AMSA issues new watertight and weathertight integrity standards

From January 1, 2023, new watertight and weathertight integrity standards have come into effect for new domestic commercial vessel builds, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said recently.

The new standards address safety risks highlighted by several fatal and serious incidents over the last four decades.

Contained in Section C2 of the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV), they replace three technical standards contained in the Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code, and reflect current technology, international standards and best practice.

Compliance with the new standard will be voluntary until January 1, 2025.

New vessel constructions commencing in this period will have the option of complying with either NSCV section C2 or USL Code sections 5C, 5D and 7. However, vessel owners will need to comply with one or the other — not elements of both.

More details on the new guidelines can be read here.