Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE), 7th session, 2-6 March 2020
Safe operation of on-shore power supply to ships – interim guidelines agreed
In addition to choosing cleaner, greener fuels, utilizing onshore power supply service (also known as "cold ironing", "alternative maritime power" and "shore-side electricity") is another solution to reducing air pollution and emissions from ships, as well as limiting local noise.
IMO is addressing the need for global standards for the process of providing shoreside electrical power to a ship at berth, while its main and auxiliary engines are turned off.
Interim Guidelines on safe operation of on-shore power supply (OPS) service in port for ships engaged on international voyages were finalized by the Sub-Committee, for submission to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for approval.
Preventing accidents with lifting appliances and winches – draft guidelines agreed
The Sub-Committee agreed to draft guidelines for lifting appliances and made progress on corresponding draft guidelines for anchor handling winches. Both sets of guidelines will complement relevant draft SOLAS regulations currently also under development.
A correspondence group was established to continue the work intersessionally.
The guidelines form part of the Sub-Committee's work to prevent accidents related to lifting appliances and anchor handling winches, which have caused harm to operators and damage to ships, cargo, shore-based structures and subsea structures, as well as to the marine environment.
Minimizing ro-ro fires - draft amendments agreed
On fire safety, the Sub-Committee continued its work to minimize the incidence and consequences of fires on ro-ro passenger ships, following a number of recent serious accidents.
The session focused on potential draft amendments to the SOLAS Convention and associated codes, to enhance fire prevention, detection and extinction on these ship types.
A correspondence group was established to continue the work intersessionally.
The Sub-Committee finalized draft amendments to chapter 9 of the International Fire Safety Systems Code (FSS Code), as well as to the Revised guidelines for the design and approval of fixed water-based fire-fighting systems for ro-ro spaces and special category spaces (MSC.1/Circ.1430/Rev.1) and the Guidelines for the maintenance and inspections of fixed carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems (MSC.1/Circ.1318); and further progressed the revision of the 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).
Ventilation requirements for survival craft further developed
The Sub-Committee further developed draft amendments to the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code addressing the ventilation of survival craft, especially enclosed lifeboats, and related draft amendments to the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70)).
The aim is to ensure a habitable environment is maintained in such survival craft at all times. Work in relation to partially enclosed lifeboats and liferafts will continue at the next session, and a correspondence group was established to progress matters intersessionally.
Revision of the Standardized life-saving appliance evaluation and test report forms
The Sub-Committee completed the revision of the Standardized life-saving appliance evaluation and test report forms (MSC/Circ.980), which will be of benefit to Administrations and other parties, such as manufacturers, test facilities, owners and surveyors, in particular facilitating the mutual acceptance of type approvals of appliances carried out by other Administrations. The forms were divided into six separate circulars, each corresponding to the relevant chapter of the LSA Code, in order to facilitate their use and future amendments.
Revision of the Code of Safety for Diving Systems commenced
The Sub-Committee commenced a review of the Code of Safety for Diving Systems (last updated in 1995 by resolution A.831(19)) and the associated Guidelines and specifications for hyperbaric evacuation systems (resolution A.692(17)).
A correspondence group was established to consider key areas to be addressed and to develop an updated and revised Code using the goal-based approach.