CONTACT BIMCO
Jakob Paaske Larsen
Head of Maritime Safety & Security
Copenhagen, Denmark
- +45 4436 6844
- hsse@bimco.org
At the recent 108th meeting in the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 108) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the following outcomes were noted.
Thanks to the IMO Secretariat for providing the bulk of the following information.
The Committee has adopted a Resolution addressing the security situation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which has been compromised by Houthi attacks on commercial ships and seafarers. The precarious situation has been ongoing since the hijacking of the MV Galaxy Leader in November 2023; the vessel and its crew remain detained. Since this incident, approximately 50 hazardous and destabilising maritime attacks have occurred in the area, taking the lives of several seafarers and inflicting life-altering injuries on others.
The recently adopted resolution vociferously condemns these illegal and unwarranted attacks, which pose a threat to the safety of seafarers and the marine environment. It demands the Houthis to immediately halt their assaults on commercial ships and calls for the swift and unconditional release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew.
The resolution seeks the support of Member States and observer organisations in providing utmost assistance to seafarers affected by these attacks. It urges any party with potential influence over the Houthis to utilise it to bring an end to these attacks, promoting peaceful dialogue and diplomacy as the means to do so. Furthermore, the resolution advises ship operators and vessels to carefully evaluate the current unstable situation and the potential for continued attacks when planning transits. The considerations should include vessel profile, business necessity, and risk tolerance.
The Committee continued to advance its work to develop a Code to regulate Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) to ensure these autonomous ships operate safely and in coexistence with conventional ships. It was decided that more work would be required to finalise the Code and the Committee therefore agreed to the revise the Road Map for the development of a MASS Code, as follows:
The Committee approved the revised Guidelines on maritime cyber risk management (MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3/Rev.3) and forwarded them to the Facilitation Committee for its concurrent approval.
The guidelines cover standards and best practices for cyber risk management. The revision includes updates related to key definitions, background information and application, functional elements of cyber-risk management (including how to establish a risk management strategy; identify risks; protect computer-based systems; detect, respond to and recover from incidents) and other relevant international and industry standards and best practices.
The IMO's goal of achieving net zero shipping will require the uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies, fuels and/or energy sources. Suitable provisions will be needed to ensure the safe operation of these new technologies and alternative fuels on ships.
A correspondence group report outlined a summary list of fuels and technologies that could support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships, as well as an assessment of technical aspects, hazards, and risks to ship/shoreside for each of these listed fuels and technologies. Safety obstacles and gaps in existing regulations were also assessed.
The Committee re-established the correspondence group and instructed it to develop recommendations to address each of the identified barriers and gaps in current IMO instruments that impede the safe use of an alternative fuel or new technology, and report back to MSC 109 and MSC 110.
The Committee adopted amendments to the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code), which aim to prevent and respond to violence and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault. The amendments outline new mandatory minimum requirements for basic training and instruction for all seafarers. These aim to equip seafarers with knowledge and understanding of violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault, and information on how to prevent and respond to incidents. The amendments to the STCW Code are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
The Committee also approved other recommendations, including the launch of awareness campaigns and other further measures to address violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault, applicable to Administrations, shipping companies, social partners and UN agencies.
Several amendments to the SOLAS Convention were adopted:
Amendments to chapter II-1 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, on the structure of ships, to include a new section requiring emergency towing arrangements to be fitted on ships other than tankers. These amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2028.
Amendments to chapters II-2 and V of the SOLAS Convention, on oil fuel parameters other than flashpoint; fire detection within control stations and cargo control rooms; fire safety of ro-ro passenger ships; and reporting of the loss of containers. These amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
Amendments were adopted to the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), including regulations pertaining to specific requirements for ships using natural gas as fuel; bunkering operations; and manufacture and testing for the fuel containment system. These amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
Amendments were adopted to the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (Grain Code), introducing a new class of loading conditions for special compartments. These amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
Amendments to the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, 2011 (2011 ESP Code), regarding procedures for approval and certification of a firm engaged in thickness measurement of hull structures. These amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
Amendments were adopted to the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code, regarding the in-water performance of lifejackets; single fall and hook systems; and lowering speed of survival craft and rescue boats. These amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
Amendments were adopted to the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code), with regards to fire safety of ro-ro passenger ships. These amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
Amendments were adopted to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG), with updates throughout the document including foreword, preamble, parts 1 to 7, appendices and index. These amendments are expected to enter into force 1 January 2026.
The Committee adopted the following amendments:
The above amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
Other related, non-mandatory instruments
The Committee considered related non-mandatory instruments and:
The Committee considered reports from its Sub-Committees and these are the most important actions taken:
The Committee took the following actions:
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