INSIGHTS

Recap: IMO SDC 9

Highlights from the 9th session of the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC), held in person from 23 to 27 January 2023 and attended by SYBAss.

The 9th session of the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC) was held in
person from 23 to 27 January 2023. SDC 9 agreed the Draft revised Guidelines for the
reduction of underwater noise from commercial shipping to address adverse impacts on
marine life. A draft work plan for the continued work on the underwater-radiated noise and
implementation of the draft revised guidelines were endorsed. A revision of the interim
explanatory notes to the Safe Return to Port requirements were initiated, intending to
improve unified implementation of the concept that passenger ships shall be able to return
safely to port after a fire or flooding casualty.

The follow items were major highlights of the meetings:

  • Agreement to extend the requirements to onboard emergency towing devices to all
    new ships over 20,000 gross tons
  • Implementation of an asbestos ban in the MODU Code on new installations on
    existing units in alignment with that in SOLAS
  • Agreement to the revised Guidelines for the Reduction of Underwater Noise from
    Commercial Shipping to Address Adverse Impacts on Marine Life to be approved at
    the MSC 107 in May 2023
  • Progress in the development of goal-based requirements for SOLAS Chapter II-1
  • Progress in the revision of the interim explanatory notes to the Safe Return to Port requirements in SOLAS

Note that the presented information reflects the status at the time of Ship Design Sub-Committee 9 which may change as a result of ongoing developments. As SDC is a Sub-Committee, all decisions concerning rules, regulations and dates are subject to further consideration and approval by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC). It is also uncertain at this time whether the mentioned amendments or new regulations will eventually be adopted in future versions of the Red Ensign Group Yacht Codes or other flag codes.