ICS fills deck safety gap

While bridge and engine room procedures are well established through existing ICS publications, deck operations have until now lacked a single, consolidated reference.

“Deck operations are fundamental to ship safety and crews need clear, validated procedures for every scenario they face,” said John Stawpert, ICS principal director – marine.

“This guide brings that knowledge together, including newer considerations such as alternative fuels.”

The publication covers cargo handling, mooring and anchoring, bunkering, heavy weather preparation and routine maintenance, with content applicable across ship types. It also brings together guidance on compliance with the IMSBC and IMDG codes, alongside checklists and an interactive risk assessment framework designed to be adapted by individual companies.

One chapter focuses on bunkering LNG, methanol and ammonia, reflecting the industry’s gradual shift toward low- and zero-carbon fuels. That section was developed with input from operators and reviewed by the Society for Gas as Marine Fuel, recognising that many crews are now encountering unfamiliar hazards alongside traditional tasks.

The guide was developed with contributions from shipowners, managers and industry bodies including Swire Shipping, Anglo-Eastern Univan Group, MISC and Intercargo. Rather than prescribing uniform rules, it sets out best-practice approaches that companies can tailor to their own operations and risk profiles.

ICS recommends the guide be carried on board, but its audience extends ashore, including superintendents, training providers and safety teams. Framed as practical guidance rather than regulation, it is positioned as an international alternative to region-specific manuals.