The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has several key conventions that obligate ships to comply with safety, health, and environmental requirements. One of the most significant frameworks is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), along with the MARPOL Convention for pollution prevention.

Key Clauses and Explanations:

1- SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea)

Safety of Life at Sea Convention SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) is an international maritime treaty that sets minimum safety standards for ships and shipping procedures. First introduced in 1914 after the sinking of the RMS Titanic, SOLAS was subsequently implemented several times during It has been updated over the years, with the last amendment of SOLAS 1974 coming into force in 1980. The purpose of this convention is to ensure the safety of human life at sea, the safety of ships, and the safety of property on board.

Under SOLAS, ships are required to meet certain standards in relation to construction, equipment and operation. It covers a wide range of safety aspects, including procedures for watertight integrity, fire safety, navigation, radio communications, life-saving appliances, and cargo handling. SOLAS also requires regular inspections and reviews to ensure continued compliance with the Convention's standards.

By creating a global framework for maritime safety, SOLAS ensures that ships are equipped to deal with a variety of challenges, including natural disasters, accidents, and potential terrorist threats. This is very important, as the shipping industry carries approximately 80% of the world's goods and it is essential to protect ships, cargo and most importantly the lives of seafarers.

A notable aspect of SOLAS is its focus on life-saving appliances and emergency procedures. Ships must have adequate lifeboats, lifeboats and lifejackets along with reliable communication systems to call for help in times of distress. Conducting regular drills and training crew members on emergency response protocols is critical to ensure timely and effective rescue operations in the event of an accident or emergency.

In addition, SOLAS requires all ships to have detailed and up-to-date marine safety plans, including measures to reduce and prevent pollution from ship operations. This commitment to preserving marine ecosystems and minimizing the environmental impact of shipping is in line with the broader United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

SOLAS also emphasizes the importance of efficient navigation and communication systems. Electronic navigational aids, such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), radar, and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), are essential for ship operators to maneuver safely and avoid collisions. In addition, strict regulations on radio communications ensure effective and rapid communication between ships and maritime authorities, allowing for rapid response to emergencies and enhancing overall maritime safety.

• Chapter I: General Provisions
• This chapter establishes the fundamental obligations of ships to ensure safety at sea. It includes requirements for ship construction, equipment, and operational safety.
• Chapter II-1: Construction – Structure, Stability, and Machinery
• Details the structural integrity and stability requirements for ships, ensuring they can withstand various sea conditions.
• Chapter III: Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements
• Mandates that ships are equipped with life-saving appliances, such as lifeboats, life jackets, and emergency communication devices, to ensure the safety of crew and passengers.

2-MARPOL (Marine Pollution)

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)

Water pollution is one of the most fundamental global concerns to preserve the marine environment, which can cause damage to plants, animals and marine ecosystems, as well as disrupt human exploitation of the sea and harm the tourism and fishing industries. to be Various types of sea pollution caused by ships, such as the discharge of waste, oil and its derivatives in the water and pollution caused by the smoke of ships, led to the creation of an important international treaty to prevent them. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships or MARPL is a treaty in which all ships flying the flags of MARPL signatory countries, regardless of their origin and destination, are obliged to comply with its provisions, and the member nations, They are responsible for all ships and vessels that are registered under their respective nationality. Marple is an abbreviation of Marine Pollution.

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships or MARPOL was first adopted in the 1973 international conference focusing on sea pollution by the International Maritime Organization (IMO); Then it was modified during the 1978 protocol. In this convention, the laws related to various sources of pollution caused by ships are discussed and its purpose is to eliminate the intentional pollution of the sea environment by oil and other harmful substances and to reduce the discharge of such substances intentionally or unintentionally, through the application of laws. and regulations on ships and ports. As mentioned, this convention includes 6 annexes.

