Maritime Safety Committee MSC 106 met in person on 2-11 November 2022, complemented by hybrid
facilities allowing remote participation.
Adoption of amendments
New SOLAS chapter XV and the new mandatory Code for Industrial Personnel
The Committee adopted the new SOLAS chapter XV and the associated new International Code of
Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code), developed by the Sub-Committee on Ship
Design and Construction (SDC 8).
The aim is to provide minimum safety standards for ships that carry industrial personnel, as well as for
the personnel themselves, and address specific risks of maritime operations within the offshore and
energy sectors, such as personnel transfer operations. Such personnel may be engaged in the
construction, maintenance, decommissioning, operation or servicing of offshore facilities, such as
windfarms, as well as offshore oil and gas installations, aquaculture, ocean mining or similar activities.
The amendments and Code are expected to enter into force on 1 July 2024.
SOLAS chapter II-2 in relation to flashpoint
The Committee adopted draft amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2, intended to prevent the supply of oil
fuel not complying SOLAS flashpoint requirements (60°C), enhancing the safety of ships using oil fuel.
The amendments add new definitions and provisions to SOLAS regulation II-2/4 (Probability of ignition),
including requiring that ships carrying oil fuel shall prior to bunkering be provided with a declaration
signed and certified by the fuel oil supplier's representative that the oil fuel supplied is in conformity with
regulation SOLAS II.2/4.2.1 and with the test method used for determining the flashpoint.
The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
SOLAS Protocol of 1978
The amendments to the 1978 SOLAS Protocol concern the Form of Safety Equipment Certificate for
Cargo Ships, ensuring harmonization with the forms of certificates in the appendix (Certificates) to the
annex to the 1974 SOLAS Convention, amended by resolution MSC.496(105) for consistency, as a result
of the GMDSS modernization.
The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
IGC and IGF Code amendments
The amendments to chapter 6 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships
Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) and to chapter 7 of the International Code of Safety for Ships
Using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) concern the application of high manganese
austenitic steel for cryogenic service in cargo and fuel tanks of LNG carriers and LNG-fuelled ships.
The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
2011 ESP Code
The amendments to the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys
of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, 2011 (2011 ESP Code) include those addressing inconsistencies on
examination of ballast tanks at annual surveys for bulk carriers and oil tankers the following requirement
contained in the condition evaluation report.
The amendments are expected to enter into force on1 July 2024.
IBC Code
The amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying
Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), relate to survivability and provide exclusions related to those
openings fitted with watertight closures for application of the conditions concerning flooding or
downflooding.
The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 July 2024.
Other matters
Following consideration of the reports of the Sub-Committees, the MSC:
• Adopted a number of ships routeing measures which were approved by the Sub-Committee on
Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR). The measures adopted will be
implemented on 1 June 2023
• Adopted resolution MSC.263(84)/Rev.1 on Performance standards and functional requirements for the
long-range identification and tracking of ships; and approved draft amendments to a number of LRITrelated circulars.
• Approved, for adoption by MSC 107, draft amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2 and the 1994 and 2000
HSC Codes to prohibit the use of fire-fighting foams containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The
regulations say that extinguishing media containing such foams shall be delivered to appropriate shorebased reception facilities when removed from the ship. PFOS is harmful to human health and the
environment.
• Approved Revised guidelines for the approval of fixed dry chemical powder fire-extinguishing systems
for the protection of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk (MSC.1/Circ.1315/Rev.1), in order to enhance
the safety level.
•Approved amendments to the Revised standardized life-saving appliance evaluation and test report
forms (MSC.1/Circ.1630), for circulation as MSC.1/Circ.1630/Rev.1
• Approved draft amendments regarding type of immersion and anti-exposure suits to the forms of the
record of equipment for certificates in the 1994 and 2000 HSC Codes and the SOLAS Convention, for
adoption by MSC 107.
• Approved amendments to the Guidelines for the development, review and validation of model courses,
to be issued as MSCMEPC.2/Circ.15/Rev.2.
• Approved, for adoption by MSC 107, draft amendments to STCW regulations I/1 and I/2, concerning
the inclusion of a new definition for "original form of any certificate required by the Convention"
emanating from the use of electronic certificates.
• Approved, for adoption by MSC 107, draft amendments to section A-I/2 of the STCW Code, clarifying
the application of existing terms and terminologies to the certificates and endorsements in electronic
form, for adoption by the Committee in conjunction with the adoption of related amendments to the 1978
STCW Convention.
• Approved, for adoption by MSC 107, draft amendments to SOLAS chapter V and the appendix
(Certificates), the 1978 SOLAS Protocol and the 1988 SOLAS Protocol, for the mandatory carriage of
electronic inclinometers for containerships and bulk carriers of 3,000 GT and upwards.
• Approved an MSC circular on Guidance for the dissemination of search and rescue related information
through the international enhanced group call service.
• Approved the revised NAVTEX Manual, to be issued as MSC.1/Circ.1403/Rev.2, with an effective date
of 1 January 2023.
• Approved a revision of the ECDIS Guidance for good practice, to be issued as MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.2.
The updated guidance includes, in particular, a new section on onboard ECDIS updates.
• Adopted an MSC resolution on Performance standards for electronic chart display and information
systems (ECDIS), which revises resolution MSC.232(82) and introduces a phased implementation of new
IHO product specifications (i.e. S-98, S-100 and S-101) for ECDIS as from 1 January 2026.
• Approved the draft IMO position on relevant agenda items of ITU WRC-23 concerning matters relating
to maritime services for submission to the ITU's Conference Preparatory Meeting for WRC-23. The next
World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) will be held in the United Arab Emirates from 20
November to 15 December 2023.
• Approved an MSC circular on Guidance on the training on and operation of emergency personal radio
devices in multiple casualty situations.
• Noted the status reports addressing audit observations and the updated list of all findings from Goalbased Standards (GBS) audits.
Resolutions adopted
Resolution.MSC..519(106) – Member States' obligations in connection with search and rescue services
under the SOLAS and SAR conventions in the context of armed conflicts
Resolution.MSC..520(106) – Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,
1974 (chapter ii-2)
Resolution.MSC.521(106) – Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,
1974, (chapter xv)
Resolution.MSC.522(106) – Amendments to the Protocol of 1978 relating to the Amendments to the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974
Resolution.MSC.263(84)/rev.1 – Performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range
identification and tracking of ships
Resolution.MSC.529(106) – Statement of recognition of maritime mobile satellite services provided by
CTTIC through BDMSS
Resolution.MSC.530(106) – Performance standards for electronic chart display and information systems
(ECDIS)
Resolution.MSC.523(106) – Amendments to the international code for the construction and equipment of
ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk (IGC code)
Resolution.MSC.524(106) – Amendments to the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases Or
Other Low-Flashpoint Fuels (IGF code)
Resolution.MSC.525(106) – Amendments to the International Code on The Enhanced Programme of
Inspections During Surveys Of Bulk Carriers And Oil Tankers, 2011 (2011 ESP Code)
Resolution.MSC.526(106) – Amendments to the Intern
Resolution.MSC.526(106) – Amendments to the International Code for The Construction And Equipment
Of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals In Bulk (IBC Code)
Resolution.MSC.527(106) – International Code of Safety For Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code)
Resolution.MSC.528(106) – Recommended cooperation to ensure the safety of life at sea, the rescue of
persons in distress at sea and the safe disembarkation of survivors
Circulars approved
MSC.1/Circ.1500/Rev.2 Guidance on drafting of amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention and related
mandatory instruments
MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.15/Rev.2 Guidelines for the development, review and validation of model courses
MSC.1/Circ.1164/Rev.26 Promulgation of information related to reports of independent evaluation
submitted by Parties to the 1978 STCW Convention confirmed by the Maritime Safety Committee to have
communicated information which demonstrates that Parties are giving full and complete effect to the
relevant provisions of the Convention
MSC.1/Circ.797/Rev.38 List of competent persons maintained by the Secretary-General pursuant to
section A-I/7 of the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code
MSC.1/Circ.1614/Rev.1 Revised interim guidelines on life-saving appliances and arrangements for ships
operating in polar waters
MSC.1/Circ.1315/Rev.1 Revised guidelines for the approval of fixed dry chemical powder fireextinguishing systems for the protection of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk
MSC.1/Circ.1655 Unified interpretations of SOLAS chapter II-2
MSC.1/Circ.1630/Rev.1 Revised standardized life-saving appliance evaluation and test report forms
COLREG.2/Circ.78 Traffic separation schemes and associated measures
SN.1/Circ.342 Routeing measures other than traffic separation schemes
MSC.1/Circ.1259/Rev.9 Long-range identification and tracking system – Technical documentation (part
I)
MSC.1/Circ.1307/Rev.1 Guidance on the survey and certification of compliance of ships with the
requirement to transmit LRIT information
MSC.1/Circ.1376/Rev.5 Continuity of service plan for the LRIT system
MSC.1/Circ.1656 GMDSS operating guidance for ships in distress situations
MSC.1/Circ.1657 Procedure for responding to DSC distress alerts by ships
MSC.1/Circ.1658 Guidance on distress alerts
MSC.1/Circ.892/Rev.1 Guidance on alerting of search and rescue authorities
MSC.1/Circ.1659 Guidance for the dissemination of search and rescue related information through the
international enhanced group call service
MSC.1/Circ.1403/Rev.2 NAVTEX Manual
MSC.1/Circ.1660 Guidance on the training on and operation of emergency personal radio devices in
multiple casualty situations
MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.2 ECDIS – Guidance for good practice
MSC.1/Circ.1661 Guidance framework for the application of casualty cases and lessons learned to
seafarers' education and training
MSC-MEPC.1/Circ.5/Rev.4 Organization and method of work of the Maritime Safety Committee and the
Marine Environment Protection
