INTERCARGO's Briefs for IMO's SDC 10

The tenth session of the IMO Sub-Committee On Ship Design And Construction  (SDC 10)  took place from Monday 22^nd   to Friday 26^th   January 2024.

The following bulk carrier specific topics, were discussed, inter alia, at SDC 10;

• ESP Code – Agenda item 6 Amendments to the 2011 ESP Code
• Permanent Means of Access – Agenda item 10 Unified interpretation of provisions of IMO safety, security, and environment-related conventions

Other topics discussed include, but not limited to:

• Steering Gear – Agenda item 8 Revision of SOLAS Chapters II-1 (Part C) and V, and related instruments regarding steering and propulsion requirements, to address both traditional and non-traditional propulsion and steering systems
• Underwater Noise – Agenda item 5 Review of the 2014 Guidelines for the reduction of underwater noise from commercial shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life (MEPC.1/Circ.833) (2014 Guidelines) and identification of next steps
• Alternative Fuels – Agenda item 16 Any Other Business

Key outcomes include:

ESP

• The Sub-Committee agreed to develop draft amendments to the ESP Code for the use of Remote Survey Techniques (RIT)  being applied for use during close-up surveys of existing ships. This work will be carried out intersessionally by a Correspondence Group.

Permanent Means of Access

• The Sub-Committee agreed to the draft Unified Interpretation of SOLAS regulation II-1/3-6 regarding regular inspections of the Permanent Means of Access (PMA).

Steering Gear

• The Sub-Committee commenced its work on SOLAS Steering Gear and Propulsion requirementse. SOLAS Chapter II-1 Regulations 28, 29 and 30
• The Sub-Committee agreed that for new vessels the regulations (28, 29 and 30) should be Goal Based rather than prescriptive.
• The Sub-Committee established a Correspondence Group to further the work.

The Pre-Brief  and Outcome Brief for this meeting are available below