Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 106), 2-11 November 2022
MSC 106 will be held in person, complemented by hybrid facilities allowing remote participation.
Time: 09.30 am to 5.30 pm London Time each weekday – breaks at 11:00-11:30; 12:30-2:30; 4:00-4:30. A number of side events will take place at lunch time/evenings, including the IMO Awards ceremony on 2 November at 6.00 pm.
Documents: download from IMODOCS. Â
Adoption of amendments
New mandatory Code for Industrial Personnel
The Committee will be invited to adopt the draft 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 addresses 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.
SOLAS chapter II-2 in relation to flashpoint
The Committee will be invited to adopt draft amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2, intended to address fire safety risks (including explosion) in relation to fuel oil, ensuring that flashpoint requirements are fully met.
The draft amendments will 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.
SOLAS Protocol of 1978
The draft 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.Â
IGC and IGF Code amendments – high manganese austenitic steel for cryogenic service
The draft 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) aconcern the application of high manganese austenitic steel for cryogenic service in cargo and fuel tanks of LNG carriers and LNG-fuelled ships.
Enhanced Survey Programme amendments
The draft 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 relating to extension of inspections where a hard protective coating is found to be in less than GOOD condition.
IBC Code
The draft 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.
Maritime security including an update on the Black Sea Grain Initiative
Black Sea Grain Initiative
The Committee will be updated on the latest developments regarding the operation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul includes representatives from the United Nations, Ukraine, Russian Federation and Türkiye.
SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code allow ships’ inspections, which form the basis for the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The success to date of the Initiative is making a growing contribution to the critical problem of the alleviation of global food supply shortages resulting from the conflict in Ukraine.
Maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS)
The MSC is expected to make further progress on the development of a goal-based instrument regulating the operation of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS). This follows the completion of a regulatory scoping exercise. The aim is to adopt a goal-based MASS Code in 2025. The MSC is expected to establish a MASS Working Group to further the work.
The MSC will be updated on the outcome of the first meeting (September 2022) of the Joint MSC/LEG/FAL Working Group on MASS, which was established as a cross-cutting mechanism to address common issues identified by the regulatory scoping exercises for the use of MASS conducted by the Maritime Safety, Legal and Facilitation Committees.
The Joint Working Group developed a table – intended as a living document – to identify preferred options for addressing common issues, such as: role of MASS master and crew; responsibilities of Mass master and crew; competencies required for MASS master and crew; identification and meaning of term “remote operator” and their responsibilities.
A draft work plan was agreed, for approval by the three committees, which envisages the Committees reviewing the report of the first session and agreeing to have a second meeting of the Joint Working Group to be convened in April 2023.
Unsafe mixed migration by sea
The MSC will be invited to consider an update on developments regarding mixed migration by sea. The IMO Secretariat has been participating in the UNHCR-led Inter-Agency Group on Protection of Refugees and Migrants moving by Sea, set up to exchange information, experiences and good practices concerning mixed migration by sea, SAR activities and safe disembarkation of rescued persons.
The Committee will be invited to consider, with a view to adoption, a draft MSC resolution recommending cooperation to ensure the safety at sea, the rescue of persons in distress at sea and the safe disembarkation of rescued persons, intended to emphasize the importance of effective and timely involvement of Governments in cases of rescue of migrants at sea by merchant ships.
Safety of onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches
The MSC is expected to approve in principle two sets of draft guidelines on lifting appliances and on anchor handling winches. The two draft guidelines will support the implementation of the new draft SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13 that covers requirements for the application, design and construction, operation, inspection, testing and maintenance of onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches. The draft SOLAS amendments were already approved in principle by MSC 102, with a view to adoption at MSC 107, along with the related guidelines.
The aim of the draft regulation and the two sets of guidelines is to prevent accidents related to lifting appliances and anchor handling winches, which have caused harm to operators and damage to ships, cargo, shore-based structures and subsea structures, as well as to the marine environment.
