The 9th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 9) took place from 23 to 27 January. DNV published an overview of the meeting, informing that SDC 9 agreed to extend the requirements for on-board emergency towing devices to all ships over 20,000 gross tonnage to reduce the risk of drifting and grounding in case of an emergency.
Highlights
- Agreed to extend the requirements to on-board emergency towing devises to all new ships over 20,000 gross tonnage
- Agreed to implement an asbestos ban in the MODU Code on new installations on existing units in alignment with that in SOLAS
- Agreed to revised Guidelines for the Reduction of Underwater Noise from Commercial Shipping to Address Adverse Impacts on Marine Life
- Progressed the development of goal-based requirements for SOLAS Chapter II-1
- Progressed a revision of the interim explanatory notes to the Safe Return to Port requirements in SOLAS
Reduction of underwater noise
SDC 9 agreed to a draft revision of the Guidelines for the Reduction of Underwater Noise from Commercial Shipping to Address Adverse Impacts on Marine Life (MSC.1/Circ.833).
According to DNV, A draft work plan for the continued work on the underwater-radiated noise and implementation of the draft revised guidelines were endorsed.
The draft of the revised guidelines will be submitted to MEPC 80 (July 2023) for approval.
Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP)
Amendments to the 2011 ESP Code to align the code with the survey and certification requirements of the IACS UR Z series were adopted in 2019and entered into force on 1 January 2021.
SDC 9 agreed on draft modifications to the 2019 amendments in order for both administrations and organizations recognized by the administrations to be involved with approval and auditing of firms engaged in thickness measurements of hull structures on oil tankers. The draft amendments will be submitted to MSC 107 (June 2023) for approval.
Functional requirements for SOLAS Chapter II-1
SDC 9 progressed draft goals for SOLAS Chapter II-1 Part C on “Machinery installations” and Part E on “Periodically unattended machinery spaces” based on agreed failure modes. The goal-based provisions for Part D on “Electrical installations” were agreed at SDC 8.
The goal-based provisions will be included in a second revision of the Guidelines on Alternative Design and Arrangements for SOLAS Chapters II-1 and III (MSC.1/Circ.1212/Rev.1) and submitted to MSC for approval.
A Correspondence Group will progress goals, functional requirements and expected performances for SOLAS Chapter II-1 Parts C and E until SDC 10 in January 2024.
Prohibition of asbestos in the MODU Code
As DNV informs in its overview, SDC 9 agreed to implement the wording and guidance for an asbestos ban on new installations on existing units in the non-mandatory MODU Code in alignment with that contained in SOLAS.
The draft MODU Codes amendments, and a unified interpretation and Guidelines will be submitted to MSC 107 (June 2023) for approval.
Emergency towing equipment
SDC 9 agreed on draft amendments to SOLAS II-1/3-4 to extend the SOLAS requirements for emergency towing devices to all new ships over 20,000 gross tonnage to facilitate emergency assistance and towing operations and thereby reduce the risk of ship wreckage and pollution.
A Correspondence Group will consider the development of draft guidelines for ships other than tankers and report to SDC 10 in January 2024. The draft amendments will eventually be submitted to MSC for approval and subsequent adoption.
Safe Return to Port for passenger ships
SDC 9 initiated a revision of the Interim Explanatory Notes for the Assessment of Passenger Ship Systems’ Capabilities after a Fire or Flooding Casualty (MSC.1/Circ.1369) based on experience gained with the application of the explanatory notes.
The work will continue in a Correspondence Group until SDC 10 in January 2024.
Water level detectors for multiple-hold cargo ships
Finally, according to DNV, SDC 9 agreed on a correction to the measurement of installation heights of bilge level sensors in the revised performance standards.
The correction specifies that the measurement of installation height from the bottom of the bilge well is only applicable to those sensors installed in accordance with SOLAS Regulation II-1/25-1.3, when the bottom of the bilge well is located below the inner bottom.
Revision 2 of the Performance Standards will be submitted to MSC 107 (June 2023) for approval.
explore more at DNV’S SDC 9 OVERVIEW
