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SR GSHIPPING REGULATIONS & GUIDANCE

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Summary of MSC 97 November 2016

ContentsIntroduction ................................................................................................................................................ 2Amendments adopted ................................................................................................................................. 2Circulars approved ..................................................................................................................................... 3Amendments approved ............................................................................................................................... 4Measures to enhance maritime security ..................................................................................................... 4Goal based standards (GBS)........................................................................................................................ 4Piracy and armed robbery against ships..................................................................................................... 4Carriage of industrial personnel ................................................................................................................ 5Other discussions and decisions ................................................................................................................. 5Future Outputs ............................................................................................................................................ 6

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Introduction

From the 21st to the 25th November, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) met for its 97th session at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters in London. The safe carriage of industrial personnel, the need to enhance maritime security, amendments to SOLAS and the further development of goal based standards guidelines were among the subjects discussed.

An overview of the week’s events is given here.

Amendments adopted

The following amendments to chapters in the ‘Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea’ (SOLAS) were adopted, with an entry into force date of 1st January 2020:

• Chapter II-1 – Construction – Subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installation• Chapter II-1/ Regulation 3-12 – Protection against noise• Chapter II-2/ Regulation 1 and 10 – Fire-Fighting • Chapter XI-1/ Regulation 2-1 – Harmonisation of survey periods of cargo ships not subject to the ESP Code.

The following amendments were adopted to various Codes, which are mandatory under the SOLAS Convention:

• ‘The International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code) – Chapter 13 – Means of Escape’ amended. Entry into force on 1st January 2020

• ‘The International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) – Chapter 3.25 – Fire integrity requirements for wheelhouse windows’ amended. Entry into force on 1st January 2020

• ‘The International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers’ (ESP Code). Various survey requirements including thickness measurement amended. Entry into force on 1st January 2018

• ‘The International Code on Intact Stability’ (2008 IS Code). Amendments to parts A and B of the code with regards to anchor handling, lifting operations and towing operations, including escort towing. Entry into force on 1st January 2020.

The following amendments were adopted to the ‘International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers’ (STCW) and the STCW Code, with an entry into force date of 1st July 2018:

• ‘STCW Convention – Chapter 1 – General Provisions’ (new definitions for Polar Code and waters)• ‘STCW Convention – Chapter 5 – Special training requirements’ (amendments to V/2 - mandatory minimum requirements

and a new regulation V/4 - on minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters and deck officers on ships operating in polar waters)

• ‘STCW Code’ – special training requirements for polar waters and for those operating on passenger ships.

In addition, amendments to the ‘General provisions on ships’ routeing’ on establishing multiple structures at sea, were adopted (confirming decision by the Assembly), with an expected entry into force date of 1st January 2018.

MSC 97 also adopted the MSC resolution on ‘Interim recommendations for the carriage of liquefied hydrogen in bulk and explanatory notes’.

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Circulars approved MSC 97 approved the following circulars:

• The MSC-MEPC.5 joint circular on the ‘Unified Interpretation of the expiration date of statutory certificates’ and an MSC circular on advice for parties, administrations, Port State control authorities and recognised organisations on action to be taken, in cases where not all seafarers are carrying certificates and endorsements that meet the 2010 Manilla Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code, which take effect on 1st January 2017.

• the MSC-MEPC.5 circular on the ‘Polar Code-related amendments to the Survey Guidelines’ (subject to concurrent decision by the MEPC, considering that the amendments will be incorporated into the draft Assembly resolution on the Survey Guidelines under the HSSC). In addition, an MSC circular will also be issued on clarifying the requirements related to the initial and subsequent maintenance surveys as required by the Polar Code

• the MSC-MEPC.4 joint circular on ‘Guidelines for Port State Control Officers with regards to the ISM Code'

• the FAL.2-MEPC.1-MSC.1 circular on ‘List of certificates and documents required to be carried on board ships’

• an MSC circular on the ‘Revised unified interpretation of SOLAS regulation V/23.3.3 on Pilot transfer arrangements’ (this prescribes an operational instruction that limits the climb to not more than nine metres on a single ladder regardless of the trim or list of the ship)

• an MSC circular on ‘Amendments to the LRIT Technical documentation, Part I’ (MSC.1/Circ.1259/Rev.7)

• an MSC circular on ‘Amendments to the International SafetyNet Manual’ (MSC.1.Circ.1364/Rev.1)

• an MSC circular on ‘Amendments to the NAVTEX Manual’ (MSC.1/Circ.1403/Rev.1)

• an MSC circular on ‘Navigational warnings concerning operations endangering the safety of navigation’ (with regards to unannounced missile launches by the DPRK)

• an MSC circular on amendments to the ‘Guidelines on alternative design and arrangements for fire safety’ (MSC/Circ.1002)• an MSC circular on ‘Shipboard escape route signs and emergency equipment markings’ (encouraging the use of ISO standard

series signs)• two MSC circulars on ‘Unified Interpretation of chapter 8 and 9 of the FSS Code’• an MSC circular on ‘Various Unified Interpretations of SOLAS chapter II-2’ and also with regards to the fire-protection

requirements which are applicable to cargo carrying spaces containing vehicles• an MSC circular clarifying ‘The suitable means for the calibration of portable atmosphere testing instruments as in SOLAS

regulation XI-1/7’• amendments to MSC.1/Circ.1490 to allow battery operated lights as a means of illumination arrangements for remotely

located survival craft.

