Dates of Upcoming Requirements

Entry into Force Convention / Code Regulation Subject (see IMO Reference document for details) Application (see IMO Reference document for details) IMO Reference Liberia
1 January 2017 upon entry into force of the new chapter XIV of the Convention SOLAS Polar Code Ch. XIV (NEW) International Code For Ships Operating In Polar Waters (Polar Code) All ships operating in polar waters. INVITES ALSO Contracting Governments to consider the voluntary application of the Polar Code, as far as practicable, also to ships not covered by the Polar Code and operating in polar waters. MSC.385(94) Amendments to the international convention for the safety of life at sea 1974, as amended Liberia is working closely with its Recognised Organisations (IACS members) to ensure the smooth implementation of the Polar Code.
1 January 2017 SOLAS Ch. XIV (NEW) Safety measures for Ships operating in Polar Waters Reg. 2: Application
  1. All ships operating in polar waters, certified as per Ch. 1
  2. Ships constructed before 1 January 2017 shall meet Polar Code by first intermediate of renewal survey after 1 January 2018.
MSC.386(94) Amendments to the international convention for the safety of life at sea 1974, as amended Liberia is working closely with its Recognised Organisations (IACS members) to ensure the smooth implementation of the Polar Code.
1 January 2017 IGF Code will take effect on 1 January 2017 upon entry into force of amendments to chapters II-1, II-2 and the appendix to the annex of the Convention SOLAS IGF Code Ch. II-1 & II-2 IGF Code International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) All ships to which part G of SOLAS Chapter II-1 applies. Administrations are to consider the voluntary application of the IGF Code, as far as practicable, to cargo ships of less than 500 gross tonnage using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels MSC.391(95) Adoption of the international code of safety for ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels (IGF Code) Liberia is an active member of the IMO MSC/CCC Working Group on the IGF Code and is working closely with its Recognised Organisations (IACS members) to ensure the smooth implementation of the IGF Code.
1 January 2017 SOLAS Ch. II-1, Pt. A, Reg. 2 Ch. II-1, Pt. F, Reg. 55 Ch. II-1, Pt. G, Reg. 56 Ch. II-1, Pt. G, Reg. 57 Ch. II-2, Pt. B, Reg. 4 Ch. II-2, Pt. C, Reg. 11 Ch. II-2, Pt. G, Reg. 20 Appendix (Certificates) General - Definitions: New Alternative Design and Arrangements - Amended NEW – Ships using low-flashpoint fuels - Application NEW – Requirements for ships using low-flashpoint fuels Prevention of fire and explosion - Probability of ignition Suppression of fire – Structural integrity Special requirements – Protection of vehicle, special category and ro-ro spaces Passenger Ship Safety certificate Cargo Ship Safety Construction certificate Reg. 56: All ships using low-flashpoint fuels:
  1. building contract on or after 1 January 2017;
  2. keel laying date on or after 1 July 2017;
  3. Delivery on or after 1 July 2021
MSC.392(95) Amendments to the international convention for the safety of life at sea 1974, as amended Liberia is an active member of the IMO MSC/CCC Working Group on the Development of Guidelines for Low Plash Point Fuels and is working closely with its Recognised Organisations (IACS members) to ensure the swift approval of these guidelines.
1 January 2017 Administrations may apply the amendments in whole or in part on a voluntary basis as from 1 January 2016. SOLAS International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code Modifications and additions to the IMSBC Code, including:
  • (NEW) Appendix 5: Bulk Cargo Shipping Names in three languages (English, Spanish and French)
All ships that are carrying solid bulk cargoes. MSC.393(95) Amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code Liberia is an active member of the IMO MSC/CCC Working Group on the IMSBC Code matters.
