Fire Drill Guidelines for Vehicle Carrying Vessels
These guidelines have been designed to provide a structured framework for the development and conduct of fire response drills on board vehicle carrying vessels.
Publications: Guidelines, tools and workbooks
ICS promotes and supports shipping industry best practices through guidelines, tools and workbooks that are used by shipping companies globally.
You can download most publications from the list below for free and purchase the paid-for publications from our ICS bookshop.
Selected Publications - Positions, Reports and Papers
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Showing 1 – 10 of 118 results
Biofouling, Biosecurity and Hull Cleaning, Third Edition
This fully illustrated publication describes in detail the problems that biofouling can cause to ship operations and the marine environment. It examines the use of anti-fouling systems to prevent the build-up of biofouling as well as the options available for ship cleaning, in particular the importance of in-water cleaning. It also sets out the revised 2023 IMO Biofouling Guidelines, specific regional mandatory biofouling requirements and the mandatory IMO AFS Convention. It also provides data sheets on a number of hull cleaning companies worldwide.
Cyber Security Workbook for On Board Ship Use, Eighth Edition
This practical and easy to understand workbook supports the owner, master and the ship's crew with cyber security risk management. It contains comprehensive checklists to support the day-to-day management of onboard cyber security and facilitates collaboration between ships, onshore IT departments and equipment manufacturers.
Shipping and the Environment: A Guide to Environmental Compliance, Sixth Edition
By explaining the relationship between shipping and the environment, this guide helps crew and shoreside staff understand not only what environmental requirements are in place but why these regulations matter.
Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals), Sixth Edition
The Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals), Sixth Edition is the trusted publication for chemical tankers. The new edition translates MARPOL Annex II regulations into practical procedures for safe and environmentally responsible operations. It includes updated guidance on Annex I to Annex II cargo changeovers, safe enclosed space entry, washing water analysis, hot work zones and shore power.
Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, Fifth Edition
This Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention Fifth Edition prepares shipowners, operators and managers for the 2025 amendments to the MLC, translating complex requirements into clear, practical guidance that works on board and ashore. It supports better living and working conditions for the 1.5 million seafarers who keep global trade moving, while helping companies demonstrate compliance during inspections and audits.
Crewing Agency Guidelines
These guidelines have been produced to help shipping companies choose reputable crewing agencies and to ensure that seafarers are recruited in line with the requirements of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC, 2006).
Industry Principles for Establishing Effective Measures to Combat and Eliminate Violence and Harassment in the Maritime Sector
Drawing inspiration from an array of company policies and complementary initiatives, ICS and its global network of shipowners and operators present this set of industry principles for establishing effective measures to combat violence and harassment.
Deck Procedures Guide, First Edition
The ICS Deck Procedures Guide align with the widely used Bridge Procedures Guide and Engine Room Procedures Guide, completing an essential set of guides that enable companies to uphold the highest standards of best practice across ship operations. When used in collaboration, users can benefit from harmonised inter-departmental communications and procedures. Offering a comprehensive overview of essential deck operations, this first edition ensures that all those working on or maintaining machinery on deck are well-equipped to handle a wide range of operations.
Piracy, Armed Robbery and Conflict at Sea: 2026-27 Edition
This publication provides advice on current piracy and armed robbery hotspots as well as regions of conflict and areas of increased risk. The 2026–27 edition includes updated piracy statistics and case studies, new and updated sections on maritime terrorism and warzones/warlike areas and new material on security measures in ports. It also incorporates the latest cyber security and training updates as well as updates on international and national cooperation. Annexes, bridge cards and checklists have also been revised to reflect the latest reporting formats.