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IMO MSC 95 Outcome

Gas and low-flashpoint fuels code adopted by IMO The new mandatory code for ships fuelled by gases or other low-flashpoint fuels was adopted by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), when it met at the Organization's London headquarters for its 95th session from 3 to 12 June 2015. The Committee also placed unsafe mixed migration by sea on its agenda and considered cyber security matters and passenger ship safety. It adopted new ships' routeing measures and a number of circulars arising from items put forward by the sub-committees.IGF Code adoptedThe MSC adopted the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), along with amendments to make the Code mandatory under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).The use of gas as fuel, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), has increased in recent years due to lower sulphur and particulate emissions than fuel oil or marine diesel oil. But gas and other low-flashpoint fuels pose their own set of safety challenges, which need to be properly managed. The IGF Code aims to minimize the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment, having regard to the nature of the fuels involved.The amendments ...

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Unsafe migration requires urgent action

Urgent action is needed to prevent huge losses of life at sea given the forecast increase in unsafe mixed migration by sea, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) agreed, following a special session on the issue (9 June). The MSC commended the efforts of rescue services, merchant vessels and others in saving lives. But it condemned the actions of the people smugglers. The MSC agreed that greater focus needs to be placed on addressing unsafe migration by sea through more safe and regular migration pathways. It was agreed that the issue of unsafe mixed migration by sea should be placed on the agenda of the MSC and other IMO bodies in order to further discuss the matter and develop actions.IMO Secretary-General Sekimizu told the MSC the situation was a truly humanitarian crisis which was not sustainable. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, addressing the MSC via video message, said this global issue required everyone to work together with a comprehensive approach, which would protect human rights, uphold international law and recognize the benefits of migration. Also addressing the special session were representatives of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Organization ...

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