Metizoft and Viking Line Sign IHM Agreement

Viking Line operates seven cruise ships in the Baltic Sea, all of which will receive HazMat inspections and subsequent IHM updating by Metizoft. The first ship to be handled by Metizoft is M/S Viking Cinderella, which sails between Mariehamn and Stockholm.

“We see IHM maintenance as not part of our core business so we are satisfied to reach an agreement with Metizoft who has long experience in doing this as their main job”, says Fleet Manager at Viking Line, Mr. Joacim Westerlund.

Metizoft’s turnkey solution will ensure that Viking Line’s ships will comply with regulations related to the IHM throughout each ship’s lifecycle. With more than ten years of experience in the field, the company’s solution is tried and tested across several segments of the maritime industry. It’s also approved by several class societies, including DNV GL, Lloyd’s Register, ABS and Bureau Veritas.

From a shipowner’s perspective, the most cost-effective way of handling the IHM is to outsource the work to Metizoft, rather than investing in trained personnel and equipment to deal with the requirements in-house. Metizoft’s HazMat Experts are located at key locations across the globe: Norway, Singapore and Shanghai. Additionally, we have partners located in Netherlands, Scotland and France.

IHM Requirements

1. EU-flagged newbuildings are required to have onboard a verified IHM with a Statement of Compliance at the earliest by 31 December 2015 and at the latest by 31 December 2018.
   
   
2. Existing EU-flagged vessels are required to have onboard a verified IHM with a Statement of Compliance at the latest by 31 December 2020 (From 19 December 2016, all ships that are to be recycled are required to have an IHM on board).
   
   
3. Non-EU-flagged vessels calling at EU ports are also required to have onboard a verified IHM with a Statement of Compliance at the latest by 31 December 2020.