IMO MSC 95

Summary Report
London, 3 to 12 June 2015
BUREAU VERITAS
Marine & Offshore Division
Compliance & Regulations

Introduction
2. Revision of SOLAS chapter II-1 subdivision and damage stability regulations *
MSC 95 IMO committee
The Committee on Maritime Safety held its sixty height session from 3 to 12 June
2015.
Scope of the summary report
The scope of this summary report is to provide information on the developments in
IMO. It is to be noted that the information included herein are proposals adopted or
approved by the majority of countries.
Next MSC Meetings
MSC 96 has been scheduled to be held from 11 to 20 May 2016 and MSC 97 has
been tentatively scheduled to be held in November 2016.
Contents
Introduction
The IGF Code
Amendments to mandatory instruments
Maritime security
Goal-based new ship construction standards
Passenger ships
Ship Design and Construction
Navigation, Communication and Search and Rescue
Ship Systems and Equipment
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MSC 95 The IGF Code

Adoption of the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other
Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) (Resolution MSC.391(95)) (entry into force
01/01/2017)
Latest technical improvements

for ships meeting all the prescriptive requirements for natural gas fuel (part A-1 of
the draft IGF Code), the risk assessment need only be conducted where explicitly
required in part A-1

Modifications to 6.4.9.5.2 to clarify the load assumptions for the structural design
of anti-flotation chocks

fuel tank temperature monitoring from a safe location using three temperature
measuring devices at each fuel tank to detect fuel stratification

Deletion of 6.7.3.1.1.3, related to fuel stratification and rollover

clarify the protective distances for fuel tanks fitted below the main deck with
regard to passenger ships, as proposed by MSC 95/3/16

Additional information
Please refer to MSC 95/WP.7
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MSC 95 The IGF Code

Application to Gas Carriers
The IGF Code should not apply to gas carriers in addition to the IGC Code, i.e. not
apply to:
".1 gas carriers using their cargo as low-flashpoint fuel; or
.2 gas carriers using low-flashpoint gaseous fuels other than their cargo, provided
that the low-flashpoint fuel storage and distribution systems design and
arrangements comply with the requirements of the lGC Code for gas as cargo.
Related adoptions
amendments to SOLAS chapter II-1, in conjunction with amendments to SOLAS
chapter II-2, to make the IGF Code mandatory (entry into force 01/01/2017);

amendments to the 1978 STCW Convention (to take into account the new IGF
Code) (entry into force 01/01/2017);
amendments to part A of the STCW Code (to take into account the new IGF
Code) (entry into force 01/01/2017);
STCW.6 circular on Amendments to part B of the STCW Code;
STCW.7 circular on Amendments to the Interim guidance on training for
seafarers on ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels

Additional information
Please refer to MSC 95/WP.6
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MS 95 - Amendments to Mandatory Instruments

Amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention (entry into force
01/01/2017)
Regulation II-2/20 allowing for alternatives to the prescriptive
ventilation rates in ro-ro spaces on the basis of an air quality control
system, complying with MSC/Circ.1515,
Regulations II-2/4 & 11 to clarify the provisions relating to the
secondary means of venting cargo tanks, noting that the proper and
effective design, installation and operation of a secondary means of
venting cargo tanks is critical to the safety of the vessel and those on
board. In general terms, the proposal will require new tankers to install
full flow P/V-valves on each cargo tank in order to ensure adequate
safety against over- and under-pressure in the event a cargo tank
isolation valve is damaged or inadvertently closed.
Additional information
Please refer to MSC 95/WP.6

MS 95 - Amendments to Mandatory Instruments

Amendments to the IMSBC Code
- updating references,
- improving requirements for cargoes which may liquefy,
- adding new schedules,
- including amendments related to HME substances (of a
recommendatory nature), to include relevant data in the cargo
information form of concerned cargo, as a consequence of Annex V of
MARPOL
Approval of related circulars:
- cargoes for which a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system may be
exempted or for which a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system is ineffective
- Guidelines for developing and approving procedures for sampling,
testing and controlling the moisture content for solid bulk cargoes which
may liquefy
Additional information
Please refer to MSC 95/WP.6
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MSC 95 - Maritime Security