Safety measures for non-SOLAS ships operating in polar waters -Polar Code amendments
The MSC is expected to approve, with a view to adoption at the next session, a first set of draft amendments to the Polar Code, together with associated amendments to the SOLAS Convention, to incorporate new requirements for non-SOLAS ships concerning the safety of navigation and voyage planning. The amendments will be applicable to some non-SOLAS ships, i.e. fishing vessels of 24 metres in length overall and above, pleasure yachts of 300 gross tonnage and upwards not engaged in trade and cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards but below 500 gross tonnage.
The amendments aim to enhance the safety of ships operating under the special conditions the polar areas present, as well as that of the persons on board.
The draft amendments are to SOLAS chapter XIV and the Polar Code parts I-A and I-B. The aim is to adopt them at MSC 107 with a view to entry into force on 1 January 2026.
IMO’s Polar Code sets out requirements to ensure the safety of ships operating under the harsh conditions of the Arctic and Antarctic areas, taking especially into account extremes of temperature, and that critical equipment remains operational under those conditions.
Ships in polar waters – revision of Interim guidelines on life-saving appliances and arrangements
The MSC is expected to approve draft amendments to the Interim guidelines on life-saving appliances and arrangements for ships operating in polar waters (MSC.1/Circ.1614). The Interim guidelines outline possible means of mitigating hazards in order to comply with the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) and are intended to assist ship designers and shipowners/operators, as well as Administrations, in the uniform implementation of relevant provisions in the Polar Code, complementing existing requirements in the International Life-saving Appliance (LSA) Code.
The draft amendments to the Interim guidelines introduce a methodology for the calculation of the maximum time of rescue, set out in an appendix to the guidelines, so that ships can find out how much supply, such as food rations and fresh water, and which type of equipment they should carry on board.
Revision of Guidelines on places of refuge for ships in need of assistance
The MSC is expected to approve a revision of the Guidelines on places of refuge for ships in need of assistance (resolution A.949(23)). The draft revised Assembly resolution will subsequently be submitted to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and the Legal Committee (LEG), for concurrent approval, with a view to adoption by the IMO Assembly (A 33) in 2023.
The guidelines were first adopted in 2003 to provide guidance for cases where a ship is in need of assistance, but are not intended to address the issue of operations for the rescue of persons in distress at sea (where SAR provisions shall be followed).
The proposed revision recognizes that various organizational, operational and technological developments have taken place in a rapidly changing global maritime domain. Experience in handling situations of ships in need of assistance has increasingly been gained around the world and informed the revision of the guidelines.
The revised guidelines aim to provide the basis of an operational framework for coastal States, ships’ masters, operators and/or salvors as well as other involved parties on how to handle and take a decision when a ship is in need of assistance and seeks a place of refuge.
Among other changes, a new section on media information and management is proposed, recommending that States include in their administrations the capacities (including training) for dealing with media and requests for information in connection with managing a ship in need of assistance seeking a place of refuge.
Piracy and armed robbery against ships
The MSC will consider the latest update on global trends relating to piracy and armed robbery against ships.
Figures based on reports submitted to the IMO show that overall ,69 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported to the Organization as having occurred or been attempted in January to June 2022, a decrease of approximately 22% at the global level compared to the same period last year. 
However, there has been an increase in the number of incidents in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore with 36 incidents reported in January to June 2022, compared to 27 incidents in the same period last year. The number of incidents that took place in the Gulf of Guinea decreased to 13 from 27 incidents in the same period last year, thanks to the enforcement agencies of coastal States in the region and ongoing international support. The number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported in the South China Sea is nil, compared to 11 incidents in the same period in 2021 – following the downward trend in the area since 2013, when 142 incidents were reported. No incidents were reported off the coast of Somalia during the reporting period.
Proposals for new work programme outputs
The MSC will consider a number of proposals for new outputs at the session. The proposals include, inter-alia, the following:
Proposal to amend the FSS Code regulations relating to the system control requirements of fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems.
