The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Subcommittee on Ship Design and Construction recently held its 12th session (SDC 12), during which it finalized and advanced a series of guidelines, amendments, and work plans related to ship safety, design, and operation, reported DNV.
Among the main results, the Subcommittee completed the revision of the Explanatory Notes on the concept of Safe Return to Port for passenger ships. These notes expand the scope of existing guidance to cover the entire life cycle of the ship, from design and verification to testing and operational aspects. The new text will apply to ships whose construction contract is signed on or after January 1, 2028, or whose keel is laid on or after July 1 of that year, or whose delivery takes place on or after January 1, 2032. The draft will be submitted to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111) in May 2026.
In terms of inspections, SDC 12 finalized guidelines for the use of remote inspection techniques under the 2011 ESP Code, which allow inspectors to be supported by drones, remotely operated vehicles, or other devices, without direct physical access. These guidelines accompany previously approved amendments to allow their use on existing tankers and bulk carriers and will be submitted to MSC 111 for consideration.
The Subcommittee also agreed on draft amendments to the 2011 ESP Code to harmonize fracture detection procedures between bulk carriers and tankers, as well as modifications to the technical provisions on means of access to cargo holds in single-sided bulk carriers (hull with a single side wall), with an expected entry into force in 2032.
With regard to new technologies and alternative fuels, SDC 12 developed a work plan to develop a safety framework covering lithium-ion batteries, wind propulsion, and nuclear energy. The preliminary schedule envisages possible amendments to the SOLAS Convention and associated guidelines between 2028 and 2030, depending on the technology considered.
In parallel, the Subcommittee made progress in developing performance standards for alarm management in machinery control rooms, after agreeing on an initial outline and a roadmap that aims to finalize these standards in 2028.
Another milestone was the completion of the review of the provisional regulations on the use of fiber-reinforced plastics in ship structures, focusing on fire safety aspects. The updated text will be submitted to MSC 111 for approval.
In the field of propulsion, SDC 12 considered a revision of Chapter II-1 of the SOLAS Convention to incorporate both traditional systems and modern propulsion and steering configurations, with target-based requirements and a possible entry into force in 2032. Work also continued on new international maneuverability standards applicable to new ships.
The Subcommittee also agreed on draft technical guidance to jointly optimize energy efficiency and underwater radiated noise reduction, which will be forwarded to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84).
Other issues addressed included the assessment of provisions on escape routes in machinery spaces, where no additional safety issues were identified, and the development of amendments to the MODU Code 2009 relating to emergency stop systems. Analysis of access and ventilation requirements in spaces housing nitrogen tanks also continued, and this work will continue at the next session.
The decisions adopted by SDC 12 are subject to review and final approval by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee at its upcoming meetings.
News and image obtained: "Mundo Marítimo"
