Fatigue Study commenced by IMO
The IMO’s HTW commenced a one-year scoping exercise into the enhancement of the effectiveness of provisions on fatigue and seafarer’s hours of work and rest.
A series of papers, academic studies and also 18 formal accident reports submitted into the IMO’s GISIS database highlight seafarer fatigue as an issue of safety concern. The scoping exercise, in which The Nautical Institute will play a full part, will determine the full range of IMO instruments, guidelines and other documents, along with those of other UN bodies (such as the International Labour Organization) that affect governance of seafarer fatigue, before developing recommendations on how to enhance their effectiveness to reduce future safety risks.
Alongside the welcome news on fatigue, new Model Courses for Chemical Tanker Cargo and Ballast Handling simulators (course 1.37), Oil Tanker Cargo and Ballast Handling simulators (course 1.37) and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) Officer (course 1.21), were all validated.
The subject of PSSR training was placed under detailed examination following the introduction on 1 January 2026 of new training requirements regarding sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault prevention and response. Promulgated in IMO Resolution MSC.560(108), the sub-committee heard that there has been some confusion regarding to whom they apply.
It was noted that the new PSSR training is to be delivered as part of a PSSR course (STCW Code table A-VI/1-4), which is only delivered to seafarers at the start of their seafaring career and which does not need to be renewed at any stage thereafter. To this end, seafarers attending a PSSR course do need to complete the training, but anyone who already holds a PSSR certificate will not need to receive this training to remain STCW compliant.
Whilst many shipping and crewing companies already ensure seafarers receive appropriate training in sexual assault and harassment prevention, there was some consternation that the new training does not need to be delivered to those already IMO certificated and at sea. But a careful reading of the regulations and amendments makes this very clear. It is unlikely this matter will go away, and seafarers can thus expect further IMO action to address this.
Progress was also made on the development of a safety regulatory framework for alternative fuels and a working group on the review of the STCW Code met throughout the week and will continue into next week as an intersessional working group.
The Nautical Institute was represented by three of our Headquarters staff, and six members of our volunteer expert delegate scheme. A more detailed report will appear in the April edition of Seaways.