The Tokyo MOU port-state control organisation has agreed to take a more “pragmatic and harmonised approach” towards IMO regulations due to coronavirus.

The treaty body said it “recognised” that the industry was “facing challenges” in meeting statutory requirements stipulated in Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) and relevant IMO conventions.

As a result, it said member authorities of the Tokyo MOU have agreed to adopt guidance for dealing with the circumstances, such as extending periods of service onboard of seafarers, delaying periods for surveys,...