The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published its Deck Procedures Guide, the first comprehensive resource dedicated to deck operations.
Together with the Bridge Procedures Guide and Engine Room Procedures Guide, it completes a trilogy aimed at harmonising best practice across all shipboard departments.
The guide covers cargo handling, mooring and anchoring, bunkering, heavy weather preparations, and equipment maintenance, with guidance on the IMSBC and IMDG Codes, interactive risk assessment tools, and adaptable checklists.
A chapter on alternative fuel bunkering addresses LNG, methanol, and ammonia, developed with operators and reviewed by the Society for Gas as Marine Fuel (SGMF).
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John Stawpert, Principal Director – Marine at ICS, said: “Deck operations are fundamental to ship safety, and crews need clear, validated procedures for every scenario they face. This guide delivers that comprehensive knowledge, from traditional practices to new considerations such as alternative fuels.”
Developed with input from Swire Shipping, Anglo-Eastern Univan Group, the Japanese Shipowners Association, MISC Group, Intercargo, and CLIA, the guide is designed to be adaptable for organisations while ensuring compliance with international codes. ICS recommends it be carried onboard every ship.
Emily Yates, Commercial Director at ICS, added: “The Deck Procedures Guide complements the Bridge and Engine Room guides, creating a harmonised set of resources that improves operational coordination and inter-departmental communication throughout the vessel.”
The guide offers an international alternative to region-specific guidance, emphasising best practice approaches to reduce deck deficiencies and enhance safety across the global fleet.
For more information:
International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) – https://www.ics-shipping.org/
