Published on: 22 June 2023
The 107th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), was held from 31 May to 9 June 2023 with a full report available to download from the British Marine website.
The key items of interest from this meeting were the following:
Safety measures for non-SOLAS ships operating in polar waters – Polar Code amendments
The Committee adopted the draft amendments to the Polar Code, together with associated amendments to the SOLAS Convention, to incorporate new requirements non-SOLAS ships concerning the safety of navigation and voyage planning. The amendments will be applicable to fishing vessels of 24 m in length overall and above, pleasure yachts of 300 GT and upwards not engaged in trade and cargo ships of 300 GT and upwards but below 500 GT – see NCSR 9 report for full details of the amendments. The regulations are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026 for new vessels and one year later for existing vessels.
Safety of onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches
The Committee adopted new mandatory requirements for lifting appliances and anchor handling winches.
The SOLAS amendments can be found at annex 1 of the embedded reports in the full report downloadable from the British Marine website and the guidelines for anchor handling winches and lifting gear at annexes 14 and 15 respectively of the report.
The withdrawal of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) portfolio of Admiralty paper charts
In July 2022, the UKHO announced its intention to withdraw the production of paper charts. It acknowledged that there would be a need to consult stakeholders in order that they would “leave no one behind”. Based on these consultations, the decision has been made to keep paper charts in service to at least 2030 (the original intention was to remove them by 2026).
Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)
The Committee made further progress on the development of a goal-based instrument regulating the operation of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS). The draft international code of safety for maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS code) can be found at annex 1 of the report of the MASS working group in attached document MSC 107/WP.9. This code is non-mandatory and is expected to be effective from 1 July 2024. The Committee agreed that the code should apply to cargo ships only and deferred a decision on whether it should include high-speed craft until MSC 108. The code is expected to be an interim measure whilst work to develop a mandatory code is developed and which is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2028.
Enhancing the safety of ships relating to the use of oil fuel
The Committee approved guidelines for the sampling of fuel oil (subject also to approval by MEPC). The guidelines set out the method to obtain a representative sample of fuel oil intended for combustion purposes.
Development of provisions to prohibit the use of fire-fighting foams containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) for fire-fighting on board ships
The Committee adopted the amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2, and the 1994 and 2000 HSC Codes on the prohibition of PFOS. These regulations apply to fixed and portable foam fire-fighting systems containing PFOS. The regulations require that when removed from the vessel, substances containing PFOS are to be delivered to an appropriate shore-based reception facility. The regulations will be applicable to new and existing ships not later than the first survey (annual, periodical or renewal) whichever is due first, after the entry into force date of 1 January 2026.
Life jackets in-water performance
The Committee approved the draft amendments to the LSA Code Chapter 2 and the Revised Recommendations on the testing of life-saving appliances.
These amendments are designed to ensure that the lifejacket will turn the body of an unconscious person to a face-up position where nose and mouth are both clear of the water. The draft amendments are expected to be adopted at MSC 108 and to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
Electronic certificates and documents of seafarers
The Committee approved the guidelines on the use of electronic certificates and documents of seafarers as MSC.1/Circ.1665.
The full IMO report and its associated documents can be down downloaded from the British Marine Website here.