The purpose of the ISM code is to provide an international standard for the safe management and operation for ships and for pollution prevention. The code was adopted by IMO assembly resolution A.741 (18) on the 4th of November 1993.
The code was given legal force in may 1994 by IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee when it was incorporated into a new chapter IX of SOLAS 1974. Implementation is mandatory according to an agreed schedule.
The code has its greatest impact on shipping and ship management companies, for it is their management systems that have to meet the Code’s requirements. The level of impact will depend on the quality of the existing safety management system.
For some companies, who may have neglected safety and environmental protection in the past, this will result in significant changes, whereas for others, who may already have an effective safety management system, there may be no change at all.
Document of Compliance (DOC)
Means a document issued to a Company, which complies with the requirements of the ISM Code |
Safety Management Certificate (SMC)
Means a document issued to a ship, which signifies that, the Company and its shipboard management operates in accordance with the approved SMS |
Download Forms:
ISM Application form
Head Office Contact Point:
I.N.S.B. – ISM / ISPS Systems Dept
