The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) is meeting for its 101st session. Its agenda is including maritime autonomous surface ships, polar shipping, and goal-based standards among other agenda items.
Numerous draft amendments will be adopted, such as amendments to mandatory Codes regarding the carriage of possible hazardous cargoes. Namely, the MSC will adopt the draft consolidated edition of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code), as well as a comprehensive set of draft amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code).
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The MSC will also be updated on the regulatory scoping exercise on maritime autonomous surface ships, considering different levels of autonomy.
Regarding polar shipping, MSC is expected to approve draft guidance for navigation and communication equipment aimed for use on ships operating in polar waters and also consider how to advance with developing requirements for ships operating in polar waters but not currently covered by the Polar Code.
Finally, a new agenda item will analyze fuel oil safety. Several guidance and guidelines will be approved, including those regarding standardization and performance standards for navigational equipment, related to the development of e-navigation.
