Safety & Quality in the Shipping Industry, A Legal Analysis of the ISM Code's Principles & Applications
The existing ISO 9002 standard of quality management systems being the only internationally accepted would offer companies gaining registration a position to increase their ability by meeting the requirements set out and also incorporating the requirements of the ISM code. The ISM code is based upon the ISO 9002 standard and is basically a recognised standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for the prevention of pollution. As a result many shipping companies have turned towards the so-called "quality assurance" although a great number of them have discovered the cost benefits of introducing systems of safety, documentation and management. This paper will examine a proportion of the legal implications introduced through the implementation of the ISM code on ship-owning and ship-managing companies by illustrating some previous and recent cases of English and U.S. law. Suffice to say that safety and environmental protection is cot only a matter for the ship owner. Other parties such as classification societies, P & I clubs, banks and insurance companies will play their role and must assure their responsibilities with regard to safety matters.