The International Maritime Organization (IMO) issued an updated LIST OF NATIONAL OPERATIONAL CONTACT POINTS dated January 31, 2024, a copy of which is attached here. Please ensure that the SOPEP or SMPEP on board your vessels is duly updated with the current list.
SOPEP/SMPEP Annual Review Reminder:
We also take this opportunity to remind you that the SOPEP or SMPEP, as applicable, must be reviewed periodically or at least annually by the owner/operator to capture changes in local law or policy, contact names, and numbers, ship characteristics, or company policy. The review must be documented in the plan holder’s SMS by the ISM Code, Chapter 11.
To avoid any issues during Port State Control (PSC) inspections, we recommend that the Master or Company conduct an annual review of the SOPEP or SMPEP as part of the annual SMS documentation review of manuals and issue/sign a document confirming the same for the vessel’s records.
If Marine Survejor Consultant prepared the SOPEP or SMPEP for your vessels, we ask that you forward us details of any changes made to shipboard copies, to ensure such changes are incorporated in the plan promptly. Please note that any changes to the mandatory sections of the plan will require Flag Administration approval, which may result in a plan review fee by the Flag State that will be charged to your account.
