandatory cybersecurity Code.

Pilot Transfer Safety: Adopted amendments to the SOLAS Convention for safer pilot transfer arrangements.

For more details, the full MSC 110 meeting summary will be available soon.

Source: IMO Press Briefing - Seafarer Fatigue, Work Hours, Harassment