A number of amendments to IMO regulations came into force 01 January 2008. Amendments, as detailed below, have been made to regulations concerning minimum training requirements for ship security officers; training requirements for the launching and recovery of fast rescue boats; and transport requirements for some dangerous goods cargoes.

• Minimum training requirements for ship security officers
  Amendments to the STCW convention and Code add new minimum mandatory training and certification requirements for persons to be designated as ship security officers (SSOs).
  
  The amendments to the STCW Convention and to parts A and B of the STCW Code include requirements for the issue of certificates of proficiency for ship security officers; specifications of minimum standards of proficiency for ship security officers; and guidance regarding training for ship security officers.
  
  The amendments also provide that until 1 July 2009, an STCW Party may continue to recognize personnel who hold or can document qualifications as ship security officers issued before the entry into force of the regulation.

• Fast rescue boats
  Amendments to part A of the STCW Code add additional training requirements for the launching and recovery of fast rescue boats.
  
  The amendments were adopted in response to reports of injuries to seafarers in numerous incidents involving the launching and recovery of fast rescue boats in adverse weather conditions.

• Amendments to the IMDG Code
  Amendments to the IMDG Code (Amendment 33-06) include changes relating to the requirements for transport of ethylene oxide with nitrogen up to a total pressure of 1 Mpa (10 bar) at 50ºC (UN 1040); polymeric beads (UN 2211); plastics moulding compound (UN 3314); ammonium nitrate (UN 1942) and ammonium nitrate fertilizer (UN 2067); segregation provisions for class 8 acids and alkalis when not in limited quantities; and the packaging of articles containing dangerous goods in limited quantities.

Source of information:

Innternational Maritime Organization (IMO) www.imo.org