Summary of Outcomes of MSC 106

Notice to: Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators / Surveyors/ Auditors/ Service Suppliers

C22042 | 15 December 2022

Maritime Safety Committee MSC 106 met in person on 2-11 November 2022, complemented by hybrid facilities allowing remote participation. MSD 106

Adoption of amendments 

New SOLAS chapter XV and the new mandatory Code for Industrial Personnel

The Committee adopted the new SOLAS chapter XV and the associated new International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code), developed by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 8).

The aim is to provide minimum safety standards for ships that carry industrial personnel, as well as for the personnel themselves, and address specific risks of maritime operations within the offshore and energy sectors, such as personnel transfer operations. Such personnel may be engaged in the construction, maintenance, decommissioning, operation or servicing of offshore facilities, such as
windfarms, as well as offshore oil and gas installations, aquaculture, ocean mining or similar activities.

The amendments and Code are expected to enter into force on 1 July 2024.

SOLAS chapter II-2 in relation to flashpoint

The Committee adopted draft amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2, intended to prevent the supply of oil fuel not complying SOLAS flashpoint requirements (60°C), enhancing the safety of ships using oil fuel. The amendments add new definitions and provisions to SOLAS regulation II-2/4 (Probability of ignition), including requiring that ships carrying oil fuel shall prior to bunkering be provided with a declaration signed and certified by the fuel oil supplier’s representative that the oil fuel supplied is in conformity with regulation SOLAS II.2/4.2.1 and with the test method used for determining the flashpoint.

The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.

SOLAS Protocol of 1978

The amendments to the 1978 SOLAS Protocol concern the Form of Safety Equipment Certificate for Cargo Ships, ensuring harmonization with the forms of certificates in the appendix (Certificates) to the annex to the 1974 SOLAS Convention, amended by resolution MSC.496(105) for consistency, as a result of the GMDSS modernization.

The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.

IGC and IGF Code amendments

The amendments to chapter 6 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) and to chapter 7 of the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) concern the application of high manganese austenitic steel for cryogenic service in cargo and fuel tanks of LNG carriers and LNG-fuelled ships.

The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.

2011 ESP Code

The amendments to the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, 2011 (2011 ESP Code) include those addressing inconsistencies on examination of ballast tanks at annual surveys for bulk carriers and oil tankers the following requirement contained in the condition evaluation report.

The amendments are expected to enter into force on1 July 2024.

IBC Code

The amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), relate to survivability and provide exclusions related to those openings fitted with watertight closures for application of the conditions concerning flooding or downflooding.

The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 July 2024.

Other matters

Following consideration of the reports of the Sub-Committees, the MSC:

• Adopted a number of ships routeing measures which were approved by the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR). The measures adopted will be implemented on 1 June 2023.
• Adopted resolution MSC.263(84)/Rev.1 on Performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of ships; and approved draft amendments to a number of LRIT-related circulars.
• Approved, for adoption by MSC 107, draft amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2 and the 1994 and 2000 HSC Codes to prohibit the use of fire-fighting foams containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The regulations say that extinguishing media containing such foams shall be delivered to appropriate shorebased reception facilities when removed from the ship. PFOS is harmful to human health and the environment.
• Approved Revised guidelines for the approval of fixed dry chemical powder fire-extinguishing systems for the protection of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk (MSC.1/Circ.1315/Rev.1), in order to enhance the safety level.
• Approved amendments to the Revised standardized life-saving appliance evaluation and test report forms (MSC.1/Circ.1630), for circulation as MSC.1/Circ.1630/Rev.1
• Approved draft amendments regarding type of immersion and anti-exposure suits to the forms of the record of equipment for certificates in the 1994 and 2000 HSC Codes and the SOLAS Convention, for adoption by MSC 107.
• Approved amendments to the Guidelines for the development, review and validation of model courses, to be issued as MSCMEPC.2/Circ.15/Rev.2.
• Approved, for adoption by MSC 107, draft amendments to STCW regulations I/1 and I/2, concerning the inclusion of a new definition for “original form of any certificate required by the Convention” emanating from the use of electronic certificates.
• Approved, for adoption by MSC 107, draft amendments to section A-I/2 of the STCW Code, clarifying the application of existing terms and terminologies to the certificates and endorsements in electronic form, for adoption by the Committee in conjunction with the adoption of related amendments to the 1978 STCW Convention.
• Approved, for adoption by MSC 107, draft amendments to SOLAS chapter V and the appendix (Certificates), the 1978 SOLAS Protocol and the 1988 SOLAS Protocol, for the mandatory carriage of electronic inclinometers for containerships and bulk carriers of 3,000 GT and upwards.
• Approved an MSC circular on Guidance for the dissemination of search and rescue related information through the international enhanced group call service.
• Approved the revised NAVTEX Manual, to be issued as MSC.1/Circ.1403/Rev.2, with an effective date of 1 January 2023.
• Approved a revision of the ECDIS Guidance for good practice, to be issued as MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.2. The updated guidance includes, in particular, a new section on onboard ECDIS updates.
• Adopted an MSC resolution on Performance standards for electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS), which revises resolution MSC.232(82) and introduces a phased implementation of new IHO product specifications (i.e. S-98, S-100 and S-101) for ECDIS as from 1 January 2026.
• Approved the draft IMO position on relevant agenda items of ITU WRC-23 concerning matters relating to maritime services for submission to the ITU’s Conference Preparatory Meeting for WRC-23. The next World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) will be held in the United Arab Emirates from 20 November to 15 December 2023.
• Approved an MSC circular on Guidance on the training on and operation of emergency personal radio devices in multiple casualty situations.
• Noted the status reports addressing audit observations and the updated list of all findings from Goal-based Standards (GBS) audits.

