A few months ago, IMO sat for the 101st MSC session to discuss and draft regulations regarding potential issues pertaining to international shipping. In this session, few draft policies were adopted which are highlighted in the press briefing published on the IMO website.
Here are the draft policies adopted in the 101st MSC Session
Safety Certificate, SPS Equipment Recording etc.
Adopted amendments to the Safety Certificate and the Record of Equipment for the Special Purpose Ship (SPS) Safety Certificate of the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (SPS Code).
Dangerous Chemicals Carrying Ship Amendments
Adopted amendments to the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code), to update in line with corresponding amendments to the IBC Code.
Float Free Radio Beacon Standards
Adopted performance standards for float-free emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) operating on 406 MHz, which are proposed to be applicable to float-free EPIRBs operating on the frequency 406 MHz installed on or after three years from the date of their adoption by MSC 101 in June 2019. The performance standards include, inter alia, requirements for EPIRBs to be provided with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) locating signal and consolidate type approval provisions.
Traffic Separation and Routeing Measures
Adopted new traffic separation schemes (TSSs) and associated routeing measures and of precautionary areas with recommended directions of traffic flow in the Sunda and Lombok Straits, Indonesia, to minimize the risk of collision between ships and grounding.
English Channel Navigation Recommendations
Adopted amendments to the Recommendations on navigation through the English Channel and the Dover Strait (resolution A.475(XII), related to the termination of the voluntary movement ship reporting system MAREP.
Procedure for Ship Routeing System Amendments
Approved a Procedure for the submission of documents containing proposals for the establishment of, or amendments to, ships’ routeing systems or ship reporting systems.
VDR Testing Guidelines
Approved amendments to update the Guidelines on annual testing of voyage data recorders (VDR) and simplified voyage data recorders (S-VDR) (MSC.1/Circ.1222), clarifying the examination of float-free capsules approved in accordance with resolution MSC.333(90).
Special Category Spaces Fire Minimization Guidelines
Approved Interim guidelines for minimizing the incidence and consequences of fires in ro-ro spaces and special category spaces of new and existing ro-ro passenger ships.
Approved Revised Guidelines on alternative design and arrangements for SOLAS chapters II-1 and III.
LRIT System Service Plan
Approved, in relation to the Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) of ships, amendments to MSC.1/Circ.1376/Rev.3 on Continuity of service plan for the LRIT system and MSC.1/Circ.1259/Rev.7 on LRIT system – Technical documentation (Part I) and approved a revision of the Principles and guidelines relating to the review and audit of the performance of LRIT Data Centres and the International LRIT Data Exchange (MSC.1/Circ.1412/Rev.1).
IMO’s Maritime Radiocommunication Matter Position
Approved the IMO position on maritime radiocommunication matters for submission to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19), to be held in November 2019.
Maritime Safety Information Instruments
Approved amendments to Maritime Safety Information (MSI)-related instruments to accommodate amendments to SOLAS adopted in 2018 (entering into force on 1January 2020), in connection to new mobile satellite services recognized by IMO to be used in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), and allow the broadcast of MSI to a defined geographical area through those newly recognized services, in addition to the existing Inmarsat services (MSI includes navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts and other urgent safety-related messages broadcast to ships).
The amendments relate to: Revised International SafetyNET Manual (MSC.1/Circ.1364/Rev.1), Promulgation of maritime safety information (resolution A.705(17), as amended), World-Wide Navigational Warning Service (resolution A.706(17), as amended), IMO/WMO Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service guidance document (resolution A.1051(27)).
Fleet Safety Technical Requirements
Approved Interim guidance on technical requirements for Fleet Safety, a new enhanced group calling service provided by Inmarsat for use in the GMDSS in the coverage area under the Inmarsat-4 Middle East and Asia (MEAS) region satellite.
Iridium Safety Cast Manual Circulation
Agreed to circulate an Interim Iridium SafetyCast service manual providing information on Iridium’s enhanced group calling service for use in the GMDSS, to be taken into account when conducting system trials and tests until a final text of the manual is approved by the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR).
Ad Hoc Working Group 4th Session Meeting
Agreed to hold the fourth session of the Joint FAO/ILO/IMO Ad Hoc Working Group on IUU Fishing and Related Matters (JWG 4), from 23 to 25 October 2019 directly after the Ministerial Conference on Fishing Vessel Safety and IUU Fishing, in Torremolinos, Spain, from 21 to 23 October 2019.
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Source: IMO
