MSC 106 “CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO MANDATORY INSTRUMENTS”

The 106th session of the Maritime Safety Committee was held from 2 to 11 November 2022, chaired by Mrs. Mayte Medina (United States). The Vice-Chair of the Committee, Mr. Theofilos Mozas (Greece), was also present. A brief of the meeting outcomes in relation to the adopted mandatory instruments, has been mentioned in this article.

Based on the discussions and reviews of the submitted agendas to this session, the member states of the 1974 SOLAS Convention adopted the following amendments:

1. Amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2

The Committee confirmed the proposed amendments to chapter II-2 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, with the agreed modifications, as set out in annex 1 to document MSC 106/WP.5, subject to editorial improvements, if any.

The Committee agreed that the aforementioned draft amendments proposed for adoption at this session should be deemed to have been accepted on 1 July 2025 and enter into force on 1 January 2026.

2. New SOLAS chapter XV

New SOLAS chapter XV had been submitted to this session, the Committee confirmed its contents, as set out in annex 2 to document MSC 106/WP.5, subject to necessary modifications with respect to the terms "constructed on or after" and "similar stage of construction", and editorial improvements, if any.

The new chapter XV (Safety measures for ships carrying industrial personnel) is added after the existing chapter XIV (Safety measures for ships operating in polar waters).

Industrial personnel (IP) means all persons who are transported or accommodated on board for the purpose of offshore industrial activities performed on board other ships and/or offshore facilities.

The Committee agreed that the new SOLAS chapter XV proposed for adoption at this session should be deemed to have been accepted on 1 January 2024 and enter into force on 1 July 2024, as an exemption from the four-year SOLAS amendment cycle, in accordance with the Guidance (MSC.1/Circ.1481).

3. Amendments to the 1978 SOLAS protocol

The Committee confirmed the amendment on 1978 SOLAS protocol, as set out in annex 8 to document MSC 106/WP.5, subject to editorial improvements, if any.

Based on this amendment, a new edition of the international cargo ship safety equipment certificate has been replaced. The following image shows a raw example of this version:

The Committee agreed that the aforementioned draft amendments proposed for adoption at this session should be deemed to have been accepted on 1 July 2025 and enter into force on 1 January 2026, in accordance with the Guidance (MSC.1/Circ.1481).

4. Amendments to the IGC and IGF Codes

The Committee confirmed the proposed amendments to chapter 6 of the IGC Code and chapter 7 of part A-1 of the IGF Code, as modified, as set out in annexes 3 and 4 to document MSC 106/WP.5, respectively, subject to editorial improvements, if any.

This amendment will include amendments on the following tables based on the relevant codes:

1. IGC Code: Table 6.3 is replaced in its entirety. It includes changes on Table 6.3 on the subject of plates, sections and forgings for cargo tanks, secondary barriers and process pressure vessels for design temperatures below -55°c and down to -165°c Maximum thickness 25 mm
2. IGF Code: Table 7.3 is replaced in its entirety. It includes changes on Table 7.3 on subject of plates, sections and forgings for fuel tanks, secondary barriers and process pressure vessels for design temperatures below minus 55°c and down to minus 165°c maximum thickness 25 mm

The Committee agreed that the aforementioned draft amendments proposed for adoption at this session should be deemed to have been accepted on 1 July 2025 and enter into force on 1 January 2026, in accordance with the Guidance (MSC.1/Circ.1481).

5. Amendments to the 2011 ESP Code

The Committee confirmed their contents, as set out in annex 5 to document MSC 106/WP.5, subject to editorial improvements, if any.

Based on this amendment, for single-skin & Double-skin bulk carrier, changes are applied to annex A & B, So, if the condition of the applied hard coating of the BW tanks, other than the double- bottom tanks, is less than good condition and the coating is not repaired, the relevant tanks should be inspected during the annual inspections. This requirement was previously only foreseen for poor coating conditions.

On the other hand, amendment related to the tank testing of single and double hull oil tankers have also been applied in this code. In such a way that the mentioned test must be done during the renewal survey window.

The Committee agreed that the aforementioned draft amendments, proposed for adoption at this session, should be deemed to have been accepted on 1 January 2024 and enter into force on 1 July 2024, in accordance with the procedure for regular updates to the 2011 ESP Code agreed at MSC 92.

6. Amendments to the IBC Code

The Committee confirmed their contents, as set out in annex 6 to document MSC 106/WP.5, subject to editorial improvements, if any.

Changes have been made to chapter 2 of this code on the subject of survival requirements (paragraph 2.9), and paragraph 2.9.2.1 of this section has been replaced with a new text.

The Committee agreed that the aforementioned draft amendments, proposed for adoption at this session, should be deemed to have been accepted on 1 January 2024 and enter into force on 1 July 2024, in line with resolution MEPC.345(78) and in accordance with the Guidance (MSC.1/Circ.1481), as well as to ensure their entry into force on a date as close as possible to the identical amendments adopted under the 1988 Load Lines Protocol and the IGC Code (resolutions MSC.491(104) and MSC.492(104) refer).

7. International code of safety for ships carrying industrial personnel (IP code)

The Committee confirmed the contents of the draft new IP Code, as modified, as set out in annex 7 to document MSC 106/WP.5, subject to editorial improvements, if any.

The Committee agreed that the draft new IP Code, proposed for adoption at this session, should take effect on 1 July 2024, in conjunction with the entry into force of the related amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention.