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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 21 – 30 of 95 results

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Roadmap for Vaccination of International Seafarers, Second Edition

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.

March 2022 Guidelines | Free

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers, Fifth Edition

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.

February 2022 Guidelines | Free

Bridge Procedures Guide, Sixth Edition

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).

January 2022 Guidelines

Shipping Industry Guidance on Pilot Transfer Arrangements, Third Edition

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.

January 2022 Guidelines | Free

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Legal, Liability and Insurance Issues arising from Vaccination of Seafarers, Second Edition

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.

December 2021 Guidelines | Free

Cyber Security Workbook for On Board Ship Use, Third Edition

This third edition was withdrawn in October 2022 and replaced by the fourth edition. 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.

October 2021 Archive

Handling a Mental Health Crisis or Emergency and Spotting Suicidal Behaviour in Seafarers

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.

September 2021 Guidelines | Free

Manning Agency Guidelines

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).

September 2021 Guidelines | Free