SHIP MANAGEMENT

SAFETY MANAGEMENT

Toko Line has structured its Safety Management System under the International Safety Management Code (ISM Code) and was awarded Certification by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, known as ClassNK. Based on the Safety Management System, shoreside staff and seafarers of the Ship Department adhere to safety of human life, safe navigation of ocean-going vessels and environmental observation at sea.

RISK MANAGEMENT

In the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Appendix of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) which aims to enhance safety of merchant ships has been amended and thus the International Ship & Port Facilities Security Code (ISPS Code) took effect on July 1, 2004.
We build up our security measures through making up the Ship Security Plan (SSP) based on the ISPS Code and achieving the International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC).

Treating ballast water appropriately

When ships are operated without carrying cargoes on board, ballast water (seawater) is filled into their dedicated ballast tanks for securing their safe navigation. However, seawater contains microorganisms and other sea creatures. As such, when ballast water is discharged in waters that are different from those from which it is taken in, it could have an adverse impact on the marine ecosystem of the waters in which it is released.

In compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention) and governments' strict regulations, we exchange ballast water in outer waters 50 to 200 nautical miles from shore and 200 meters or more deep in order to conserve the marine environment.

Using eco-friendly, biodegradable lubricant oil for stern tubes

We have taken measures to prevent lubricant oil for stern tube bearing from leaking. In addition, from newbuildings completed in 2008, we have been using a new type of lubricant oil that would be decomposed into water and carbon dioxide (CO2) by microorganisms in a short period of time even if it is spilled into the ocean.

Using organotin-free antifouling coating agent for hull bottoms

When shellfish, seaweed and other marine creatures adhere to ship bottoms, they generate resistance to propulsion, lowering fuel efficiency. To prevent this, previously, ship's bottom paint containing organotin that was highly effective in keeping ship hulls from being fouled were used extensively.

However, due to fear of adverse impacts that organotin could have on human being and marine animals, the IMO has adopted a convention which requires ban on the use after January 2003 of organotin-based bottom paint, complete removal of the organotin-based paint and measures to prevent organotin-based paint already applied to ship hulls from being dissolved in seawater.

Ahead of the implementation of the convention, from newbuildings completed in 1996 and ships repaired since then, we have been using ecologically friendly coating agents that do not contain organotin.