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AMSA Marine Notice 2024/01 - Reduction of Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) from shipping

SSM Roundel

Steamship Mutual

Published: April 24, 2024

AMSA has issued Marine Notice 01/2024 which draws attention to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) non-mandatory Revised guidelines for the reduction of underwater radiated noise from shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life.  The revised guidelines, MEPC.1/Circ.906, took effect on 1 October 2023, they are available from the IMO website and supersede MEPC.1/Circ. 833.

Whale - Noise

There are increasing concerns with respect to the impact of URN on marine life, such as the disruption to aquatic communications, which can be essential for survival. The revised guidelines provide updated design, technical, operational and maintenance guidance for reducing URN. Members should find that there are a number of energy efficiency and sustainability related benefits that go hand in hand with many of the operational and technical measures that can assist in addressing URN, an obvious example being speed reduction, but also cleaning of the ship’s hull and propellor polishing, which increase efficiency whilst also minimising the transfer of invasive species. 

Material Available

For further information please contact the Loss Prevention Department. Steamship Insurance Management Services Ltd. Tel: +44 20 7247 5490

Resources

IMO MEPC.1/Circ.906

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