As fatigue management, crewing and seafarers rest feature increasingly on the international regulatory agenda, BIMCO is asking the industry to share practical experience on challenges and best practices related to operational crewing and compliance with work and rest hour requirements. The survey will help BIMCO build balanced evidence on how these issues are managed in practice, supporting its wider work on seafarers and maritime workforce sustainability, as well as its engagement in IMO discussions.

BIMCO has launched a new industry survey to gather practical experience on operational crewing levels and compliance with work and rest hour requirements.

The survey aims to build a clearer picture of how crewing levels, workload, rest hour compliance, recording practices and compliance monitoring are managed in practice across different ship types, trades and operational patterns. It seeks to capture both where current arrangements work well and where practical challenges may arise.

Fatigue management, adequate rest and operational crewing are directly linked to safe ship operation. The survey is therefore intended to help BIMCO contribute to ongoing regulatory discussions with practical evidence from those operating ships.

The initiative forms part of BIMCO’s wider work on seafarers and maritime workforce sustainability, including its seafarer campaign and strengthened focus on supporting the maritime workforce. It is also particularly timely as discussions continue at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on fatigue, work and rest hours, crewing and the implementation of relevant safety-related requirements.
BIMCO’s objective is to ensure that its engagement in these discussions is informed by balanced evidence from members and reflects operational realities. The survey does not seek to predetermine whether existing arrangements are adequate or inadequate. Rather, it is intended to help BIMCO understand how requirements are implemented in practice and where industry experience may support proportionate and workable approaches.

The survey also seeks views on where further support may be useful, including practical guidance, templates, member exchange or evidence-based input to IMO discussions.

Source: BIMCO