IMO MSC 93 will be held from 14 to 23 May 2014

Image Credit: IMO

IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) will meet at the Organization’s London headquarters for its 93rd session, from 14 to 23 May 2014.

The MSC 93 is expected to agree on the following issues:

• to adopt amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) related to lifeboat safety;
• to continue its action plan of work on passenger ship safety, following the Costa Concordia incident;
• to review the draft mandatory Polar Code and related draft SOLAS amendments;
• to adopt amendments to SOLAS and other treaties to make mandatory the IMO Member State Audit Scheme;
• to adopt a number of other important amendments; and
• to consider items submitted by the sub-committees.

The MSC is also expected to approve a related draft MSC circular on Guidelines on safety during abandon ship drills using lifeboats, providing additional recommendatory provisions.

Administrations will be required to ensure that the thorough examination, operational testing, repair, and overhaul of equipment is carried out in accordance with SOLAS regulation III/20 by authorized service providers that are qualified in these operations for each make and type of equipment for which they provide the service.

Morevoer, the MSC 93 is expected to establish a working group to continue its work related to passenger ship safety, stemming from recommendations arising from the Costa Concordia incident. The long-term action plan on passenger ship safety will be reviewed.