The IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE), chaired by Hironori Eguro from Japan, held its 11th session from 24 to 28 February 2025. The agenda was dominated by topics related to onboard fire protection and life-saving appliances. IUMI was represented by the Secretariat as well as four technical experts from IUMI’s membership to participate in the Fire Protection Working Group (FPWG).
Containership fires
The Sub-Committee has been tasked to develop amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the FSS Code concerning detection and control of fires in cargo holds and on the cargo deck of containerships. This issue has been advanced to the IMO’s agenda with strong input from IUMI. The Cargosafe study served as a basis for the Committee’s and FPWG’s initial discussions and includes various potential risk control options. For this session, IUMI co-sponsored a document authored by the Republic of Korea recommending the use of video fire detection (VFD) for containers stowed on deck. Currently, there is no fire detection system available for this area at all, hence VFD would be an important step forward for earlier and improved detection of fires.
The FPWG was tasked with an extensive list of topics to consider:
- SOLAS amendments for the carriage of infrared thermal imagers.
- Guidelines for the design, performance, testing, and approval of water mist lances.
- SOLAS amendments for fixed water monitors.
- Active protection systems, e.g. spraying water horizontally below the hatch coaming.
- Application and approval standards of video fire detection systems.
Progress was made on the SOLAS requirements for the carriage of IR imagers as well as for the guidelines for water mist lances and extended reach tools such as “Hydropen”. At least two portable infrared thermal imagers, suitable for screening and detecting hot areas and to confirm the location of a fire will have to be provided on board newbuild containerships to help with the localisation and confirmation of fires. However, further discussions are still necessary on several details and will be continued in an inter-sessional Correspondence Group.
A major improvement for fire protection on containerships will be fixed water monitors (FWMs). These were also discussed in the Working Group and certain questions related to the necessary capacity and reach were raised. Further consideration will therefore be given to the requirements for FWMs in the Correspondence Group prior to the next SSE session.
Due to time constraints, the group did not manage to address all items it was tasked with; work on these will therefore also continue in the Correspondence Group.
Based on the progress made so far, the Sub-Committee aims for the next SOLAS amendment cycle, i.e. 2032, for the mandatory amendments. All changes will then be considered as a package rather than certain amendments being implemented in 2028 and others in 2032.
New energy vehicles
MSC 105 had agreed to include work on the “Evaluation of adequacy of fire protection, detection and extinction arrangements in vehicle, special category and ro-ro spaces in order to reduce the fire risk of ships carrying new energy vehicles”. The agenda item should be considered by the SSE Sub-Committee and completed in four sessions, i.e. starting in 2024 and concluding in 2027.
The FPWG agreed on a draft action plan with the objective to enhance fire safety measures for ships carrying new energy vehicles, including EVs, through improved fire detection, prevention, and extinguishing systems. It consists of five pillars:
- Review of scientific reports, studies, new technologies and casualty reports.
- Identification of hazards related to new energy vehicles compared to ICEVs.
- Consideration of a goal-based approach.
- Identification of gaps in existing regulations and consideration of the way forward.
- Identification of placeholders for possible future amendments.
The broad scope of work involving multiple technical aspects ranging from fire detection to extinguishing systems requires careful consideration and prioritisation of tasks. Further work is necessary and will continue in the Correspondence Group prior to SSE 12. IUMI will participate in the CG to provide input on containership fire safety and the safe carriage of new energy vehicles.
A special thanks to our expert members who actively contributed to discussions in the SSE 11 Fire Protection Working Group:
- Ricky Braz, Marine Underwriter, Single Risk, Specialty Reinsurance, Munich Re
- Sebastian Kempka, Senior Consultant, Technical Risk Service & Nautical Science, Köln Assekuranz & Member, IUMI Loss Prevention Committee
- Capt. Andrew Kinsey, Director, Marine Consulting, Integrated Specialty Coverages & Vice Chair, IUMI Loss Prevention Committee
- Martti Simojoki, Loss Prevention Manager, The Swedish Club & Member, IUMI Loss Prevention Committee
