Recently few flag states have revised the conformance test requirement taking account of IMO Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
PANAMA MARITIME AUTHORITY
Panama Maritime Authority has issued Merchant Marine Circular, MMC-195 providing revised requirements in respect of LRIT. Specifically, the requirements for Conformance Testing of LRIT has been revised.
As per the revised requirement, the conformance test for LRIT is now required to be carried annually (after one year from the initial/latest conformance test performed upon the registration of the vessel under the Panama Flag).To comply with this annual conformance test requirement, existing Panama flagged vessels are to complete the Conformance test as follows:
i. Vessels having the conformance test completed prior to December 2018, should complete the test before the end of September 2023.
ii. Vessels having the conformance test completed between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2021 should complete the test before the end of November 2023.
iii. Vessels having the conformance test completed after 1st January 2022, should complete the test before 31st December 2023.
LIBERIA MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
Liberia Maritime Administration has issued Marine Advisory No. 38/2023 providing revised requirements in respect of LRIT. Specifically, the requirements for Conformance Testing of LRIT has been revised taking into account IMO Assembly Resolution A. 1192 (33).
As per the revised requirement, commencing 01 April 2024, all Conformance Test Reports will be issued with validity not exceeding twelve (12) months from the conformance test completion date.
Accordingly, wef 1 April 2024, the annual conformance test will be required to be conducted annually based on the anniversary date of the last conformance test. To comply with this annual conformance test requirement, existing Liberia flagged vessels are to complete the Conformance test as follows:
i. Vessels having the conformance test completed between 1 April to 31 Dec (Any Year), should complete the test before 01 June 2024.
ii. Vessels having the conformance test last done 01 Jan to 31 March (Any Year) shall complete the conformance test 13 March 2025.
Any other flag notification shall be update in due course