Proposal for development of amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/10.8.1 to provide unified requirements for deck foam systems on tankers of different deadweight.
Proposal to amend SOLAS regulation V/23 and associated instruments, i.e. resolution A.1045(27) and MSC.1/Circ.1428, to improve the safety of pilot transfer arrangements.
Proposal to develop guidance to assist competent authorities in the implementation of the Cape Town Agreement of 2012 on fishing vessel safety.
Proposal to amend SOLAS regulation V/19-1 to allow coastal States to receive LRIT information at the standard transmission rate free of charge.
Proposal to amend SOLAS chapter II-1 to address the safe operation of elevators and develop non-mandatory guidelines on the design, installation, maintenance, inspection and operation of elevators on board ships.
Proposal to amend MSC.1/Circ.1331 to address the safety risk to crew when rigging safety netting from the shipʹs deck to the outboard side of an accommodation ladder and/or gangway.
Proposal to revise the Revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships (resolution A.1050(27)) to ensure the safety of personnel entering enclosed spaces on board ships.
Proposal to modify the GISIS Maritime Security module to include port facility security level notifications by Contracting Governments, with a view to improving the accuracy of such information for shipping companies and port operators and assisting Contracting Governments and their designated authorities in enhancing the security of port facilities under their authority.
Proposal to review the appropriateness and effectiveness of SOLAS regulation IV/5 (Provision of radiocommunication service).
Other matters
Following work in the Sub-Committees, and consideration of their reports, the MSC is expected to:
Adopt a number of ships routeing measures which were approved by the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR).
Adopt the draft resolution MSC.263(84)/Rev.1 on Revised Performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of ships; and approve draft amendments to a number of LRIT-related circulars.
Recognize the BeiDou Message Service System (BDMSS) as a new regional mobile satellite service for use in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
Approve 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 shore-based reception facilities when removed from the ship. PFOS is harmful to the environment.
Approve draft revised guidelines for the approval of fixed dry chemical powder fire-extinguishing systems for the protection of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk, in order to enhance the safety level.
Approve draft amendments to the Revised standardized life-saving appliance evaluation and test report forms (MSC.1/Circ.1630), with a view to circulation as MC.1/1630/Rev.1
Approve the draft amendments regarding type of immersion suits and anti-exposure suits, as a minor correction, to the forms of the record of equipment for certificates in the 1994 and 2000 HSC Codes, and the SOLAS Convention, with a view to subsequent adoption by MSC 107 in the SPS Code, in principle, with a view to subsequent adoption by MSC 107.
Approve revised Standards for the design, testing and locating of devices to prevent the passage of flame into cargo tanks in tankers (updating MSC/Circ.677, as amended).
Approve draft amendments to the Guidelines for the development, review and validation of model courses, to be issued as MSCMEPC.2/Circ.15/Rev.2.
Approve 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.
Approve draft amendments to section A-I/2 of the STCW Code, clarifying the application in the Code of existing terms and terminologies to the certificates and endorsements in electronic form, with a view to adoption by the Committee in conjunction with the adoption of related amendments to the 1978 STCW Convention.
Approve the draft MSC circular on Guidance for the dissemination of search and rescue related information through the international enhanced group call service.
Approve the draft revised NAVTEX Manual to be issued as MSC.1/Circ.1403/Rev.2 with an effective date of 1 January 2023
Approve a revision of the ECDIS Guidance for good practice to be issued as MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.2. The draft updated guidance includes, in particular, a new section on onboard ECDIS updates.
Adopt a draft revision of the Performance standards for electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS) (resolution MSC.232(82)).
Approve 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.
Approve a draft MSC circular on Guidance on the training on and operation of emergency personal radio devices in multiple casualty situations.
Consider the GBS audit report on rectification of non-conformities stemming from the second GBS Maintenance Audit (2018)
