The ISM Code aims to promote maritime safety and prevent pollution. It requires shipping companies to implement safety management systems on board ships and ashore. Since its adoption in 1993, the ISM Code has established global standards for safe ship management and operations. It has promoted safety culture on board ships and reduced accidents by defining roles and responsibilities, requiring safety plans and emergency procedures, and ensuring ships and equipment are properly maintained. The ISM Code has also reduced insurance claims and costs by enhancing operational efficiency and preventing identified risks.

1. Role of ISM Code inRole of ISM Code in
Promoting MaritimePromoting Maritime
SafetySafety
BYBY
CALEB DANLADI BAKO (M Sc,CALEB DANLADI BAKO (M Sc,
MNI, CMILT)MNI, CMILT)
Master MarinerMaster Mariner

2. ObjectivesObjectives
By the end of this session, you will be ableBy the end of this session, you will be able
to:to:
 Develop a disciplined and professionalDevelop a disciplined and professional
approached to the management of safetyapproached to the management of safety
of shipping.of shipping.
 Analyse how ISM code has promotedAnalyse how ISM code has promoted
safety culture onboard and reducesafety culture onboard and reduce
accidentsaccidents
 Develop new safety procedures on shipsDevelop new safety procedures on ships

3. What is ISM Code?What is ISM Code?
International safety management codeInternational safety management code
(ISM code) is a code for the safe(ISM code) is a code for the safe
operations of ships and for pollutionoperations of ships and for pollution
prevention adopted by the Internationalprevention adopted by the International
Maritime Organisation (IMO) by resolutionMaritime Organisation (IMO) by resolution
A.741 (18). The code became mandatoryA.741 (18). The code became mandatory
by coming into force on 1by coming into force on 1stst
July, 2008 andJuly, 2008 and
incorporated into SOLAS chapter IX onincorporated into SOLAS chapter IX on
management for safe operations of shipsmanagement for safe operations of ships

4. Objectives of ISM CodeObjectives of ISM Code
 Ensure safety at seaEnsure safety at sea
 Prevention of human injury or loss of lifePrevention of human injury or loss of life
 And avoidance of damage to the environment, inAnd avoidance of damage to the environment, in
particular to the marine environment and toparticular to the marine environment and to
propertyproperty

5. BACKGROUND OF ISM CODEBACKGROUND OF ISM CODE
 A number of very serious accidents whichA number of very serious accidents which
occurred during the late 1980’s , were manifestlyoccurred during the late 1980’s , were manifestly
caused by human errors, management failure.caused by human errors, management failure.
Some of them includeSome of them include
 1987 Ro/Ro Ferry Herald of free enterprise1987 Ro/Ro Ferry Herald of free enterprise
which capsized off the Belgium port ofwhich capsized off the Belgium port of
Zeebrugge. About 188 passengers died.Zeebrugge. About 188 passengers died.
 1987 Ferry Dona paz collided with a tanker in1987 Ferry Dona paz collided with a tanker in
Philippines. Estimated 4, 386 people killed.Philippines. Estimated 4, 386 people killed.

6. Cont.Cont.
 1989 Tanker Exxon valdez ran aground off the1989 Tanker Exxon valdez ran aground off the
coast of Alaska. 37,000 tonnes of oil spilled andcoast of Alaska. 37,000 tonnes of oil spilled and
extensive environmental damaged caused. Finalextensive environmental damaged caused. Final
claims level possibly USD 10 Billionclaims level possibly USD 10 Billion..
 These maritime accidents and disasters causeThese maritime accidents and disasters cause
extensive loss of life and serious damage to theextensive loss of life and serious damage to the
marine environment.marine environment.
 Investigation into these accidents revealedInvestigation into these accidents revealed
major errors on part of management.major errors on part of management.

7. Development of ISM codeDevelopment of ISM code
 The Code origin go back to the late 1980’s,The Code origin go back to the late 1980’s,
when there was mounting concern about poorwhen there was mounting concern about poor
management standards in shipping.management standards in shipping.
 In 1987 IMO Assembly adopted resolutionIn 1987 IMO Assembly adopted resolution
A.596(15) to ensure safe operations of roro ferryA.596(15) to ensure safe operations of roro ferry
 2 years later resolution A.680(17) was adopted2 years later resolution A.680(17) was adopted
 1993 resolution A.741(18) ISM code was1993 resolution A.741(18) ISM code was
adoptedadopted
 11stst
July 1998 the code came into force.July 1998 the code came into force.
 The code has been amended since then.The code has been amended since then.

8. Benefits of Establishing ISM CodeBenefits of Establishing ISM Code
 There is total reduction of ship losses byThere is total reduction of ship losses by
numbernumber
 ISM code has reduced the cost ofISM code has reduced the cost of
insurance claim.insurance claim.
 ISM code enhances operational efficiencyISM code enhances operational efficiency
and prevention of identified risksand prevention of identified risks
 Safe operation of ships and pollutionSafe operation of ships and pollution
PreventionPrevention
 Safe cargo handling and carriageSafe cargo handling and carriage

9. Ways in Which ISM Code hasWays in Which ISM Code has
promoted Maritime Safetypromoted Maritime Safety
 Establishment of Environmental protection policy.Establishment of Environmental protection policy.
 Define the responsibilities and Authority both ashore andDefine the responsibilities and Authority both ashore and
afloatafloat
 Appoint a Designated Person Ashore:Appoint a Designated Person Ashore:
 Define the Masters responsibilities under the codeDefine the Masters responsibilities under the code
 Provide adequate resource personnelProvide adequate resource personnel
 Develop plans for shipboard operationsDevelop plans for shipboard operations
 Identify and prepare for all emergency situationsIdentify and prepare for all emergency situations
 Report all accidents, incidents and hazardous situations.Report all accidents, incidents and hazardous situations.
 Ensure ship and Equipment are properly maintainedEnsure ship and Equipment are properly maintained

10. ConclusionConclusion
 Since the adoption of ISM code in 1993,Since the adoption of ISM code in 1993,
the International safety management codethe International safety management code
for the safe operations of ships and forfor the safe operations of ships and for
pollution prevention has established apollution prevention has established a
global standard for safe management andglobal standard for safe management and
operations of ships which has promotedoperations of ships which has promoted
safety of shipping and pollution preventionsafety of shipping and pollution prevention

11. Any Question ????Any Question ????
You can contact meYou can contact me
Caleb Danladi BakoCaleb Danladi Bako
dancb2k@yahoo.comdancb2k@yahoo.com
cam00431@myport.ac.ukcam00431@myport.ac.uk