IFSMA Monthly Logs

IFSMA attended two IMO meetings in this period, namely the Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC) 12 17-21 September 2007 and the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) 83 3-12 October 2007 in Copenhagen.

IFSMA also held its Executive Council Meeting in Lisbon from 24^th to 27^th September and made a formal presentation to EMSA on 25^th September 2007.

The Secretary General made a presentation at the Lifeboat Workshop held in London on October 18^th 2007

Other meetings attended by the Secretary General were the Human Element Action Group on October 15th and  the Industry Lifeboat group on 23^rd October 2007

Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) 83 3-12 October 2007 in Copenhagen.

The key outcomes were as follows:

Amendments to SOLAS

The MSC adopted the following amendments to SOLAS chapters IV and VI, SOLAS appendix, the INF Code, which is mandatory under SOLAS chapter VII, and the 1988 SOLAS Protocol.

Amendment to SOLAS chapter IV, to add a new regulation 4-1 on GMDSS satellite providers. The new regulation provides for the MSC to determine the criteria, procedures and arrangements for the evaluation, recognition, review and oversight of the provision of mobile satellite communication services in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). The amendment is expected to enter into force on 1 July 2009

The MSC also approved the related draft revised Criteria for the provision of mobile-satellite communication systems in the GMDSS (resolution A.888(21)), for submission to and adoption by the IMO Assembly at its 25th session in November this year.

Amendment to SOLAS chapter VI, to add a new regulation 5-1 on material safety data sheets (MSDS), to require ships carrying MARPOL Annex I cargoes (oil) and marine fuel oils to be provided with a material safety data sheet prior to loading such cargoes. The regulation refers to the Recommendation for material safety data sheets (MSDS) for MARPOL Annex I cargoes and marine fuel oils, adopted by the Organization through Resolution MSC.150(77). The amendment is expected to enter into force on 1 July 2009.

Amendment to the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes on Board Ships (INF Code), specifically, to Chapter 2, on Damage Stability, to bring it into line with updates to SOLAS. The amendment is expected to enter into force on 1 July 2009.

Amendments to forms contained in the appendix to the Annex to the 1988 SOLAS Protocol to add a section to cover alternative design and arrangements (Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate and Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate). Also, similar amendments to the forms for the Nuclear Passenger Safety Certificate and the Nuclear Cargo Ship Safety Certificate contained in the appendix to the Annex to the 1974 SOLAS Convention. The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 July 2009.

Long Range Identification and Tracking

The MSC made a number of decisions to ensure the timely implementation of the LRIT system.

International LRIT Data Exchange (IDE)

The MSC accepted the contingency offer of the United States to host, build and operate, on an interim and temporary basis, the International LRIT Data Exchange (IDE), agreeing that a permanent home should be found for the IDE as soon as possible (within two years from 1 January 2008, subject to a further review by the Committee). An MSC resolution on Establishment of the IDE on an interim basis was adopted.

The LRIT system will consist of the shipborne LRIT information transmitting equipment, the Communication Service Provider(s), the Application Service Provider(s), the LRIT Data Centre(s), including any related Vessel Monitoring System(s), the LRIT Data Distribution Plan and the IDE. The LRIT Data Centres communicate with each other and exchange information and data though the IDE and thus the IDE has a key and pivotal role in the establishment and functioning of the system

LRIT information will be provided to Contracting Governments and search and rescue services entitled to receive the information, upon request, through a system of National, Regional, Co-operative and International LRIT Data Centres, using where necessary, the IDE

The establishment of the interim IDE will allow the LRIT system to be launched on schedule with multiple LRIT Data Centres operating and joined through the IDE.

Use of LRIT information for safety and environmental protection purposes

The MSC adopted a resolution Use of Long-range identification and tracking information for safety and environmental purposes, which notes that such use of LRIT information would add significant value to existing systems by improving knowledge of ships' positions and identity. The resolution states that MSC agrees that Contracting Governments may request, receive and use LRIT information for safety and environmental protection purposes.

SOLAS regulation V/19-1 on LRIT will enter into force on 1 January 2008 and will apply to ships constructed on or after 31 December 2008 with a phased-in implementation schedule for ships constructed before 31 December 2008. The LRIT system is intended to be operational with respect to the transmission of LRIT information by ships from 30 December 2008.

Goal-based new ship construction standards

A work plan for the further development of GBS was agreed, with both the prescriptive and the safety level approach included as integral elements of IMO GBS. The plan includes:

·      clarification of the work to be done to develop a generic GBS framework;

·      identification and compilation of the elements of the framework that have already been agreed to or proposed in previous MSC submissions, working group reports or other IMO instruments (e.g., FSA Guidelines, HEAP process guidelines) and identification of existing gaps; and

·      development of a prioritized plan to close the gaps and provide a unified framework that ensures consistent development of GBS, i.e. both the prescriptive and safety level approaches.

The MSC also agreed a short term plan, which would lead to finalization of the GBS for bulk carriers and oil tankers, including Tier III and the associated SOLAS amendments, with adoption of relevant SOLAS amendments and associated guidelines at MSC 86, scheduled for 2009.

Measures to enhance maritime security

Security arrangements for non-SOLAS vessels

A correspondence group has been formed and was instructed to develop recommendatory guidelines to enhance maritime security to complement measures required by SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, which could be utilized by Contracting Governments and/or Administrations at their own discretion. The aim is to address security measures for possible application by non SOLAS vessels in order to protect non-SOLAS vessels against security threats; and prevent non-SOLAS vessels from posing a security threat to other vessels and port facilities.

Container security

The MSC approved a Joint MSC/FAL circular on Securing and facilitating international trade, relating to security and facilitation of the movement of closed cargo transport units and of freight containers transported by sea. The circular was first approved by the Facilitation Committee at its 34th session in March 2007, and will now be issued.

Security-related training

The MSC endorsed proposed draft amendments to the STCW Convention. The proposed amendments relate to regulation VI/1 and sections A-VI/1 and B-VI/1, addressing the basic security-related training, and security-related familiarization training, for seafarers without designated security-related duties and for all shipboard personnel, respectively; and propose a new regulation VI/6 and new sections A-VI/6 and B VI/6, addressing the standards of competency, and security-related familiarization training, for seafarers with designated security-related duties.

The intention is that the draft amendments will be reviewed by the Sub Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW), in conjunction with the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and the STCW Code, being carried out by the STW Sub-Committee.

The MSC also decided that seafarers serving on ships which are not required to comply with SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code should be required to undertake basic security-related training or instruction

Implementation of the revised STCW Convention

The list of Parties deemed to be giving full and complete effect to the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, was updated following the submission by the Secretary-General of his report on those countries whose reports of independent evaluations had been completed since the previous MSC meeting.

Ships' routeing systems, ship reporting and other relevant measures
The MSC adopted twenty-two proposals on ships' routeing systems, ship reporting and other relevant measures all aimed at enhancing the safety of navigation in areas of identified navigational hazards and environmentally sensitive sea areas, which had been approved by the sub Committee on Safety of Navigation (NAV)

Rodger MacDonald
Secretary General