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The International Maritime Organization Maritime Safety Committee meeting took place at the beginning of this month.

MSC adopted a new SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13 that covers requirements for the application, design and construction, operation, inspection, testing and maintenance of onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches. Two related sets of draft guidelines for lifting appliances and anchor handling winches were approved, to support the implementation of the new SOLAS regulation. The regulation is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.

 The Committee also adopted a first set of amendments to the Polar Code, together with associated amendments to the SOLAS Convention, to incorporate new requirements concerning safety of navigation and voyage planning, applicable to fishing vessels of 24 m in length overall and above, pleasure yachts of 300 GT and above not engaged in trade and cargo ships of 300 GT and above but below 500 GT, operating in polar waters.The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.

Other issues included amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, regulation I/2 (Certificates and endorsements), and the corresponding section of the Seafarers’ Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code, related to electronic certificates.  The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2025.

MSC adopted amendments to the LSA Code related to ventilation requirements for totally enclosed lifeboats. The provisions should be applied to such lifeboats installed on or after 1 January 2029.

 The committee made further progress on the development of a goal-based instrument regulating the operation of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS), expected to be adopted by 2025. This follows the completion of a related regulatory scoping exercise.

 Following a proposal by several Member States, MSC adopted a resolution on “Strengthening measures for ensuring the safety of international shipping”. It approved, with a view to subsequent adoption, draft amendments to SOLAS chapter V with regard to the reporting of the loss of containers.

Containers lost overboard present a serious hazard to navigation and safety at sea in general, in particular to recreational sailing yachts, fishing vessels and other smaller craft, as well as to the marine environment. The draft amendments on detection and reporting of lost containers developed by the CCC Sub-Committee for carriage of cargo and containers are also relevant for the Organization’s work on addressing marine litter.

More details on the deliberations of the Maritime Safety Committee are to be found on the IMO website.