The ISM Code must be applied to Mobile Offshore Drilling Units of 500 GT or more no later than which year?

The International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which establishes a framework for safety management systems aboard ships and offshore units, mandates compliance for certain vessels by specific deadlines. The application of the ISM Code to Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) with a gross tonnage of 500 GT or more was required by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance safety and environmental protection.

The correct date of 2002 highlights the implementation timelines set forth by the ISM Code. The code was adopted in 1993, with a phased approach to compliance for various types of vessels. By establishing the date of 2002 for MODUs, the IMO aimed to ensure that these units adhered to similar safety management standards as other vessels, thus promoting safer operations and reducing the risks associated with offshore drilling activities.

The surrounding context for the dates leading up to 2002 reveals that earlier years were allocated to other types of vessels or did not encompass all vessel types, allowing the maritime industry to adjust gradually. This systematic rollout was intended to ensure that both ship owners and operators could align their operations with the new standards effectively.