The Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment held its 12th session at IMO Headquarters in London from 9 to 13 March and was chaired by Mr. Hironori Eguro (Japan). Polish Register of Shipping was represented at the session by Ms. Ewelina Galant, Machinery and Equipment Department Technical Specialist and Mr. Marcin Kolinski, Machinery and Equipment Department Technical Specialist.
Some of the significant outcomes from SSE 12 are presented below:
The Sub-Committee finalized the following:
- draft amendments to SOLAS regulations II-2/3 and II-2/9 to incorporate existing guidance and clarify requirements. The amendments are expected to be approved by MSC 112 (December 2026) and adopted at MSC 113 (2027);
- a proposal to modify the “Temperature cycling test – test data” sheets to ascertain the confirmation about exposure of prototype sample to ordinary room temperature condition between the hot and cold cycles of LSA and to record the associated information in various applicable revised standardized lifesaving appliance evaluation and test report forms. The draft amendments to circulars MSC.1/Circ.1628/Rev.4, MSC.1/Circ.1629, MSC.1/Circ.1630/Rev.3 and MSC.1/Circ.1633 will be submitted to MSC 112 for approval.
The Sub-Committee continued the work on:
- new requirements for ventilation of partially enclosed lifeboats, which are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2032;
- development of the goal-based amendments to SOLAS chapter III and the LSA Code;
- amendments to SOLAS chapter III and chapter IV of the LSA Code to require the carriage of self-righting or canopied reversible liferafts for new ships, which are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2032;
- comprehensive review of resolution MSC.402(96) (Requirements for Maintenance, Thorough Examination, Operational Testing, Overhaul and Repair of Lifeboats and Rescue Boats, Launching Appliances and Release Gear);
- development of 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;
- evaluation of the 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 Sub-Committee developed a draft work plan to consider the safety regulations for the alternative fuels and new technologies, such as: Methyl/ethyl alcohol fuels, Fischer-Tropsch (FT) diesel; Lithium-Ion Batteries; Supercapacitor Energy Storage technology; Swappable traction lithium-ion battery containers and Advanced Waste Heat Recovery.
