ABS guide for Integrated Management Systems

The significant impact of management practices on the safe operation of ships has been recognized for some time. The General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization requested the Maritime Safety Committee, by resolution A.596(15), to develop, as a matter of urgency, guidelines concerning shipboard and shore-based management, and to include in the work program of both the Maritime Safety Committee and the Marine Environment Protection Committee an item on shipboard and shore-based management for the International Safety Management Code (ISM Code). The ISM Code was developed by the International Maritime Organization to provide the maritime community with an internationally recognized standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention. Initially adopted as resolution A. 741(18), it later was incorporated into Chapter IX of the SOLAS convention and became mandatory for oil tankers, chemical tankers, bulk carriers and cargo high speed craft of 500 gross tonnage and upwards and for passenger ships including passenger high-speed craft from 1 July 1998. Other cargo ships and self-propelled mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) of 500 gross tonnage and upwards, subject to SOLAS, were required to comply by 1 July 2002. Other management system standards have been developed, notably ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, non-specific to the maritime industry, which address management practices from the perspective of controlling quality, occupational health hazards and environmental impact. These standards, though not specific to the marine industry, provide useful guidance that can be employed in marine management and the operation of ships to further enhance management systems focused on the safe operating practices and prevention of pollution.

The general management system principles embodied by the ISM Code, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 have been incorporated in this Guide. These principles, where appropriate, have been “marinized” in order to bring them within the concept of the industry itself. In this revision of the Guide, changes to the Standard for Quality Management Systems – Requirements (ISO 9001:2008) have been taken into account. The 2008 edition of the ISO 9001 Standard is focused on clarification of the ISO 9001:2000 Standard. The standard was amended to clarify points within the text and to enhance compatibility with ISO 14001:2004. Also amendments to the ISM Code contained in IMO Res. MSC.273(85) have been incorporated. ABS offers this Guide to the maritime industry as a tool for enhancing marine management practices and further supporting responsible management in the operation of ships and prevention of pollution.

Links
ABS Guide for Integrated Management Systems