The European Commission is allowing shipowners to use coronavirus restrictions as a reason for delaying compliance with new hazardous materials restrictions.
The European Union executive body has decided to allow a six-month grace period on its Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) regulation in response to an outcry from shipping industry stakeholders.
Bimco and other groups had complained that many will have no way of meeting the demanding reporting requirements for EU-flagged ships or any vessels calling at EU ports and anchorages.
