IMO - Solas Chapter V Regulation 19.2
At its 86th session from May 26 to June 5, 2009, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee approved new regulations for the mandatory carriage requirements of ECDIS.
2.1 All ships irrespective of size shall have:
2.1.4 Nautical charts and nautical publications to plan and display the ship’s route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage; an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) may be accepted as meeting the chart carriage requirements of this subparagraph
2.1.5 Back-up arrangements to meet the functional requirements of subparagraph 2.1.4, if this function is partly or fully fulfilled by electronic means.
The amendment to SOLAS Chapter V regulation 19.2 will require ships engaged on international voyages to be fitted with ECDIS according to the following timetable:
ECDIS Compliance Dates
ECDIS Implementation Schedule
Note: Ships may be exempt from the requirements if they will be taken permanently out of service within two years after the implementation date specified.
An amendment to the existing Chapter V regulation 19.2.1.4 was also made to reflect that ECDIS is an acceptable alternative to nautical charts and nautical publications. However, it stipulates that it is appropriate to use only nautical charts and publications in a number of cases – for example ships not on international voyages, ships exempt from the carriage requirements because they were to be permanently taken out of service and cargo ships on international voyages but below the agreed tonnage limit.
Download ECDIS Regulations