Resolutions adopted 

Resolution.MSC..519(106) – Member States’ obligations in connection with search and rescue services under the SOLAS and SAR conventions in the context of armed conflicts

Resolution.MSC..520(106) – Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (chapter ii-2)

Resolution.MSC.521(106) – Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, (chapter xv)

Resolution.MSC.522(106) – Amendments to the Protocol of 1978 relating to the Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974

Resolution.MSC.263(84)/rev.1 – Performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of ships

Resolution.MSC.529(106) – Statement of recognition of maritime mobile satellite services provided by CTTIC through BDMSS

Resolution.MSC.530(106) – Performance standards for electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS)

Resolution.MSC.523(106) – Amendments to the international code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk (IGC code)

Resolution.MSC.524(106) – Amendments to the International Code Of Safety For Ships Using Gases Or Other Low-Flashpoint Fuels (IGF code)

Resolution.MSC.525(106) – Amendments to the International Code On The Enhanced Programme Of Inspections During Surveys Of Bulk Carriers And Oil Tankers, 2011 (2011 ESP Code)

Resolution.MSC.526(106) – Amendments to the International Code For The Construction And Equipment Of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals In Bulk (IBC Code)

Resolution.MSC..527(106) – International Code Of Safety For Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code)

Resolution.MSC.528(106) – Recommended cooperation to ensure the safety of life at sea, the rescue of persons in distress at sea and the safe disembarkation of survivors

Circulars approved 

MSC.1/Circ.1500/Rev.2 Guidance on drafting of amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention and related mandatory instruments

MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.15/Rev.2 Guidelines for the development, review and validation of model courses

MSC.1/Circ.1164/Rev.26 Promulgation of information related to reports of independent evaluation submitted by Parties to the 1978 STCW Convention confirmed by the Maritime Safety Committee to have communicated information which demonstrates that Parties are giving full and complete effect to the relevant provisions of the Convention

MSC.1/Circ.797/Rev.38 List of competent persons maintained by the Secretary-General pursuant to section A-I/7 of the Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code

MSC.1/Circ.1614/Rev.1 Revised interim guidelines on life-saving appliances and arrangements for ships operating in polar waters

MSC.1/Circ.1655 Unified interpretations of SOLAS chapter II-2

MSC.1/Circ.1630/Rev.1 Revised standardized life-saving appliance evaluation and test report forms

COLREG.2/Circ.78 Traffic separation schemes and associated measures

SN.1/Circ.342 Routeing measures other than traffic separation schemes

MSC.1/Circ.1259/Rev.9 Long-range identification and tracking system – Technical documentation (part I)

MSC.1/Circ.1307/Rev.1 Guidance on the survey and certification of compliance of ships with the requirement to transmit LRIT information

MSC.1/Circ.1376/Rev.5 Continuity of service plan for the LRIT system

MSC.1/Circ.1656 GMDSS operating guidance for ships in distress situations

MSC.1/Circ.1657 Procedure for responding to DSC distress alerts by ships

MSC.1/Circ.1658 Guidance on distress alerts

MSC.1/Circ.892/Rev.1 Guidance on alerting of search and rescue authorities

MSC.1/Circ.1659 Guidance for the dissemination of search and rescue related information through the international enhanced group call service

MSC.1/Circ.1403/Rev.2 NAVTEX Manual

MSC.1/Circ.1660 Guidance on the training on and operation of emergency personal radio devices in multiple casualty situations

MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.2 ECDIS – Guidance for good practice

MSC.1/Circ.1661 Guidance framework for the application of casualty cases and lessons learned to seafarers’ education and training

MSC-MEPC.1/Circ.5/Rev.4 Organization and method of work of the Maritime Safety Committee and the Marine Environment Protection

Act Now

Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators/ Surveyors/ Auditors/ Service Suppliers should take into consideration the above amendments.