1 January 2017 SOLAS Appendix (Certificates) Modifications and additions to the forms below in the Appendix to the Annex relating to SOLAS Ch. II-1, Part G:
  • Safety Construction Certificate
All ships to which the Annex applies MSC.394(95) Amendments to the protocol of 1988 relating to the international convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 ---
1 January 2017 SOLAS Appendix (Certificates) Modifications and additions to the forms below in the Appendix to the Annex relating to SOLAS Ch. II-1, Part G:
  • Passenger Ship Safety Certificate
  • Safety Construction Certificate
  • Safety Certificate
All ships to which the Annex applies MSC.395(95) Amendments to the protocol of 1988 relating to the international convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 ---
1 January 2017 STCW Ch. I, Reg. I/1 Ch. I, Reg. I/11 Ch. V Reg. V/3 (NEW) Definition for IGF Code (AMENDED) Revalidation of certificates (NEW) Mandatory requirements for the training and qualification of masters, officers, ratings, and other personnel on ships subject to the IGF Code - Every master, officer and radio operator All masters, officers, ratings, and other personnel on board ships subject to the IGF Code MSC.396(95) Amendments to the international convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended ---
1 January 2017 STCW Ch. V, Sect A-V/3 (NEW) Mandatory requirements for the training and qualification of masters, officers, ratings, and other personnel on ships subject to the IGF Code, including:
  • Basic training
  • Advanced training
  • Exemptions
Seafarers on all ships to which part G of SOLAS Chapter II-1 applies. MSC.397(95) Amendments to Part A of the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) code ---
1 January 2017 Upon entry into force of associated amendments to MARPOL Annexes I, II, IV & V POLAR CODE NEW International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) All ships operating in polar waters. MEPC.264(68) International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) Liberia is working closely with its Recognised Organisations (IACS members) to ensure the smooth implementation of the Polar Code.
1 January 2017 MARPOL Annex I Reg. 3 Exemptions and Waivers All ships operating in polar waters. MEPC.265(68) Amendments to MARPOL Annexes I, II, IV and V (Making the use of the environment-related provisions of the Polar Code mandatory) Liberia is working closely with its Recognised Organisations (IACS members) to ensure the smooth implementation of the Polar Code.
Reg. 4 Exceptions
Reg. 14 Oil Filtering Equipment
Reg. 15 Control of Discharge of Oil
Reg. 34 Control of Discharge of Oil
Reg. 38 Reception Facilities
Ch. 11 (NEW), Regs. 47 & 48 International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters
Appendix II Supplements to IOPP Certificate (Amendments to Forms A & B)
MARPOL Annex II Reg. 3 Exceptions All ships certified to carry noxious liquid substances in bulk, operating in polar waters.
Reg. 16 Measures of Control
Ch. 10 (NEW), Reg. 47 & 48 International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters
Appendix IV Standard Format for Procedures and Arrangements Manual
MARPOL Annex IV Reg. 3 Exceptions All ships certified in accordance with this Annex operating in polar waters.
Ch. 7 (NEW), Regs. 17 & 18 International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters
MARPOL Annex V Reg. 3 General Prohibition of Discharge of Garbage into the Sea All ships to which this Annex applies, operating in polar waters.
Reg. 7 Exceptions
Reg. 10 Placards, Garbage Management Plans & Garbage Record Keeping
Ch. 3 (NEW), Regs. 13 & 14 International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters
Appendix Form of Garbage Record Book
1 January 2017 MARPOL Annex I Reg. 12 Tanks for oil residues (sludge) All ships (400GT and above) MEPC.266(68) Amendments to regulation 12 of MARPOL Annex I ---
1 September 2017 MARPOL Annex II Appendix I Amendments to guidelines for the categorization of noxious liquid substances Revised GESAMP Hazard Evaluation Procedure All ships, to which this Annex applies. MEPC.270(69) Amendments to MARPOL Annex II (Revised GESAMP Hazard Evaluation Procedure) Liberia is an active member of the IMO MEPC Working Group on Amendments to Mandatory Instruments and is working closely with GESAMP and our Recognised Organisations (IACS members) to ensure the smooth implementation of these amendments
1 September 2017 MARPOL Annex VI Reg. 13 Requirements for control of emissions from ships – Nitrogen oxides (NOX) New paragraph 5.3 re: recording of data (time; date; position; tier; on/off status) from marine diesel engines at entry into, exit from and transiting of an emission control area. All ships MEPC.271(69) Amendments to regulation 13 of MARPOL Annex VI (Record requirements for operational compliance with NOx Tier III emission control areas) Liberia is an active member of the IMO MEPC Working Group on Amendments to Mandatory Instruments and is working closely with GESAMP and our Recognised Organisations (IACS members) to ensure the smooth implementation of these amendments
