Key Outcomes Of IACS Council Meeting In London (C90)

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) convened its Council meeting in London (C90) to address crucial updates in maritime safety, structural integrity, and environmental protection. Below are the highlights:

Revised Common Structural Rules (CSR)

• Purpose: The updated CSR aims to ensure higher safety and environmental standards, aligned with IMO’s Goal-Based Standards (GBS).
• Key Updates:
  • Incorporation of new wave load data.
  • Enhanced scientific validation and comprehensive technical background.
• Development Process:
  • Collaborative and inclusive consultation with stakeholders, including flag states, shipowners, and shipyards.
  • Transparent scrutiny to ensure effective and stakeholder-centric implementation.
• Timeline:
  • Adoption: 1 July 2027
  • Entry into force: 1 July 2029

IQARB Legal Incorporation

• Significance: The newly constituted IQARB provides an independent, transparent mechanism for flag states to enhance oversight of Recognized Organizations (ROs).
• Benefits:
  • Allows the IMO Member States to prioritize targeted safety and environmental oversight.
  • Strengthens maritime safety and marine environmental protection.

IACS Safety Contributions

• MSC 109 Participation: IACS submitted 20% of all action papers, addressing:
  • Goal-Based Standards (GBS)
  • Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)
  • Safe decarbonization initiatives
  • Formal Safety Assessment (FSA)
  • International Gas Carrier (IGC) and International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF) codes.
• Strategic Commitments:
  • Focus on safe decarbonization technologies, including Carbon Capture and Storage.
  • Promotion of safe digital transformation through initiatives like improved data quality and risk management for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).
  • Integration of human-centric design to mitigate risks and enhance ship-system interfaces.

Focus on the Human Element and Design

IACS emphasized the need for:

• Human-Centred Design: Improving crew interaction with ship systems to reduce risks.
• Safe Implementation of Novel Technologies: Ensuring compatibility of emerging technologies and fuels with operational safety.

Statement from IACS Chair

Roberto Cazzulo, IACS Council Chair, highlighted:

• The importance of safety-first approaches in integrating new technologies and fuels.
• The role of the revised CSR in enabling innovative ship designs while maintaining safety.
• Commitment to human-centred design as a core element of IACS’s future strategies.

This meeting reinforced IACS’s position as a leader in ensuring maritime safety, environmental protection, and the successful integration of new technologies in a rapidly evolving shipping landscape.