In demonstrating its ongoing commitment to supporting the work of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and within its remit as the Organization’s principal technical advisor, IACS will actively participate in the forthcoming 12th session of the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 12) which will meet from 9 to 13 March 2026.
Noting the work IACS Members undertake as recognized organizations of IMO Member States, verifying compliance of ships with IMO agreed requirements, and with a view to achieving clarity for all parties, IACS has submitted the following documents:
SSE 12/3/2 comments on document SSE 12/3, the report of the LSA Correspondence Group. The submission provides clarification on the relationship between the ventilation requirements for partially enclosed lifeboats (PELBs) in the proposed new paragraph of the LSA Code and related new test provisions in the proposed new paragraph in resolution MSC.81(70). Improving the alignment between the LSA Code and resolution MSC.81(70) will offer greater confidence in how ventilation designs are incorporated in lifeboats.
SSE 12/6 comments on document SSE 12/3, the report of the LSA Correspondence Group. Specifically, this document is submitted to ensure the correct and unambiguous referencing of new requirements of the LSA Code for automatically self-righting or canopied reversible liferafts within SOLAS chapter III. Proposals are also made to maintain the intended application scope and avoid unintended retroactive requirements for existing ships.
SSE 12/8 is the Report of the Correspondence Group on the Revision of the FTP Code to allow for new fire protection systems and materials, coordinated by IACS.
SSE 12/9 presents a compilation of existing explanatory figures for SOLAS regulation II-2/9. The document responds to document SSE 11/9, by supporting the proposal to compile a new guidance document from existing explanatory figures from MSC circulars. This would be finalized after draft amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/9 are agreed, inter alia introducing the text of existing guidance, and therefore improve the clarity and user-friendliness of the guidance documents.
SSE 12/12/4 comments on the Correspondence Group Report on Fire Protection 2 (SSE 12/12), by providing complementary proposals regarding detection and control of fires in cargo holds and on cargo decks of containerships. Based on IACS members’ practical experience, the document recommends supplementing the requirements with a new provision concerning fixed water monitors.
Any enquiries on the above should be sent to Mr Konstantin Petrov, IACS Accredited Representative to IMO, at arimo@iacs.org.uk