1 September 2017 MARPOL Annex VI NOx Technical Code Ch. 1 General Each marine diesel engine with a power output of more than 130 kW installed, or designed and intended for installation, on a ship subject to regulation 13 of MARPOL Annex VI, on or after 1 September 2016 MEPC.272(69) Amendments to the NOx Technical Code 2008 Nitrogen Oxides from Marine Diesel Engines (Testing of gas-fuelled and dual fuel engines) Liberia is an active member of the IMO MEPC Working Group on Amendments to Mandatory Instruments and is working closely with GESAMP and our Recognised Organisations (IACS members) to ensure the smooth implementation of these amendments
Ch. 4 Approval for serially manufactured engines: engine family and engine group concepts
Ch. 5 Procedures for NOx emission measurements on a test bed
Ch. 6 Procedures for Demonstrating compliance with NOx emission limits on board
Appendix III Specifications for analysers to be used in the determination of gaseous components of marine diesel engine emissions
Appendix IV Calibration of the analytical and measurement instruments
Appendix V Parent engine test report and test data
Appendix VI Calculation of exhaust gas mass flow (carbon balance method)
Appendix VII Checklist for an engine parameter check method
Appendix VIII Implementation of the direct measurement and monitoring method
1 September 2017 MARPOL Annex IV Reg. 1 Definitions A new passenger ship is either:
  • Contract placed or keel laid … on or after 1 June 2019; or
  • delivered on or after 1 June 2022
An existing passenger ship … is not a new passenger ship
Passenger ships, operating within the Baltic Sea Special Area: MEPC.274(69) Amendments to MARPOL Annex IV (Baltic Sea Special Area and Form of ISPP Certificate) Although Liberia does not currently have any passenger ships operating in the Baltic Sea Special Area, we have taken a keen interest in the outcome of this matter and will work closely with our Recognised Organisations to ensure a minimal impact should this matter affect any Liberian ships in the future
Reg. 11 Discharge of sewage from a passenger ship within a special area …shall be prohibited:
  • for new passenger ships, on a date determined by the Organization ... but in no event prior to 1 June 2019;
  • for existing passenger ships, on a date determined by the Organization ... but in no event prior to 1 June 2021, except when:
  • the ship has in operation an approved sewage treatment plant which has been certified by the Administration to meet the operational requirements
  • the effluent shall not produce visible floating solids nor cause discoloration of the surrounding water."
Appendix International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate Amended Section 1.1
IMO to notify, all Parties to MARPOL by 30 September 2016 MARPOL Annex IV Reg. 11 Discharge requirements for Special Areas for the Baltic Sea Special Area shall take effect on:
  • 1 June 2019 for new passenger ships;
  • 1 June 2021 for existing passenger ships other than those specified below; and
  • 1 June 2023 for existing passenger ships en route directly to or from a port located outside the special area and to or from a port located east of longitude 28˚10' E within the special area that do not make any other port calls within the special area.
Passenger ships, operating within the Baltic Sea Special Area: MEPC.275(69) Establishment of the Date on which Regulation 11.3 of MARPOL Annex IV in respect of the Baltic Sea Special Area shall take effect Although Liberia does not currently have any passenger ships operating in the Baltic Sea Special Area, we have taken a keen interest in the outcome of this matter and will work closely with our Recognised Organisations to ensure a minimal impact should this matter affect any Liberian ships in the future
28 February 2017 TONNAGE Annex I (NEW) Reg. 2 Determination of Gross and Net Tonnage Definitions All Ships A1084(28) TM.7/Circ.1 Amendments to Annex I and the addition of a new Annex III This amendment affects Liberia in relation to the IMO Member State Audit Scheme and has little direct impact on the shipowner.
Annex III (NEW) Regs. 8 & 9 Verification of compliance with the provisions of this Convention Application & Verification of Compliance
28 February 2018 Unless not accepted by 28 February 2017 LOAD LINE Annex II, Reg. 47 Southern Winter Seasonal Zone - Amendments All Ships A1082(28) LL.12/Circ.1 Amendments to Annex II, regulation 47 ---
Annex I, Reg. 3 Regulations for Determining Load Lines Definitions of Terms Used (III Code) - NEW A1083(28) LL12/Circ.2 Amendments to Annex I, regulation 3 and the addition of a new Annex IV to make the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) and auditing mandatory This amendment affects Liberia in relation to the IMO Member State Audit Scheme and has little direct impact on the shipowner.
Annex IV (NEW), Regs 53 & 54 Verification of Compliance with the Provisions of this Convention (III Code) Application & Verification of Compliance
08 September 2017 BALLAST WATER MGMT N/A International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM) All Ships of 400GT and above A.1088(28) Application of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 As an early party to the Convention, Liberia has taken a strong stance on behalf of industry and an active role in the IMO in relation to the development of revised guidelines (G8) for the approval of BWMS. Liberia is continuing its proposal to the IMO to delay the implementation date for installation of BWMS to allow time for industry to prepare, in particular for dry dock facilities to be made available, and be responsive to the shipowner.
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