Tag: MSC 94

Polar Code highlights the potential hazards of operating in polar regions The International Code for ships operating in Polar Water was adopted on November 2014 by the IMO MSC 94. The Polar Code highlights the potential hazards of operating in polar regions, including ice, remoteness and rapidly changing and severe weather conditions, and provides goals and functional requirements in relation to ship design, construction, equipment, operations, training, and search and rescue, relevant to ships operating in Arctic and Antarctic waters.IMO has created an Infographic to explain what the Polar Code means for ship safety highlighting the following key issues for the proper equipment, design & construction, operation & manning for ships operating in Polar Waters:EquipmentWindows on BridgeMeans to clear melted ice, freezing rain, snow, mist, spray and condensationLifeboatsAll lifeboats to be partially or totally enclosed typeCloting IAdequate thermal protection for all persons on boardCloting IIOn passenger ships, an immersion suit or a thermal protective aid for each person on boardIce RemovalSpecial equipment for ice removal: such as electrical and pneumatic devices, special tools such as axes or wooden clubsFire SafetyExtinguishing equipment able to operable in cold temperatures; protect from ice; suitable for persons wearing bulky and cumbersome cold weather gearDesign ...

United Nations' IMO has decided to make it mandatory to weigh loaded containers before they are transported by sea

The IMO's Committee on Maritime Safety (MSC) held its 94th Session (MSC 94) from Monday 17 through Friday 21 November 2014. The MSC approved, in principle, the draft International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), and also approved proposed amendments to make the Code mandatory under SOLAS, with a view to adopting both the IGF Code and SOLAS amendments at the next session, MSC 95, scheduled to meet in June 2015. Associated draft amendments to the 1978 and 1988 Protocols were also approved.   The IGF Code will provide mandatory provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using low-flashpoint fuels, focusing initially on liquefied natural gas (LNG),  to minimize the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment, having regard to the nature of the fuels involved. The Code addresses all areas that need special consideration for the usage of low-flashpoint fuels, based on a goal-based approach, with goals and functional requirements specified for each section forming the basis for the design, construction and operation of ships using this type of fuel. Find more information about MSC94 at SAFETY4SEA article IMO Maritime Safety Committee 94th Session Outcome Source: ...

The IMO's Committee on Maritime Safety (MSC) held its 94th Session (MSC 94)

The IMO's Committee on Maritime Safety (MSC) held its 94th Session (MSC 94)

The IMO's Committee on Maritime Safety (MSC) held its 94th Session (MSC 94)

Beidou Navigation System Formally Included in IMOs Worldwide Radionavigation System

The IMO's Committee on Maritime Safety held its 94th Session (MSC 94)

Interferry has welcomed a decision at last week’s IMO Maritime Safety Committee meeting (MSC94) setting out rules for the location of fuel tanks on LNG-powered ships – a decision that the trade association says will safeguard further development of the LNG option. Following concerted cross industry coordination, key member states agreed a way forward that offers impact protection of the tanks in the event of collision or grounding while avoiding the potentially prohibitive requirements of proposals previously under discussion.  Until now the IMO’s efforts to avoid damage to LNG tanks and the consequent fire hazard have focused on placement of the tanks according to a mix of prescriptive rules and sophisticated calculation models.  This has caused increasing concern among ship designers and owners because LNG is more voluminous per energy content than conventional fuels and therefore needs bigger tank systems.  Objectors to the approach argued that the space methodology limited the fuel autonomy of vessels - raising the unreasonable expectation of them having to refuel at every port of call.  Now ship designers have been given two options for fuel tank location.  The first allows ferries and other ships to make use of the same rules that large LNG tankers ...

Held in IMO Headquarters, 17-21 November 2014 IMO Secretary-General Sekimizu opened the 94th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) chaired by Mr Christian Breinholt (Denmark) / Image Credit: IMO FlickrThe IMO's Committee on Maritime Safety (MSC) held its 94th Session (MSC 94) from Monday 17 through Friday 21 November 2014. The meeting was conducted by Chairman, Mr Christian Breinholt (DENMARK) and his Vice-Chair, Captain M Segar (SINGAPORE); both were re-elected for 2015 during the course of the meeting. Three working groups (WG) and one drafting group (DG) were formed and chaired as follows:WG1Polar and IGF Codes, Mrs J Stemre (NORWAY)WG2Goal Based Standards and Formal Safety Assessment, Mr J Sirkar (USA)WG3Amendments to SOLAS and Related Mandatory Instruments, Mr M Tsuchiya (UK)DG1Amendments to Mandatory Instruments, Mr H Tunfors (SWEDEN)The Polar CodeThe committee approved WG1's report in general and, in particular:approved changes to the definitions of the Polar Code and Arctic waters;instructed the Secretariat to inform MEPC 68 of such changes for harmonisation purposes;adopted a new SOLAR chapter XIV and associated MSC resolution;instructed the III Sub-Committee to consider survey and certification matters under the provisions of the Polar Code in its next review of the HSSC Guidelines;adopted the Polar Code and its ...