Caribbean Maritime – issue 40

Page 22

SHIP REGISTRY

How ship registries and others are coping during the pandemic

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here is no need to introduce to the reader Covid-19, nor to mention the long days and nights you and your family may have been in confinement at home. Some say to protect ourselves, and to avoid the escalation of numbers of mortalities that could multiply while, others say that this confinement is illegal. However, one of the industries that have not stopped is the shipping industry, the strong link in the chain together with the trucks helping the food industry to feed many millions of people. One of the main players within the shipping industry are the Flag States also known as Ship Registries & Maritime Authorities, which are usually assisted by previously duly accredited Recognised Organizations (ROs) and Security Recognised Organizations (SROs) that on behalf of the Flag State take up the inspections, survey and issuance of many Statutory’ Certificates of vessels. Covid-19 took us by surprise. IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim issued a statement addressing the effect of the

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coronavirus pandemic on the shipping industry and the global supply chain on which he said: “… Again, I urge a practical and pragmatic approach, in these unusual times, to issues like crew changeovers, resupply, repairs, survey and certification and licensing of seafarers.” . Together with the IMO, other international organisations and associations, like ITF, WHO, International Chamber of Shipping, INTERTANKO, etc, have been working together, to find a solution to the multiple problems, delays and issues the industry is experiencing.

PROMPT ACTION Most of the registries have acted promptly in taking unprecedented measures to mitigate the impact to ensure and facilitate that their ships will sail through Covid-19 with a minimum of interruptions and consequences to ports, operators, registrars, ROs and seafarers. Since a large number of the registries are ISO certified, Flag States needed to

By Maria Dixon

CEO, ISM Shipping Solutions Ltd

establish and document their procedures in order to be certified. However, since then, there have been new practices in place such as registrars are now working from home, and electronic signatures implemented at a fast pace. Therefore, all the new procedures have had to be added to their existing ISO manuals. Months ago, it would have been unthinkable for a Ship Registry to do this. Recently, I assisted a vessel to update documentation as they were facing their periodic vetting. The operators had to ensure their ship remained approved to be chartered for future trade. The registry, in this case


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Caribbean Maritime – issue 40 by Land & Marine Publications Ltd. - Issuu