International Chamber of Shipping develops and promotes shipping industry best practices and guidance through a wide range of publications and free resources that are used by ship operators globally.
You can download most publications from the list below for free and purchase the paid-for publications from our ICS bookshop.
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This document sets out principles for providing shore leave during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It contains information on the international maritime obligations surrounding the provision of shore leave by state authorities and shipowners, and for seafarers.
To protect the health of seafarers, passengers and the general public, and to minimise disruptions to trade and global supply chains, vaccination of seafarers is considered highly preferable alongside appropriate quarantine, COVID-19 safe travel and other measures required by flag, port and labour supply countries. This updated roadmap provides a framework to help promote the establishment of national vaccination sites and local vaccination programmes dedicated to seafarers.
The third edition of the COVID-19 vaccination practical guide for seafarers and shipping companies provides up-to-date and relevant information regarding vaccinations for seafarers and includes answers to important questions on availability and efficacy of vaccinations for ship crew and shipping companies.
Fifth edition of the updated guidance document written for the global shipping industry to help understand and combat the spread of COVID-19. This comprehensive document has been produced in collaboration with experts from leading international bodies. The fifth edition contains up-to-date and relevant information regarding all aspects of COVID-19 that effect seafarers and shipping companies.
The new ICS Bridge Procedures Guide has been written to reflect the rapid technological advances taking place in the shipping industry and to equip users to deal with the digital transformation taking place on the bridge. For over 40 years, this bestselling Guide has reflected and defined current best practice on the bridges of merchant ships operating in all sectors and trades. Now in its sixth edition, it is widely acknowledged as the leading industry guidance on safe bridge procedures and is a recommended carriage on all vessels by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
This guidance is intended to remind seafarers and companies of the vital importance of adhering to the rules and established procedures concerning the provision of safe boarding arrangements for pilots. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) have produced this guidance in collaboration with industry partners; BIMCO, CLIA, IG P&I, IFSMA, INTERCARGO, ITF and The Nautical Institute.
This Guidance addresses legal, liability and insurance issues that could potentially arise for shipowners from or in connection with vaccinations of crew for coronavirus (COVID-19). It provides guidance on best employment practice to protect against such liabilities and information on insurance cover for such liabilities under the shipowner’s standard Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance.
Using detailed, step by step checklists, the Cyber Security Workbook for On Board Ship Use provides a ship’s Security Officer with the practical skills to identify cyber risks and to protect vulnerable onboard systems. It also gives guidance on how best to detect, respond and recover in the event of a cyber attack.
These guidelines have been produced to help shipping companies choose reputable manning agencies and to ensure that seafarers are recruited in line with the requirements of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC, 2006).
Shipping companies should take a mental health emergency as seriously as a physical one. A seafarer experiencing a mental health crisis might feel no longer able to cope. This is particularly true in the current pandemic. This document has tools to help shipping companies, Masters and seafarers handle such a situation and to spot suicidal behaviour.
