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The Maritime Industry Authority issued new rules on proper cargo stowage for Philippine-registered ships engaged in international voyages
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MARINA Circular No. MS-2025-01 seeks to minimize risk to the ship and its personnel
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The circular applies to all cargo-carrying Philippine-registered ships engaged in international voyages, except those carrying solid, liquid, and gas cargoes in bulk, and timber stowed on deck
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has issued new rules on proper cargo stowage for Philippine-registered ships engaged in international voyages.
Contained in MARINA Circular (MC) No. MS-2025-01 approved on July 11, the guidelines aim to minimize risk to the ship and its personnel, as well as to foster the safe operation of Philippine-registered ships engaged in international voyages.
The guidelines are in accordance with regulations of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974, as amended, and ratified by the Philippines.
MC MS-2025-01 applies to all cargo-carrying Philippine-registered ships engaged in international voyages, except those carrying solid, liquid, and gas cargoes in bulk, and timber stowed on deck.
It adopts the Code of Safe Practices for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code) under the IMO Resolution A.714 (17) and its subsequent amendments. Adopted in 1991, the CSS Code provides international standards on the promotion of safe stowage and securing of cargoes.
Companies whose ships are 500 gross tonnage (GT) and above and carrying cargo units should submit a Cargo Securing Manual (CSM) consistent with the rules under MC MS-2025-01, the CCS Code, and Trim and Stability Calculation of the ship, to MARINA’s recognized organization (RO) for approval.
Companies whose ships are below 500 GT and carrying cargo units may also prepare and submit a CSM appropriate to the characteristics of their ship and its intended/approved type of service.
All Philippine-registered ships covered by MC MS-2025-01 should have their approved CSM available on board at all times.
Once approved, the CSM for a particular ship should remain valid unless there are major changes that have been made on the general structure and intended use of the ship. An amendment of the CSM should be submitted for review, evaluation, and approval of MARINA’s ROs.
Freight containers should not be loaded to more than the maximum gross weight indicated on the Safety Approval Plate under the International Convention for Safe Containers, as amended.
Prior to shipment, the shipper should provide all necessary information about the cargo to enable the shipowner or ship operator to ensure that, among others, the cargo is suitable for the ship and vice versa, and the cargo can be safely stowed and secured on board the ship and transported under all expected conditions during the voyage.
The master of the vessel should also be provided with adequate information regarding the cargo to be carried so that its stowage may be properly planned for handling and transport.
ROs should verify that every covered ship has complied with the requirements of MC MS-2025-01.
Philippine-registered ships covered by the MC will also be subjected to flag state inspection.
The shipping company and the master of the vessel covered by MC MS-2025-01 will be jointly responsible and liable for violations or non-compliance with policies under the MC and will be subject to administrative fines and/or penalties after due process.
Non-compliance of Section V (Specific provisions) items 1 and 2 will be fined P500,000 per violation plus suspension of Safety Certificate, if warranted, until compliance. Non-compliance to Section VIII (responsibilities) relative to any requirements on the responsibility of the company, the master and cargo officer will be fined P500,000 plus additional audit by MARINA and/or its RO within the period of three months. – Roumina Pablo
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