The new Mooring requirements issued by the IMO in December 2020 include revised guidelines on the design and selection of mooring arrangements and equipment for safe mooring. These guidelines, along with guidelines on inspection and maintenance of mooring equipment, apply to ships built after January 1, 2024. Tankers have already complied with these requirements since July 2018. Ships built before January 1, 2024, should adhere to the previous version of the guidelines for construction items but must conform to the inspection and maintenance requirements outlined in the new guidelines.
What to do
To comply with the new requirements issued by the IMO regarding mooring arrangements and equipment, companies should consult with shipyards to ensure that mooring fittings are designed to meet the Ship Design Minimum Breaking Load (MBLSD). Additionally, companies should develop a comprehensive Mooring Lines Management Plan that includes guidelines for inspections, record keeping, retirement criteria, and estimated maximum life of mooring lines. This plan will help ensure the safe and effective use of mooring equipment.
