The Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) is to meet on 4 to 8 March on discussing draft mandatory regulations in order to make lifting appliances, as onboard cargo cranes safer. The Committee aims to make official the draft SOLAS regulations and guidelines that have to do with design, construction, installation and maintenance of onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches.
The rules passed will be used to prevent accidents and harm to operators and damage to ships, cargo, shore-based structures and subsea structures, as well as the marine environment.
Moreover, concerning fire safety issues, the Committee is collaborating to limit the incidence and consequences of fire on ro-ro spaces and special category spaces of new and existing ro-ro passenger vessels.
Under review are also the current SOLAS regulations as well associated codes.
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The Sub-Committee will also develop amendments to relevant guidelines for the approval of fixed dry powder systems used on ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk.
Agenda items related to life-saving appliances and arrangements include the work to develop the goal-based standards safety-level approach for the approval of alternative designs and arrangements for regulations on life-saving appliances.
In addition, the Sub-Committee is to also finalize draft amendments to the Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code on ventilation requirements for survival craft and related draft amendments to the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances, to ensure a habitable environment is maintained in such survival craft.
Another matter of discussion will be the finalization of draft Interim guidelines on life-saving appliances and arrangements for ships operating in polar waters, to support the implementation of the mandatory Polar Code.
Also, the sub-Committee will discuss the on-shore power supply matter. According to that, a group will talk about its work on developing craft guidelines on safe operation of on-shore power supply to ships, also known as ‘cold ironing’, ‘alternative maritime power’ and ‘shore-side electricity’.
Furthermore, the Sub-Committee will discuss whether there is a need for relevant amendments to SOLAS. Plugging a ship into shore-side power – and turning off onboard generators – is one solution to reducing air pollution from ships, as well as limiting local noise.
Concluding, the SSE 6 meeting was opened by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim and is being chaired by Dr. Susumu Ota (Japan).
