RS took part in the 111th session of the Legal Committee

RS participated in the work of the Legal Committee for the first time. Yet, the contribution of RS specialists to the preparation of and participation in the session facilitated a successful discussion of the vast topic of combating the fraudulent registration of ships. This line of the Committee's work includes, among other things, the creation of measures to be taken by flag state administrations in accordance with their obligations to ensure proper control over their ships. As part of the session the following were

finalized:

• Guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers detained on suspicion of committing crimes which are to be applied when the seafarer is detained in a jurisdiction other than that of his nationality;

established:

• a new Task Force to review and update the joint ILO/IMO abandonment database, including all procedural, policy, financial and technical aspects. Seafarer abandonment is a widespread violation of rights that occurs when shipowners fail to fulfil obligations to seafarers (payment of wages, the provision of basic necessities such as food, accommodation and medical care, repatriation etc.);
• a Correspondence Group on Due Diligence and IMO Identification Number Schemes to be exercised in the process of registration of ships under the flag of a State;

approved:

• Revised Guidelines for accepting Insurance Companies and Certificates with the goal of providing State Parties to conventions with guidance on accepting insurance certificates;
• an information brochure on the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 2002, intended as a guide for claimants on claims for death or personal injury to a passenger, as well as for the loss of or damage to luggage or vehicles during carriage by sea;

adopted:

• a road map for addressing legal issues related to Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS);

discussed:

• key developments in legal issues related to piracy and armed robbery of ships, as well as urgent measures to address Somali piracy in the Gulf of Aden were discussed.

Detailed results of LEG 111 can be found under the section Useful Information on the official RS website. The next session will be held from March 24 to 28, 2025.

Additional information:

Founded in 1913, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) is a world-renowned classification society that operates within all spheres of the maritime industry. The organization’s main objectives are to enhance the safety standards of human life at sea, ensure the safe navigation of ships and the secure transportation of cargoes by sea and inland waterways, as well as to develop standards for environmental protection.

RS reviews technical documentation, surveys ships under construction and in service, issues documents and certificates for vessels, offshore facilities, ship machinery, equipment and devices; conducts measurements of ships and floating facilities; carries out surveys to ensure compliance with international conventions; certifies industrial products and manufacturers, quality management systems, sustainability management and occupational health and safety management systems in compliance with ISO standards. RS surveys general cargo containers, thermal containers, tank containers, platform containers, offshore containers, etc.