Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) has provided an overview of the key outcomes of the 11th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE), which took place 24 – 28 February, 2025.
The Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment deals with a wide range of technical and operational matters related to systems and equipment on all types of ships, vessels, craft and mobile units covered by IMO instruments. This includes life-saving equipment, appliances and arrangements; and fire detection and fire extinguishing systems. According to LR, some of the significant outcomes of the meeting include:
- Draft amendments to the LSA Code were finalized regarding the development of design and prototype test requirements for the operational testing of free-fall lifeboat release systems without launching the lifeboat.
- A draft unified interpretation of paragraphs 6.1.1.3 and 6.1.2.2 of the LSA Code—Manual hoisting of a dedicated rescue boat—was agreed upon to clarify that, for cargo ships, manual hoisting of a dedicated rescue boat should be considered part of launching preparation but not part of the launching process.
- Draft amendments to resolution MSC.81(70) and MSC.1/Circ.1628/Rev.1 were agreed upon to improve the test procedure for the lifejacket buoyancy test and align acceptance criteria with the LSA Code.
- Draft amendments to MSC/Circ.1086—Code of Practice for Atmospheric Oil Mist Detectors—were agreed upon to address concerns that fires on board ships are often caused or worsened by oil leaks in engine rooms.
- A draft unified interpretation of SOLAS regulation II-2/10.11 and regulation 7.9.4 of the 1994 and 2000 HSC Codes was agreed upon to clarify how compliance with the prohibition of PFOS will be demonstrated for both new and existing ships.
- A draft unified interpretation of SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13.2.4 was agreed upon to standardize documentation of load testing and thorough examination for existing non-certified lifting appliances. This interpretation provides a factual statement for documenting load testing and examination of existing lifting appliances without valid certificates, installed before 1 January 2026, to be effective from that date, aligning with the amended SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13.
- Work continued on developing amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2 and the FSS Code concerning fire detection and control in cargo holds and on containership cargo decks. This includes draft amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/10.7.3 regarding water mist lances and mobile/fixed water monitors, draft new SOLAS regulation II-2/7.11 with requirements for portable infrared thermal imagers, and draft guidelines for the design, performance, testing, and approval of water mist lances for protecting on-deck cargo areas of ships carrying containers above the weather deck.
- Work continued on evaluating the adequacy of fire protection, detection, and extinction arrangements in vehicle, special category, and ro-ro spaces to reduce fire risks for ships carrying new energy vehicles.