The Committee
. approved the MSC Circular on Best Management Practices for Protection
against Somalia Based Piracy
. approved the revised MSC.1/Circ.1333 incorporating a provision on the
establishment of a National point of contact for communication of
information on piracy and armed robbery to the Organization
. approved the revised MSC.1/Circ.1406/Rev.2 which includes
amendments related to certification of PMSC after publication of
International Standard ISO 28007

Additional information
Please refer to MSC 95/WP.8
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MSC 95 - Goal-based new ship construction standards

The Committee
. approved the revised Generic guidelines for developing IMO goal-based
standards and associated draft MSC circular, which will be disseminated as
MSC.1/Circ.1394/Rev.1;
. agreed on the new future work plan for SSE Sub-Committee on the
development of functional requirements of SOLAS chapter III as follows:
. noted the progress on the draft Interim guidelines for development and
application of IMO goal-based standards safety-level approach and invited
Member Governments and international organizations to submit concrete
GBS-SLA examples on SOLAS chapter III and comments and proposals
on the draft Interim guidelines to MSC 96.
Additional information
Please refer to MSC 95/WP.9
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MSC 95 Passenger ships

Watertight doors
draft amendments to SOLAS regulation II-1/22 on watertight doors
(Deletion of SOLAS regulation II-1/22.4, allowing certain watertight
doors to remain open during navigation), as part of the package of
amendments for the damaged stability of passenger ships, still
considered by SDC;
Guidance for watertight doors on passenger ships which may be
opened during navigation (MSC.1/Circ.1506)
Evacuation analysis
draft amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/13 on evacuation analysis
( would also apply to passenger ships other than ro-ro passenger ships,
carrying more than 36 passengers)
Sprinkler systems
Revised guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of fire protection
systems and appliances (MSC.1/Circ.1516)
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MSC 95 Ship Design and Construction (SDC)

The Committee:
adopted amendments to chapter 6 of part B of the 2008 IS Code,
regarding ice accretion on cargo ships carrying timber deck cargoes
approved draft amendments to the introduction of the 2008 IS Code
regarding vessels engaged in anchor-handling operations
approved, in principle, draft amendments to part B of the 2008 IS Code
regarding vessels engaged in anchor-handling operations

adopted amendments to the Guidelines for the application of plastic

pipes on ships (resolution A.753(18)), as amended by resolution
MSC.313(88)

approved Unified interpretations of the Code on Noise Levels on

board Ships (resolution MSC.337(91)), with MSC.1/Circ.1509

decided to reinstate the existing output on Guidelines for use of Fibre

Reinforced Plastic (FRP) within ship structures in the agenda of SDC 3

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MSC 95 - Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue

(NCSR)
The Committee:

approved the MSC circular on Guidelines on Software Quality

Assurance and Human Centred Design for e-navigation

adopted the MSC resolution on Performance standards for

multi-system shipborne radionavigation receivers

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MSC 95 - Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE)

Periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching
appliances and release gear
MSC agreed that the annual thorough examination should be carried out by the
manufacturer or a service provider authorized by the Administration

MSC agreed to re-establish the original output on "Making the provisions of

MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 mandatory" on the provisional agenda for SSE 3

Onboard lifting appliances and winches

MSC agreed:
The scope and application of the IMO guidelines for safety onboard lifting
appliances and winches should cover design, fabrication and construction of new
installations; onboard procedures for routine inspection, maintenance and
operation of lifting appliances and winches; and familiarization of ship's crew and
shore based personnel
The goal and function based SOLAS regulation to be developed to require that
onboard lifting appliances and winches be designed, constructed and installed
either "in accordance with codes or standards acceptable to the Organization" or
"to the satisfaction of the Administration"; and maintained in accordance with
guidelines for safety onboard lifting appliances and winches to be developed by
the Organization
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MSC 95 Large container ship safety

MSC was advised of the recent adoption by IACS of the Unified

Requirements (application 01/07/2016):

UR S11A Longitudinal Strength Standard for Container Ships

UR S33 Requirements for the Use of Extremely Thick Plates
UR W31 YP47 Plates (YP = Yield Point)
UR S34 Functional Requirements on Load Cases for Strength
Assessment of Container Ships by Finite Element Analysis

The Committee, while appreciating the proactive response relating

to the safety of large container ships, invited IACS to keep it
informed of further developments on relevant IACS requirements
for large container ship safety at future sessions.
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