IUMI was represented by Lars Lange and Nick Gooding at the Maritime Safety Committee Meeting (MSC97) at the IMO in November 2016. The main matters of interest to come out of the meeting are set out below.
- INTERIM RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CARRIAGE OF LIQUEFIED HYDROGEN IN BULK ADOPTED
The MSC adopted interim recommendations for the carriage of liquefied hydrogen in bulk, which have been developed as the International Gas Carrier (IGC) Code does not specify requirements for the carriage of this bulk cargo.
The recommendations are based on the results of a comparison study of similar cargoes listed in the IGC Code, e.g. liquefied natural gas, and are intended to facilitate the establishment of a tripartite agreement for a pilot ship that will be developed for the research and demonstration of safe long-distance overseas carriage of liquefied hydrogen in bulk.
The interim recommendations contain general requirements and special requirements for the carriage of liquefied hydrogen in bulk by ship, such as the provision of a portable hydrogen detector for each crew member working in the cargo area; a selection of fire detectors for detecting hydrogen fire; and appropriate safety measures to prevent formation of an explosive mixture in case of a leakage of hydrogen.
- NAVIGATION AROUND OFFSHORE MULTIPLE STRUCTURES.
The MSC adopted, subject to subsequent confirmation by the IMO Assembly, amendments on a recommendation to governments to take into account safety of navigation when multiple structures at sea, such as wind turbines, are being planned.
The amendment would add a new paragraph in the general provisions on ships' routing, on establishing multiple structures at sea. It recommends that governments take into account, as far as possible, the impact multiple structures at sea, including but not limited to wind turbines, could have on the safety of navigation. This would include considering radar interference, traffic density, the presence of routing measures in the area, and the maneuverability of ships.
3. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STANDARD OF TRAINING CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS CONVENTION (STCW)
With the approaching end of the transitional provisions of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention on 31 December 2016, concern was expressed regarding the status of compliance of some parties, given that a number of administrations may not be in a position to issue STCW certificates in accordance with the requirement of the Convention by 1st January 2017. As this is not the fault of the crew on board, or their company, the Committee agreed to issue a MSC circular providing advice to Port State Control authorities to take a practical approach, for the first six months of 2017, to inspections in cases where seafarers had not been issued with compliant certificates.
4. MEASURES TO ENHANCE MARITIME SECURITY.
A paper, submitted by the Islamic Republic of Iran, proposing the development of a mandatory instrument to ensure the consistent application of cyber security measures and procedures on board ships and on shore-based systems interfacing with ships, was discussed. The Committee decided to wait for the Facilitation Committee (FAL 41) to complete its work, in parallel, before considering further, any mandatory guidelines.
5. PIRACY AND ARMED ROBBERY AGAINST SHIPS
Information received showed that, up until 5 September 2016, there had been a reduction of 35 per cent in piracy and armed robbery cases reported compared with the same period in 2015 off the coast of Somalia. However, an increase in incidents of 96 per cent over the same period had been seen in West Africa. The EU Naval Counter Piracy Force, who operate off the coast of Somalia, has had its mandate extended to the end of 2018.
With regard to the Gulf of Guinea, a new ‘Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade (MDAT-GOG)’ has been established by the governments of France and the UK, and went live on 20 June 2016 from centres in Brest and Portsmouth respectively.
6. ADDRESSING CARGOES THAT MAY LIQUEIFY
The MSC approved draft amendments to paragraphs 4.5.1 and 4.5.2 of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code) to emphasise the responsibility of the shipper for ensuring a test to determine the transportable moisture limit (TML) of a solid bulk cargo, as well as sampling and testing for moisture content, are conducted. The draft amendments will be put forward for subsequent adoption by MSC 98 together with the next set of draft amendments to the IMSBC Code, set to be adopted in 2017 with entry into force in 2020.
