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 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111) which will meet from 13 May to 22 May 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:
MSC 111/INF.11 provides an update on the status of work undertaken to address GBS audit observations common to IACS members (as of 28 February 2026).
MSC 111/4/4 comments on document MSC 111/4/2 by the Secretariat relating to a recent stakeholder workshop to consider the goal-based ship construction standards for bulk carriers and oil tankers (GBS).
MSC 111/5/5 provides a consistency check of the draft MASS Code, based on the latest consolidated version published after the fourth Intersessional MASS Working Group (ISWG/MASS 4). It identifies areas where small editorial amendments are required and provides draft text as appropriate for certain sections to ensure consistency. Some changes are proposed to align the Code holistically with developments and decisions made during previous MASS Working Groups and Intersessional Working Groups. This document aims to support the Working Group’s progress to finalize the non-mandatory MASS Code at MSC 111.
MSC 111/5/14 provides editorial comments on the proposed forms of MASS certificates as presented in document MSC 111/5/6 by China.
MSC 111/5/15 comments on document MSC 111/5/6 by China, containing proposals for the forms of certificates for MASS. IACS submits the document with the aim of facilitating the discussion and to ensure that the format and content of the certificates and records comply with the requirements stipulated in chapter 5 and other relevant chapters of the draft MASS Code.
MSC 111/10 encourages the increased visibility of Formal Safety Assessments (FSA) in rule-making at the IMO. The proposal to enhance access to FSA reports through the IMO document portal (IMODOCS), is made to encourage more frequent use of FSA in developing regulations which target complex safety issues.
MSC 111/12/1 comments on document MSC 111/12 (Secretariat) (report of SDC 12) and the proposal to revoke MSC.1/Circ.1689 on Escape arrangements from the lower part of the machinery spaces (SOLAS regulations II-2/13.4.1 and 13.4.2). IACS proposes that in lieu of revocation, the circular is revised to provide clarity to Administrations and port State control authorities on interpretations of these SOLAS regulations.
MSC 111/14/3 seeks clarification on the draft new paragraph 4.19.1.7 of the IGC Code, which concerns the duplication of heating systems designed to protect hull structures from exposure to low temperatures of liquefied gases. It also proposes an editorial modification to avoid misinterpretation of the scope of emergency power supply requirements.
MSC 111/14/4 proposes to correct structural errors identified in the draft amendments to paragraphs 4.20.1.1 and 4.20.1.2 of the IGC Code to ensure the appropriate implementation.
MSC 111/14/5 highlights the potential design impacts of retroactive application of draft amendments to paragraphs 8.4.3.1 and 8.4.3.2 of the IGC Code concerning upstream pressure losses of pressure relief valves (PRVs). It proposes that these amendments be applied to new ships only and that the deleted sentence currently in draft paragraph 8.4.3.2 be retained to avoid unintended consequences for existing ships.
MSC 111/14/11 comments on the draft interim guidelines for the use of ammonia cargo as fuel. IACS identifies potential ambiguity arising from the repeated use of the term “ammonia cargo as fuel”. In particular, the wording of the draft interim guidelines creates uncertainty of application of the interim guidelines to gas carriers intended to carry ammonia exclusively for use as fuel, and not as cargo.
MSC 111/19 proposes a new output to amend paragraph 4.6.3.1 of the LSA Code to remove ambiguity in the requirements for colour contrasting of the safety harness with the colour of the safety harness fitted to immediately adjacent seats of free-fall lifeboats. This proposal aims to also bring clarity for the terms “seating positions” for davit-launched lifeboats and “seats” for free-fall lifeboats.
MSC 111/19/1 proposes a new output to amend paragraph 3.5.4 and table 19.1 of SOLAS regulation II-2/19 to clarify the cases where reduced ventilation rates are allowed in container cargo spaces carrying dangerous goods with a view to ensuring consistent implementation.
MSC 111/19/4 proposes a new output to review circular MSC-MEPC.3/Circ.4/Rev.1 on Revised harmonized reporting procedures – Reports required under SOLAS regulations I/21 and XI-1/6, and MARPOL, articles 8 and 12, which form the basis of reports made to the Marine Casualties and Incidents (MCI) module in the IMO Global Integrated Shipping Information System, GISIS. Reviewing the circular, which was issued in 2014, and updating its taxonomy, will enhance data quality and strengthen safety analysis.
MSC 111/21/5 comments on document MSC 111/21/4 by the Secretariat pertaining to an assessment of the development of IQARB, including proposed terms of reference for a future IMO observer to IQARB. Welcoming the establishment of IQARB, IACS agrees with the logic of appointing an IMO observer to IQARB and recognizes the importance of ensuring that the IMO observer to IQARB is entirely independent of the body it is observing.
Any enquiries on the above should be sent to Mr Konstantin Petrov, IACS Accredited Representative to IMO, at arimo@iacs.org.uk