This publication aims to assist ship owners and operators regarding the new SOLAS requirement that comes in force on January 1st, 2012 for emergency towing procedures of existing ships. More specifically, an emergency towing procedure shall be implemented on all cargo ships above 500 GT constructed before 1 January 2010 by the end of current year. According to MSC.256(840), adopted on May 16, 2008: “Ships shall be provided with a shipspecific emergency towing procedure. Such a procedure shall be carried abroad the ships for use in emergency situations and shall be based on existing arrangements and equipment available onboard the ship”. It is important to note that this requirement was already in force for all passenger ships and has been implemented on January 1st, 2010 and cargo ships constructed on or after 1 January 2010. Nevertheless, tankers of deadweight 20,000 tonnes and more shall also comply with this new requirement.