www.TheSeaNation.gr

The IMO Secretary General, Mr Koji Sekimizu, stated in his closing remarks at the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), 92nd session, held from June 12 to 21, 2013, that "The Costa Concordia safety review has been the most important safety issue at this session. The Committee has taken firm actions to set a clear direction towards a safety review over critical areas such as stability and survivability. Despite the short time available after the casualty investigation report was released, all delegations were prepared for discussion at this session and all areas of concern were evaluated based on the preliminary recommendations from Italy."

He also added, "In the work to come at the next session and in the respective sub-committees, we should ensure that all action would be taken fully to meet the procedures required by the Committee's guidelines and that justification for actions would be demonstrated, so that compelling need is always be demonstrated for the necessary improvements in our regulations.

I am sure we can do this and we can strengthen our regulations to avoid future tragic accidents. Lessons must be learned. I hope that further critical technical information such as information on penetration depth supporting the recommendation for double skin will be provided by Italy for further consideration. Intensive discussion at this Committee was only possible due to the availability of the casualty investigation report by Italy." View full closing remarks by the Secretary General at the end of MSC 92 here

From the above it looks like the IMO incident review may impinge on other ship types and the situation requires monitoring.

During the Session the following amendments were adopted:

The SOLAS convention (entry into force 01/01/2015),
SOLAS Ch.III to mandate enclosed space entry and rescue drills;
SOLAS Ch. III, for passenger ships, to require mustering of passengers before or upon departure (instead of within 24 hours);
SOLAS Ch. V to require BNWAS to be fitted on ships built before 2002 (with a phase-in scheme);
SOLAS Ch. XI-1 to make the Code for Recognized Organisations (RO code) mandatory;
The 1988 LL Protocol to make the RO code mandatory (entry into force 01/01/2015);
The 1972 CSC Convention (entry into force 01/07/2014);
The ISM Code (adding a paragraph on manning and updates of references) (entry into force01/01/2015);
The 1994 HSC Code (01/01/2015) to mandate enclosed space entry and rescue drills;
The 2000 HSC Code (01/01/2015) to mandate enclosed space entry and rescue drills;
The DSC Code (01/01/2015) to mandate enclosed space entry and rescue drills;
The 1973, 1989 2009 MODU Codes (01/01/2015) to mandate enclosed space entry and rescue drills;
The IMSBC Code to update the list of covered cargoes and to reinforce the process related to cargoes that may liquefy (entry into force 01/01/2015). (The specific case of iron ore fines is to be dealt with by the next DSC). It should also be noted that the amendment defines "sources of heat" (55°C or 50°C depending on the cargo), which is used in a number of schedules.

To complement the amendment, the MSC approved a circular recommending early implementation of the IMSBC Code amendment (from 01/01/2014) and a circular on guidelines for developing and approving procedures for sampling, testing and controlling the moisture content for solid bulk cargoes which may liquefy.

The Session also approved amendments (for adoption at MSC 93)
The MSC approved the draft amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code), with a view to subsequent adoption at MSC 93. These amendments actually replace the whole text of the IGC Code with a new one.

The MSC also approved:

- SOLAS amendments to Reg. II-2/4.5.5 requiring IGS for new oil or chemical tankers above 8,000 DWT (entry into force foreseen 1/2016?);
- SOLAS amendments to Reg.II-2/16 (Operational aspects for all chemical tankers allowing them to inert only before unloading);
- The revision of Chapter 15 of the FSS Code, combining the existing text with Resolution A 567(14) and with parts of the IACS UR F20, to include chemical tanker systems and nitrogen gas systems;
- Amendments to SOLAS Regs. II-2/3 and II-2/9.7, reinforcing the requirements for fire resistance of ventilation ducts for new ships;
- Amendments to SOLAS Reg. II-2/10, concerning specific fire protection requirements for on-deck cargo areas for new ships;
- Amendments to SOLAS Reg. II-2/13.4, concerning additional means of escape from machinery spaces for new passenger and cargo ships;
-Amendments to SOLAS Regs II-2/1 and 3, also a draft new regulation II-2/20-1, concerning requirements for ships carrying hydrogen and compressed natural gas vehicles for new ships;
- Amendments to the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code), to the

International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), to the Code for Existing Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (EGC Code), to the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (GC Code), and to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code). These amendments will require all tankers to carry stability instruments, when no other means are available to justify compliance of the loading condition with the relevant rules;

- A draft MSC resolution on requirements for periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats and rescue boats and draft amendments to SOLAS Chapter III to make the aforementioned requirements for periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats and rescue boats mandatory.
Goal-Based Standards: The Committee approved a circular on Guidelines for the approval of alternatives and equivalents as provided for in various IMO instruments.

The draft report of MSC 92, including all the above documents, is available on request from the GSCC Secretariat.