Main Objectives of the ISM Code for the Shipping Industry
The objectives of the ISM Code are to ensure safety at sea and in all marine industries, prevent loss of life, and avoid negative impacts on the environment in general and the marine environment in particular.
The ISM Code was created in the 1980s following serious marine accidents resulting in loss of life, ship damage, and environmental pollution. These accidents were caused by human error on board and management errors on the ground. The maritime sector requires a comprehensive review to prevent such incidents from happening repeatedly.
Therefore, the main objectives of the ISM Code today are to establish international standards and rules for the safe management and operation of ships and the prevention and control of pollution. These rules are written in broad language and can be applied in various situations. Different levels of management, both on land and at sea, require different levels of experience and understanding of the above elements.
What is an Information Security Management System (ISMS)?
An Information Security Management System (ISMS) is a structured approach to managing sensitive company information to ensure its confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It is designed to create a structured framework for identifying, assessing, and managing information security risks.
The primary goal of an Information Security Management System (ISMS) is to protect an organization’s information assets from security threats, such as cyberattacks, unauthorized access, and security incidents. By implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS), an organization can ensure appropriate controls are in place to reduce risk and meet the security requirements of various stakeholders, including customers, partners, and regulators.
An ISMS also provides a comprehensive approach to information security that includes technical measures, organizational controls, physical controls, and access control policies.
By continually monitoring and improving its Information Security Management System (ISMS), an organization can ensure that its security measures remain effective and meet evolving security threats and business needs.
What are the three security goals of an Information Security Management System (ISMS)?
The three security goals of an Information Security Management System (ISMS) are confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Confidentiality refers to protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access and disclosure. This includes personal and company data. Threats to confidentiality include unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyberattacks. Strategies to achieve confidentiality include implementing access control policies, using encryption and password protection, and regularly training employees on data protection practices. Benefits of confidentiality include maintaining trust with customers and partners, complying with privacy laws, and protecting intellectual property.
Integrity means ensuring the accuracy and completeness of information and preventing unauthorized changes. Security threats include data tampering, malicious modifications, and unauthorized changes. Achieving integrity includes implementing security controls, ensuring data backups, and regularly testing and validating data. Benefits of maintaining integrity include confidence in data accuracy, protection against fraud or data tampering, and compliance with industry regulations.
Availability refers to ensuring that information and systems can be accessed and operated when needed. Threats to availability include system failures, natural disasters, and cyberattacks. Achieving availability includes implementing backup systems, investing in redundancy and failover measures, and performing regular maintenance and updates. Benefits of maintaining availability include uninterrupted business operations, customer satisfaction, and minimal downtime.
By focusing on these three security goals, organizations can create a strong, comprehensive information management system to protect their information assets and mitigate the risks associated with data breaches and other security incidents.
Objectives of the ISM Code in the Shipping Industry
The main objectives of the ISM Code in the Shipping Industry are to:
- Ensure safety at sea around the world.
- Prevent injury or death to people at sea.
- Avoid negative impacts on the environment.
- Take care of the marine environment and property.
Guide to Sewage Treatment Plant on Ship
The ISM Code defines the following safety management objectives for companies:
- Ensure safe ship operations and working conditions.
- Take measures to counter any identified threats.
Continuously improve the safety management capabilities of personnel on land and board. These capabilities include the ability to prepare for environmental and safety emergencies.
According to the ISM Code, the crew safety and management system on board ships must ensure:
- Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The rules, principles, and standards adopted by organizations, departments, classification societies, and marine industry groups must be followed.
Who must comply with the ISM Code?
All commercially registered yachts with over 500 gross tons must comply with the ISM Code. Commercial vessels under 500 gross tons but over 24 meters in length must use the “Mini-ISM System,” a safety management system that meets the standards of the flag state.
Creating an effective safety management system can be complex, so hiring experienced management software experts is necessary. The relevant flag states where the ship sails, accepts Divergent Yachting’s SMS, and provides a compliance document (DOC) allowing Divergent Yachting to operate the ISM system.
Although SMS is not mandatory for private vessels below 500 GT, we see more and more private yachts choosing to comply voluntarily to improve the overall safety and environmental standards on board. Therefore, safety management based on the ISM code is also essential for them. According to the requirements and objectives of the ISM Code, all shipowners or shipping companies must have a sound ship management system.