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Amendments approved

MSC approved the following amendments:

• The draft amendments to the ‘International Code for the Safety of Ships using Gas or other Low-Flashpoint Fuels’ (IGF Code) to ensure A-0 window requirements correspond with those of the IGC Code. Considered for adoption at MSC 98

• the draft amendments to ‘SOLAS Regulation II-2/9.4.1.3’ on small passenger ship lifesaving appliances. Considered for adoption at MSC 98

• the draft amendments to the 1994 and 2000 ‘High Speed Craft (HSC) Codes’, with regards to the carriage of rescue boats and equipment for rescuing a casualty in a horizontal, or near-horizontal position (however see the other section below, with regards to early implementation). Considered for adoption at MSC 98

• the draft amendments to the ‘IMSBC Code’ with regards to HME (harmful to marine environment) cargoes and with regards to cargo transportable moisture limit (TML). Considered for adoption at MSC 98

• the draft amendments to ‘SOLAS regulations II-2/20.2’ and ‘II-2/20-1’ on fire protection requirements for cargo spaces containing vehicles.

Measures to enhance maritime security

It was decided that further decisions will take place at MSC 98 on the draft ‘Guidelines on maritime cyber risk management’, following finalisation by the Facilitation Committee (FAL). Until such time ship owners, ship managers and ship’s officers should utilise the industry best practice guides currently available.

Goal based standards (GBS)

Goal based standards (GBS) for ship construction were discussed at MSC 97. Improvements on the ‘Guidelines for verification of conformity with goal-based ship construction standards for bulk carriers and oil tankers’ (the GBS Verification Guidelines) were considered. It was decided that amendments to parts A and B of the guidelines will be finalised at MSC 98 and 100, respectively.

Piracy and armed robbery against ships

Despite a reduction in overall attacks, piracy and armed robbery remain an ongoing threat, particularly in West Africa, the Gulf of Aden and parts of Asia. It was noted that there were 145 incidents from September 2015 to September 2016, down from 223 incidents in the 2014-2015 year. ReCAAP-ISC reported an overall downward trend in all incidents, however incidents of crew kidnappings in some parts of Asia has increased.

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Carriage of industrial personnel

MSC 97 considered in depth the need for a new mandatory instrument for addressing safety standards for the carriage of more than 12 industrial personnel on board vessels engaged in international voyages. This was in regards to offshore industry transportation, specifically with regards to the construction and maintenance of wind farms. It was decided that a new chapter of SOLAS (Chapter XV) will be developed, with a supporting Code also to be developed. The expected entry into force of this new draft chapter and code will most likely be 2024, but may be as early as 2022.

It was agreed that industrial personnel will not be considered as passengers under the definition of SOLAS.

In the meantime, until the convention and code are ready, MSC agreed that an "interim solution is required and MSC drafted "interim recommendations on the safe carriage of more than 12 industrial personnel on board vessels engaged in international voyages".

Other discussions and decisions

MSC 97 did not adopt amendments to SOLAS that require the modification of the formula on subdivision R, relating to damage stability (II-1/6).

The safety aspects of the implementation of the worldwide cap of 0.50% sulphur fuel content with regard to the use of low-flashpoint fuels were discussed at MSC 97. MSC invited MEPC to provide the relevant information to MSC 98.

The revisions of the draft guidelines on minimum propulsion will be considered at MEPC 71, with a view to revision and approval at MSC 98.

The increasing number of circulars which encourage early implementation of amendments was discussed. Some concerns were raised over the Port State control difficulties that arise from compliance with SOLAS amendments before the entry into force date has occurred. It was decided that MSC 98 will consider potential guidelines for future amendments and the implementation process.

The MSC circulars on the ‘Acceptance of use of butterfly valves on cargo ships’, ‘The early implementation of amendments to the HSC Code’ and on the ‘Exemption for new and existing ships from the requirement to have on board foam-type extinguishers of 135l capacity’ were all deferred for discussion at MSC 98.

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Harry HarrisTechnical Advisor Marine Compliance & RegulationsNovember 2016

Future Outputs

MSC 97 discussed several proposals for future new outputs of work. These included:

• The need to refine fire safety on RoRo passenger vessels. This is expected to be a large project and a roadmap will be drafted for assessment at MSC 98

• the need for new requirements on the ventilation of survival craft, specifically with regard to totally enclosed lifeboats and the necessary amendments to the LSA code, with a view to entry into force in January 2020

• the need for guidelines for launching of freefall lifeboats• the need for new guidelines for the safe mooring operations of all ships• the need to review GMDSS and also navigational equipment requirements, in light of technological change• the need to incorporate guidance on floating armouries into existing outputs on security• the need for additional performance and test standards in support of the implementation of the Polar Code.

IntroductionAmendments adoptedCirculars approvedAmendments approvedMeasures to enhance maritime securityGoal based standards (GBS)Piracy and armed robbery against shipsCarriage of industrial personnelOther discussions and decisionsFuture Outputs