IMO MSC 97 Considered and adopted Amendments to Mandatory Instruments

11/05/2017

The Committee on Maritime Safety had its ninety seventh session (MSC 97) from 21 November to 25 November 2016, which took place in the IMO headquarters in London. This report provides an overview on main points and results on the agenda items discussed. The Committee had adopted:

1. amendments to regulation II-1/3-12 and chapters II-2 and XI-1 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention (Resolution MSC.409(97), with an entry into force on 1/01/2020); The amendment to II-1/3-12 corrects the application of the regulation (on Protection against noise). The amendment to II-2/1 and II-2/10 deletes the requirement for a 135 l foam extinguisher for boilers protected by fixed water-based local application fire-extinguishing systems. The amendment to XI-1 harmonises survey periods of cargo ships not subject to the ESP Code.

2. amendment to the FSS Code chapter 13 (Resolution MSC.410(97), with an entry into force on 1/01/2020) which clarifies that the cas 2 of the escape calculations should be with Passengers in public spaces occupied to 3/4 of maximum capacity, service spaces occupied by 1/3 of the crew and crew accommodation occupied by 1/3 of the crew;

3. an amendment to paragraph 3.2.5 of the IGC Code, that cancels the requirement for A0 wheelhouse windows (Resolution MSC.411(97), with an entry into force on 1/01/2020 and a circular on notification of an amendment to correct 3.2.5 of the Code);

4. amendments to the 2011 ESP Code to align it wit IACS relevant URs (Resolution MSC.412(97), with an entry into force on 1/07/2018);

5. amendments to the introduction and part A of the 2008 IS Code (Resolutions MSC.413 & 414(97), with an entry into force on 1/01/2020);

6. amendments to part B of the 2008 IS Code (Resolution MSC.415(97) that will take effect on 1 January 2020 );

7. regarding ships engaged in anchor handling operations;

8. amendments to the 1978 STCW Convention (Resolution MSC.416(97), with an entry into force on 1/01/2020);

9. amendments to part A of the 1978 STCW Code (Resolution MSC.417(97), with an entry into force on 1/01/2020);

10. amendments to part B of the 1978 STCW Code;

11. to take into account the Polar Code.

The Resolutions, noting that there will be a transitional period between the entry into force of the Polar Code and the amendments to the STCW Convention, urge Parties to implement the amendments and invite Parties to recognise seafarers certificates issued by a Party at an early stage prior to the entry into force of amendments.

Further to an extensive debate on a proposal to modify the formula for the required subdivision index R set out in the draft SOLAS regulation II-1/6 for smaller ships, the Committee agreed to hold the adoption of the draft amendments to SOLAS chapter II-1 on subdivision and damage stability of passenger ships regulations in abeyance until MSC 98 (except those to SOLAS regulation II-1/3-12 on Protection against noise). This would still allow the amendments to SOLAS chapter II-1, if adopted at the next session, to enter into force as planned, i.e. on 1 January 2020.

The Committee approved draft amendments to paragraph 11.3.2 of the IGF Code, as set out in the annex to WP;9, aligning the fire integrity requirements for wheelhouse windows specified in paragraph 11.3.2 of the IGF Code with the amendments to paragraph 3.2.5 of the IGC Code (as amended) and those in SOLAS chapter II-2 (i.e. no requirement for A0 integrity of wheelhouse windows).

Goal-based new ship construction standards:

In receiving the report of its working group on this agenda item, the Committee:

1. noted the progress made by the Group on the preparation of draft amendments to the GBS Verification Guidelines;

2. endorsed the Group s recommendation to invite Member States and international organizations to submit proposals related to the concept of an ongoing systematic verification of rules, i.e. "Periodic verification", in the Revised GBS Verification Guidelines;

3. endorsed the Group s view that the remaining work concerning the amendments to the GBS Verification Guidelines should focus on unresolved issues and those issues yet to be considered;

4. approved the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the implementation of the GBS verification scheme;

5. noted the information and data available, including the experience gained during the initial verification audits in relation to the financial arrangements in place;

6. noted the views expressed by the auditors after the initial verification audits regarding financial matters;

7. endorsed the Group s recommendation to invite Member States and international organizations to submit proposals regarding financial arrangements for the maintenance of verification.

Mandatory instrument and/or provisions addressing safety standards for the carriage of more than 12 industrial personnel on board vessels engaged on international voyages (item 6, WP.7)

The Committee:

1. adopted the MSC resolution on Interim Recommendations on the safe carriage of more than 12 industrial personnel on board vessels engaged on international voyages;

This resolution defines industrial personnel as all persons who are transported or accommodated on board for the purpose of offshore industrial activities performed on board other vessels and/or other offshore facilities, and recommends that concerned ships should meet the provisions of the 2008 SPS Code or other standards, providing they meet an equivalent level of safety acceptable to the Administration, taking into consideration the number of persons on board.

2. approved the roadmap for further developments, which foresees the adoption of the new SOLAS Chapter XV and of the new Industrial Personnel Code in 2020, for entry into force in 2024.

Some New items added

1- Review SOLAS chapter II-2 and associated codes to minimise the incidence and consequences of fires on ro-ro spaces and special category spaces of new and existing ro-ro passenger ships (for SSE).

2- Develop new requirements for ventilation of survival craft (for SSE).

3- Review and amend the Model agreement for the authorization of recognised organizations acting on behalf of the Administration (for III).

Next sessions

MSC 98 is scheduled from 7 to 16 June 2017 and MSC 99 in May 2018.

Author: HTQT,VR