IACS (International Association of Classification Societies) will actively participate in the forthcoming 107th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 107), which will meet from 31 May to 9 June 2023.
Noting the work IACS Members undertake as Recognized Organizations of IMO Member States, verifying compliance of ships with IMO agreed requirements, and with a view to achieve clarity for all parties, IACS has submitted and co-sponsored the following papers:
MSC 107/12/2 provides comments on paragraph 2.14 of document MSC 107/12 and proposes amendments to the application statement contained in the cover note of resolution MSC.188(79)/Rev.1, with a view towards uniform and universal implementation.
MSC 107/14/1 provides comments on paragraph 2.33 of document MSC 107/14 regarding application date of the draft unified interpretation of SOLAS regulation II-1/26.2 for single essential propulsion components as set out in annex 16 to document SSE 9/20. IACS recommends to the Committee the date of application to be 1 January 2024.
MSC 107/14/2 provides comments on paragraph 2.10 of document MSC 107/14 relating to the draft amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/20 contained in annex 5 to document SSE 9/20. IACS identified inconsistencies and ambiguities in the draft amendments to SOLAS and proposes further modifications to the text to address these findings.
MSC 107/14/3 provides comments on paragraph 2.22 of document MSC 107/14 and proposed modifications to the amendments of the draft MSC circular on the Revised unified interpretations of SOLAS chapter II-2 and the FSS and FTP Codes (MSC.1/Circ.1456) to bring them in line with the corresponding draft amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/7.5.5, contained in annexes 11 and 5 to document SSE 9/20.
MSC 107/14/5 provides comments on paragraph 2.6 of document MSC 107/14 regarding draft amendments of paragraph 6.1.2.10 of chapter VI of the LSA Code, and proposes editorial improvements and consequential changes, as well as raising technical concerns for future work.
MSC 107/17/3 proposes to include a new output in the strategic plan of the Organization and on the provisional agenda of the SDC Sub-Committee to amend the Revised guidance on shipboard towing and mooring equipment (MSC.1/Circ.1175/Rev.1) to update the technical guidance provided by the circular.
MSC 107/17/4 proposes a new output to amend paragraph 2.1.2.5 of chapter 5 of the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code), as amended by resolution MSC.206(81), so as to align the construction requirement for gaskets used in discharge piping for fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems located within protected spaces with requirements for gaskets in piping systems addressed in other IMO instruments.
MSC 107/17/6 proposes to include a new output in the Strategic Plan of the Organization and on the provisional agenda for CCC Sub-Committee to permit lashing software as a supplement to the container stowage and securing plan by revising circular MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2.
MSC 107/17/10 proposes a new output for the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) to develop requirements for software maintenance of shipboard navigation and communication equipment and systems, to ensure that software maintenance carried out on such equipment is conducted in a controlled, safe and secure manner.
MSC 107/17/21 proposes a new output to undertake a regulatory assessment of safety aspects associated with reducing GHG emissions from ships in line with the Organization’s strategy (resolution MEPC.304(72), as revised) and to develop a road map to support the safe delivery of IMO’s GHG reduction strategy.
MSC 107/17/22 proposes a new output to develop amendments to circular MSC.1/Circ.1318/Rev.1 on Revised Guidelines for the maintenance and inspections of fixed carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems to clarify the testing and inspection requirements of CO2 cylinders.
MSC 107/17/24 proposes an approach to organizing the work of the Committee including a timeline and a format of the road map for the regulatory assessment and delivery of the regulatory framework as proposed in document MSC 107/17/21.
MSC 107/INF.10 provides the updated status of the work which is undertaken to address the IACS “common” observations as of 28 February 2023.
IACS will also contribute to the discussions under agenda item 3 (Consideration and adoption of amendments to mandatory instruments), agenda item 4 (Goal-based new ship construction standards), agenda item 5 (Development of a goal-based instrument for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)), and agenda item 6 (Development of further measures to enhance the safety of ships relating to the use of fuel oil).