• Annex I: Prevention of Pollution by Oil
• Requires ships to implement measures to prevent oil spills, including the proper operation of machinery and regular maintenance of equipment.
• Annex II: Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances
• Sets standards for the discharge of noxious liquid substances and mandates proper handling and containment.
• Annex V: Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships
• Establishes regulations on the disposal of garbage, aiming to minimize marine litter and protect marine environments.

3. STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers)

The convention outlines the training and certification requirements for seafarers and ensures that crews are adequately trained to handle safety and environmental challenges. These standards consist of the abbreviation of the Latin words Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping, and it means the standards of training, certification, cares or watches of maritime, which was approved in 1978 by the conference of the International Maritime Organization in London and in It was implemented in 1984. This convention (STCW) was significantly modified in 1995. Also, this convention was created for the purpose of international harmonization and coordination in the matter of training, certificates and the way of performing the duty of all seafarers around the world. This convention sets minimum standards of competence for masters, officers and watchkeeping personnel on board merchant marine vessels and large boats. STCW was adopted in 1978 by a conference at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London and came into force in 1984. This convention was significantly amended in 1995. The STCW Convention was the first to establish basic minimum requirements for the training, certification and watchkeeping of seafarers at the international level. Previously, minimum standards for training, certification and guarding of officers and evaluations were set by governments, usually without reference to other countries' practices. As a result, minimum standards and procedures vary widely. Anyone who wants to work on ships, especially commercial ships whose length is more than 24 meters, must have completed all STCW standard skills and courses before hiring and starting work. The type of training, courses and skills required depend on the post and position that a seafarer is supposed to perform. Therefore, the training required of a ship captain is definitely "and completely" different from that of a sailor. This convention outlines the training and certification requirements for seafarers, ensuring that crew members are adequately trained to handle safety and environmental challenges.

The minimum basic training required to acquire these skills is "basic and simple standard courses", which is a kind of permission for sailors to enter on the ship's deck, and it is divided into four "simple" courses:

1- Teaching social responsibilities and health of people (sailors)

2- Teaching how to prevent fire or how to control it

3- Teaching rescue skills (sailor)

4- First aid training

4- ISPS Code (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code)

ISPS stands for Latin words (International Ship and Port Security) and means international security of ships and ports. If you ask yourself the meaning of the word ISPS What is ?, you will understand that the use of this phrase started after the incident of the September 11th attack (on the American Twin Towers). The International Maritime Organization concluded that what happened in the air can happen in the sea. happen in ports or oceans. Therefore, this organization decided to develop and complete the existing security standards and recommend them to all seafarers, ports and ship owners, importers and exporters of cargoes, and apply them.

These standards were called the International Ship and Port Security Code. The above-mentioned criteria were discussed and reviewed in an emergency meeting and it was decided that a new clause was added to the International SOLAS Convention (SOLAS) adopted in 1974, chapter eleven, part two, and it (SOLAS Convention) regarding the security of ships and ports and strengthen the lives of individuals and personnel. One of the most important of these measures is the creation of an international framework for cooperation between governments, government organizations, local governments and the international transportation industry. Through this framework, security threats are identified and actions are taken against any event that may affect the security of ships or port facilities. To achieve this goal, the roles and responsibilities of governments, international shipping companies, port authorities and any organization or institution involved in any maritime traffic and executive operations have been defined by the International Shipping Organization. Accordingly, all the said institutions must ensure that continuous and effective information related to the security of ships and port facilities and related to maritime operations is always being collected and reviewed under a specific plan and procedure. Also, according to ISPS, all related entities should have a detailed plan based on the collected information to react appropriately to any changes in different security levels. In fact, it can be said that the security of the ship and port facilities must be constantly evaluated and according to the possible risks and threats that exist in different geographies, detailed plans have been developed to respond to the defined risks. A framework for assessing security risks and provides implementation of measures to protect ships and port facilities that indirectly support safety and environmental integrity.

These conventions and their clauses collectively ensure that maritime operations prioritize safety, health, and environmental protection, fostering a culture of compliance and responsibility in the shipping industry.