1 The Maritime Safety Committee (the Committee),
at its eighty-ninth session (11 to 20 May 2011) having, inter alia,
recognized the importance of the Best Management Practices (BMP) and
the need to comply with the provisions therein, adopted resolution MSC.324(89) on Implementation
of Best Management Practice Guidance, and expressed its general understanding
of the need to keep the BMP alive, relevant, dynamic and updated.
2 The Committee noted that the industry group
was working on a revision to the Best Management Practices to Deter
Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and in the Arabian Sea Area. The Committee
therefore authorized the Chairman and the IMO Secretariat to distribute
the revised Best Management Practices guidance as a new MSC circular,
and to revoke the existing circular (currently MSC.1/Circ.1337) without
waiting for the Committee's prior approval. The Committee then would
be invited to endorse the new circular retrospectively at its next
meeting.
3 The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS),
acting on behalf of the industry organizations who contributed to
the development of, or have declared their support for, the Best Management
Practices, has requested the Organization to circulate the most recent
version (August 2011) of the Best Management Practices, as set out
in annex 1.
4 As authorized by MSC 87, this circular is issued
following consultations with the Chairman of the Maritime Safety Committee
prior to it being brought to the attention of the Committee.
5 Member Governments are invited to consider the
Best Management Practices as set out in annex 2, and advise owners,
operators and managers of ships entitled to fly their flag, as well
as the shipboard personnel employed or engaged on such ships, to act
accordingly taking into account the guidance provided in resolution MSC.324(89) and the Organization's
current recommendations to Governments and guidance to shipowners
and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on preventing and suppressing
acts of piracy and armed robbery against shipsfootnote.
6 Intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations
with consultative status are also invited to consider the Best Management
Practices and other guidance detailed in paragraph 5 above, and to
advise their membership to act accordingly.
7 Member Governments and intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations with consultative status are invited
to consider bringing the results of the experience gained from using
the Best Management Practices, as set out in annex 2, to the attention
of the Committee.
8 MSC.1/Circ.1337 is hereby revoked.