The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is indeed intensifying its efforts to ensure the safe management and operation of ships globally, with a significant and renewed focus on the well-being and fundamental rights of seafarers. This commitment was particularly evident during the 110th session of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110), held from June 18 to 27, 2025.
Addressing Violence on Ships
A pivotal outcome was the IMO’s concerted effort to address the pervasive issue of violence and harassment on board ships, including sexual harassment, bullying, and sexual assault. The revision of the guidelines for implementing the International Safety Management (ISM) Code is central to this. These recommendations, developed by the Joint IMO/ILO Tripartite Working Group to Identify and Address Seafarers’ Issues and the Human Element (JTWG), include:
- Policy Integration: Incorporating comprehensive policies into Safety Management Systems (SMS) to prevent, report, respond to, and document cases of violence and harassment. These policies must include provisions for victim care, protection against retaliation, and clear safety management objectives, including risk assessment and safeguards.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring SMS compliance with all mandatory regulations, including national laws on violence and harassment, and observing guidance from relevant industry bodies.
- Clear Responsibilities and Resources: Assigning clear responsibilities to a company’s senior management and maritime administrations for addressing reported cases. This includes providing adequate resources for both onboard and shoreside response, as well as access to medical and mental health support for victims.
- Training and Familiarization: Providing essential training and familiarization for seafarers and designated shoreside personnel on company policies and their effective implementation.
The revision of these ISM Code implementation guidelines will be carried out by the Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III), in association with the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW), over three years until 2028.
Hours of Work and Hours of Rest
The Committee also prioritized efforts to combat seafarer fatigue by conducting a scoping exercise of relevant legal instruments aimed at addressing imbalances between workload and crewing levels, and safeguarding seafarer well-being.
- The HTW Sub-Committee, in conjunction with the III Sub-Committee, has been tasked with analyzing relevant IMO provisions over two years (2026-2027). This work will consider recommendations from a 2023-2024 expert study on the ISM Code, which proposed a holistic review of instruments concerning resources and personnel.
- The expert study’s recommendations include introducing a complaint procedure within the ISM Code for reporting non-compliance, strengthening the master’s authority to escalate breaches with protection, and embedding a safety culture as an explicit objective on ships.
- The MSC acknowledged the ongoing comprehensive review of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention). A crucial gap in hours of rest regulations within the STCW Convention and Code was identified during this review and is expected to be addressed as part of the comprehensive revision.
Other MSC Outcomes
Beyond seafarer welfare, the Maritime Safety Committee achieved significant developments across various other critical areas of international shipping safety and security:
- Regulating Autonomous Ships: Considerable progress was made in drafting the non-mandatory Code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), with 24 out of 25 chapters now finalized. The roadmap for the development of the MASS Code has also been updated, signaling a clear path towards eventual mandatory implementation.
- GHG Fuel Safety Regime: The Committee continued its work on developing safety regulations for ships utilizing new technologies and alternative fuels to support the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This includes initiating a review of the IMO Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships (Nuclear Code), reflecting the growing interest in diverse fuel options.
- Maritime Security: A resolution titled “Encouragement of maritime information-sharing through the use of national and regional maritime information-sharing centres to enhance maritime safety and security” was adopted. This aims to bolster collaboration and intelligence exchange to combat maritime threats more effectively.
- Cybersecurity: The Committee endorsed the development of a non-mandatory cybersecurity Code, inviting Member States and international organizations to submit proposals for a new output on this matter to MSC 111. This proactive approach aims to address the increasing cyber threats faced by the shipping industry.
- Pilot Transfer Arrangements: Important amendments to the SOLAS Convention (Safety of Life at Sea) and related instruments were adopted. These amendments strengthen safety-related requirements for pilot transfer arrangements, including the introduction of mandatory performance standards, marking a significant step forward in ensuring the safety of pilots and other personnel during transfers.
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Source: IMO
