Future IMO and ILO Legislation Autumn 2024

Summary of major developments

New approvals or adoptions

• Adopted - Amendments to the LSA Code - single fall and hook systems with on-load release capability
• Adopted - Amendments to the LSA Code to address the in-water performance of SOLAS adult lifejackets
• Adopted - Amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2/20 - Fire safety on ships fitted with vehicle, special category, open and closed ro-ro spaces and weather decks intended for the carriage of vehicles
• Adopted - Amendments to SOLAS Regulation II-2/7.5.5 - Fire protection of control stations and cargo control rooms on new cargo ships
• Adopted - Amendments to the IGF Code - 2026
• Adopted - Amendments 42-24 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
• Adopted - Amendments to the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (MSC.23(59)) - loading conditions
• Adopted - Amendments to SOLAS V/31 and V/32, and to Protocol I of MARPOL Article V - Reporting on the loss of containers
• Adopted - Amendments to the STCW Code - Prevention and response to violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault
• Adopted - Amendments to the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code- Launching appliances using falls and a winch
• Adopted - Amendments to the Fire Safety Systems (FSS) Code - fire safety on Ro-Ro passenger ships (Chapter 7 amendments) and all ships (Chapter 9 amendments)
• Adopted - Amendments to the resolution MSC.402(96) - Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear
• Adopted - Revised annex to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995 (STCW-F)
• Adopted - Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) Code
• Adopted -  Amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/4 related to oil fuel parameters other than flashpoint
• Adopted - Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI establishing the Canadian Arctic Emission Control Area (ECA) for nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and particulate matter
• Adopted - Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI establishing the Norwegian Sea Emission Control Area (ECA) for nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and particulate matter
• Adopted - Amendments to SOLAS - New Regulation II-1/3-4.2 – Emergency towing arrangements for new ships, other than tankers, of 20,000GT and over
• Approval of - Draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI and the NOx Technical Code on the use of multiple engine operational profiles for a marine diesel engine
• Approval of - Draft amendments to the NOx Technical Code with regard to re-certification procedures of existing engines
  Approval of  - Draft amendment to IGC Code - paragraph 16.9 - Alternative fuels and technologies - on the possibility to use toxic cargo as fuel if accepted by the Administration
• Approval of - Draft amendments to the IGF Code – Various amendments

Significant new items being considered or milestones in ongoing development

• A basket of candidate GHG Mid-Term Measures is being considered
• Review of the Short-Term Reduction Measure (CII and EEXI)
• Development of a safety regulatory framework to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships using new technologies and alternative fuels
• The Cape Town Agreement has reached the entry-into-force threshold for the number of ratifying States, but hasn’t yet reached the aggregate number of fishing vessels threshold
• Proposed amendments to the Ballast Water Management Convention
• The review of the STCW Convention
• 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
• Development of a goal-based instrument for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)