New Maritime Safety Standards: SOLAS 2009 and Beyond

Introduction

MGN 692 (M), published on 19 December 2023, presents the consolidated text of the Revised Explanatory Notes to the SOLAS Chapter II-1 Subdivision and Damage Stability Regulations, reflecting the continual evolution of maritime safety standards. Originating from the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Resolution MSC.216(82), these changes mark a significant shift from the SOLAS 90 to the SOLAS 2009 amendments, introducing a probabilistic approach to damage stability.

Transition from SOLAS 90 to SOLAS 2009 Amendments

The SOLAS 2009 amendments, effective from 1 January 2009, replaced the deterministic damage stability and subdivision regulations for passenger ships with a new probabilistic damage stability calculation procedure. This shift signaled the removal of concepts such as floodable length and the factor of subdivision, aligning the requirements for dry cargo ships of 80 meters in length and above with those for passenger ships.

Harmonization and Further Amendments: SOLAS 2020

Further amendments, known as the SOLAS 2020 amendments, were introduced by IMO Resolutions MSC.421(98) and MSC.436(99), coming into force on 1 January 2020. These amendments were accompanied by the first revisions to the explanatory notes in IMO Resolution MSC.429(98), also effective from 1 January 2020.

Consolidated Revisions and Implementation

The consolidated revisions, including all amendments made to the explanatory notes since 2009, were approved and adopted by IMO at MSC 102 under Resolutions MSC.429(98)/Rev.1 and MSC.429(98)/Rev.2. With Rev.2 revoking Rev.1 on 1 January 2024, these revisions align with the new requirements in SOLAS Chapter II-1 introduced by IMO Resolution MSC.474(102), also effective from the same date.

Impact on UK Maritime Law

MSC.474(102) is automatically effective in UK law, as per the ambulatory reference provision in regulation 6 of the Merchant Shipping (Cargo and Passenger Ship Construction and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023. This integration signifies a commitment to international maritime safety standards and reflects the evolving landscape of maritime regulations.

All regulations can be found at legislation.gov.uk

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

Revised Notes to the SOLAS Chapter II-1 Subdivision and Damage Stability Regulations