Main decisions of the IMO SDC 9

The International Maritime Organization Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 9) met from 23rd to 27th January 2023.

The main decisions from this meeting were published on IMO's website:

Emergency towing arrangements - extension to ships other than tankers

Draft SOLAS amendments to apply requirements for emergency towing equipment for tankers to other types of ships were agreed, for submission to the next session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for approval with a view to subsequent adoption.

The draft amendments to SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-4 – Emergency towing arrangements and procedures - would require emergency towing arrangements to be fitted on ships other than tankers of 20,000 gross tonnage and above, constructed on or after the entry into force date of the amendments.

Such arrangements shall, at all times, be capable of rapid deployment in the absence of main power on the ship to be towed and easy connection to the towing ship.

The Sub-Committee also agreed on the need to amend the Guidelines on emergency towing arrangements for tankers (resolution MSC.35(63), as amended) to address all types of ships covered by the draft new regulation.

Prohibiting asbestos on MODUs

The Sub-Committee agreed draft amendments to the 1979, 1989 and 2009 Codes for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU Codes) to prohibit materials which contain asbestos.

The draft amendments will be submitted to the MSC for adoption, with a view to entry into effect on 1 January 2024.

The Sub-Committee also agreed to a draft unified interpretation, to clarify that existing materials stowed on board before 1 January 2024 are not prohibited from being retained on board but should not be installed unless they can be documented to be asbestos-free before use/installation.

Draft new guidelines for maintenance and monitoring of materials containing asbestos on board MODUs were also agreed, for approval by the MSC.

Safe return to port – revision of the explanatory notes

The Sub-Committee began its work to revise the Interim explanatory notes for the assessment of passenger ship capabilities after a fire or flooding casualty (MSC.1/Circ.1369).

The interim guidelines were issued in 2010 to provide additional guidance for the implementation of a package of SOLAS amendments adopted in 2006 , affecting passenger ships built after 1 July 2010. 

The amendments were the result of a comprehensive review of passenger ship safety initiated in 2000 with the aim of assessing whether the SOLAS regulations in force at the time were adequate, in particular for the large passenger ships being built.

Increased emphasis is placed on reducing the chances of accidents occurring and on improved survivability, embracing the concept of the ship "as its own best lifeboat" and a philosophy of "safe return to port".

The review of the interim guidelines will take into account more than a decade of advancement in technology and design. A correspondence group was established to progress the work intersessionally.

Safe novel and innovative designs for ships – development of guidelines

The Sub-Committee continued its work on developing safety objectives and functional requirements of the Guidelines on alternative design and arrangements for SOLAS chapter II-1 - Construction - Subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations - as an important step to ensure safe novel and innovative designs for ships.

SOLAS requirements already allow the approval of alternative designs and arrangements, provided that they meet the intent of the requirements concerned and provide an equivalent level of safety.

To support the development of new designs and alternative technology, the MSC has been developing goals and functional requirements.

The Sub-Committee agreed, in principle, to the goals for SOLAS chapter II-1, parts C (Machinery installations) and E (Additional requirements for periodically unattended machinery spaces).

Also agreed, in principle, were the outcome of failure modes/hazards identification for SOLAS chapter II-1, parts C and E.

ESP Code – amendments agreed

The Sub-Committee agreed to draft amendments to the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, 2011 (ESP Code), for submission to MSC 107 for approval, with a view to subsequent adoption.

They relate to the procedures for approval and certification of a firm engaged in thickness measurement of hull structures contained in the Code, so as to permit Administrations to exercise the right of auditing a company conducting thickness measurement of hull structures.

Revised performance standards for water level detectors - amendment agreed

The Sub-Committee agreed to draft amendments to the Revised performance standards for water level detectors on ships subject to SOLAS regulations II-1/25, II-1/25-1 and XII/12 (resolution MSC.188(79)/Rev.1), for submission to MSC 107 for adoption and dissemination as MSC.188(79)/Rev.2.

The draft amendments aim to accurately define the measurement of the installation height of sensors.