Time to Revise the IMO’s Guidance on Good Practice for the Use of Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)

ABSTRACT: In the course of developing the publication "Recommendations on usage of ECDIS and preventing incidents" [19] by members of the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), they have identified the importance of sharing information on a malfunction of an ECDIS. The problem was discussed in the forum of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). As a consequence, there was a necessity to modify the IMO’s ECDIS – Guidance for Good Practice. This guidance is intended to assist smooth implementation of ECDIS and its ongoing safe and effective use on board ships. In the new version of this document (second revision), new important terms appear, such as: type approval authority (TAA), type approval certificate (TAC), letter of acceptance (LOA), declaration of conformity (DOC). In this article, the author tries to present the problem and describe the actions taken by the appropriate IMO bodies.

KEYWORDS: IMO Performance Standards, ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System), Letter of Acceptance (LOA), ECDIS Good Practice, Type Approval Authority (TAA), Type Approval Certificate (TAC), Declaration of Conformity (DOC), Performance Standards for ECDIS

REFERENCES

IMO MSC.1/Circ.1503/Corr.1. ECDIS - Guidance for Good Practice. International Maritime Organization, London, 24 July 2015.

IMO MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.1. ECDIS Guidance for Good Practice. International Maritime Organization, London, 16 June 2017.

IMO MSC 100/17/5. Work Programme. Proposal for a new output for revision of ECDIS – Guidance for good practice (MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.1), submitted by China. International Maritime Organization, London, 31 August 2018.

IMO NCSR 7/22/5, Any Other Business. Report on monitoring of ECDIS issues by IHO, submitted by International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). International Maritime Organization, London, 12 November 2019.

IMO NCSR 7/INF.20. Any Other Business. Considerations on future revision of MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.1, submitted by China. International Maritime Organization, London, 12 November 2019.

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IMO NCSR 9/16/1. Revision of ECDIS Guidance for Good Practice and Amendments to ECDIS Performance Standards. Proposed amendments to resolution MSC.232(82). Submitted by IHO, CIRM and INTERTANKO. International Maritime Organization, London, 17 March 2022

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IMO NCSR 9/16/5. Revision of ECDIS Guidance for Good Practice and Amendments to ECDIS Performance Standards. Comments on document NCSR 9/16/1. Submitted by China. International Maritime Organization, London, 29 April 2022

NCSR 9/24. Report to The Maritime Safety Committee. International Maritime Organization, London, 5 August 2022

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IMO NCSR 9/INF.14 - Considerations on the implementation arrangement for onboard ECDIS updates in relation to IHO standards. Submitted by China. International Maritime Organization, London, 18 April 2022

IMO Resolution MSC.232(82); Adoption of The Revised Performance Standards for Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). International Maritime Organization, London, adopted on 5 December 2006

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IMO STCW.7/Circ.24, International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCS), 1978, as amended. Interim Guidance for Parties, Administrations, port State control authorities, recognized organizations and other relevant parties on the requirements of the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended. International Maritime Organization, London, 6 February 2017.

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Weintrit A., The Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS): An Operational Handbook. A Balkema Book. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton – London - New York - Leiden, 2009. (ISBN: 9780415482462) - doi:10.1201/9781439847640

Citation note:

Weintrit A.: Time to Revise the IMO’s Guidance on Good Practice for the Use of Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). TransNav, the International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation, Vol. 16, No. 3, doi:10.12716/1001.16.03.15, pp. 523-531, 2022

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