Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers, 10th session (CCC 10), 16-20 September 2024

Updated recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships agreed 

The Sub-Committee agreed to draft amendments to the Revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships (resolution A.1050(27)), for submission to the 110th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) in June 2025 for consideration and adoption. 

Enclosed spaces on ships where there may be an oxygen-deficient, oxygen-enriched, flammable and/or toxic atmosphere can pose a danger to seafarers. Safety procedures and sound practices are essential for all types of ships to prevent casualties and enhance the safety of personnel.  

The amendments update a wide range of recommendations, including those related to systematic identification of hazards, risk assessment and management, safety measures, and an appropriate entry procedures. 

Draft interim guidelines for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel finalized 

The Sub-Committee finalized draft interim guidelines for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel, as part of its ongoing work to develop safety guidance for the use of alternative fuels to support maritime decarbonization. 

A draft circular on the interim guidelines will be submitted, with a view to approval, to the MSC 109 in December 2024. 

The interim guidelines aim to provide an international standard for ships using ammonia as fuel to minimize the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment. This includes provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems.  

The draft interim guidelines on ammonia is the latest guidance on low- and near-zero fuels to be developed by the Sub-Committee, following other guidance already approved by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), including: 

  • Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel (MSC.1/Circ.1621);  
  • Interim guidelines for ships using fuel cells (MSC.1/Circ.1647); and 
  • Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using LPG fuels (MSC.1/Circ.1666). 

Work plan: The Sub-Committee approved an updated workplan for its future work (covering 2024 to 2027) on developing safety guidance for alternative fuels. According to the updated workplan, the Sub-Committee plans to further develop and finalize interim guidelines for safety of ships using hydrogen as fuel, with a view to approval at MSC 111 in 2026.  

If time permits in 2025, the Sub-Committee will finalize interim guidelines for ships using low flashpoint oil fuels and revise the interim guidelines for ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel. 

The Sub-Committee invited MSC 109 to approve the holding of an intersessional working group to continue work on these issues. 

Development of guidelines for the use of ammonia cargo as fuel 

The Sub-Committee invited MSC 109 to modify the scope of the output 1.17 on "Review of IGC Code" to read "Development of guidelines for the use of ammonia cargo as fuel" and extend the completion date to 2026. 

The Sub-Committee recommended that a correspondence group be established on the development of guidelines for the use of ammonia cargo, and finalized terms of reference to be considered by MSC 109, to include: 

  • Consider the framework and structure of the draft interim guidelines and review them in detail 
  • Consider the vehicle to be recommended to MSC for adoption and circulation of the draft interim guidelines, and develop the draft text for such a vehicle; 
  • Develop draft terms of reference for a Working Group or Drafting Group, if established at CCC 11, to finalize the draft interim guidelines. 

The Correspondence Group, if established, will submit a report to CCC 11. 

Draft amendments to the IGC Code agreed 

The Sub-Committee finalized its review of the International Code of the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) and agreed to a package of draft amendments. These amendments cover both structural and operational elements, related to issues such as cargo tank filling limits, the use of LPG cargo as fuel, carriage of CO2, and emergency shutdown systems. 

The draft amendments to the IGC Code and the associated draft MSC resolution will be submitted for approval by MSC 109 and subsequent adoption at MSC 110, with the expected entry into force on 1 January 2028.  

The Sub-Committee requested the Secretariat to prepare a new consolidated text of the IGC Code, incorporating all amendments to the 2014 IGC Code. It endorsed a draft check/monitoring sheet and record format for the draft amendments.  

Draft amendments to the IMSBC Code agreed  

The Sub-Committee agreed draft amendments (08-25) to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. These will be submitted, with a view to adoption, to MSC 110, in June 2025, following finalization by the Editorial and Technical Group (E&T) at its 41st meeting on 23-27 September (ET 41). 

The IMSBC Code aims to facilitate the safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes by providing information on the dangers associated with the shipment of certain types of solid bulk cargoes, and procedures for safe shipment. 

In the preparation of the draft amendments to the IMSBC Code the following existing individual schedules were considered: 

  • FERROUS METAL BORINGS, SHAVINGS, TURNINGS or CUTTINGS UN 2793 
  • DIRECT REDUCED IRON (A) 
  • DIRECT REDUCED IRON (B) 
  • ALUMINIUM FERROSILICON POWDER UN 1395 
  • ALUMINIUM SILICON POWDER, UNCOATED UN 1398 
  • ALUMINIUM SMELTING BY-PRODUCTS or ALUMINIUM REMELTING BY-PRODUCTS UN 3170 
  • CASTOR BEANS or CASTOR MEAL or CASTOR POMACE or CASTOR FLAKE UN 2969 
  • FERROSILICON UN 1408 with 30% or more but less than 90% silicon (including briquettes) 
  • FERROSILICON with at least 25% but less than 30% silicon, or 90% or more silicon 
  • FISH MEAL (FISH SCRAP), STABILIZED Anti-oxidant treated 
  • IRON ORE PELLETS 

together with the proposed draft new individual schedules: 

  • FISH MEAL (FISH SCRAP), STABILIZED 
  • IRON ORE BRIQUETTES 
  • ZINC SLAG (coarse) 
  • PHOSPHATE ROCK FINES (uncalcined) 
  • Asphalt granulates (non-hazardous) 
  • Pea protein concentrate pellets (non-hazardous) 
  • Crushed granodiorite, coarse 
  • Apatite concentrate
  • Tuff (coarse)
  • Aluminium sulphate granular
  • Ferric sulphate granular 

Revised recommendations on the use of pesticides in the fumigation of cargo holds agreed 

The Sub-Committee agreed on the draft revision of MSC.1/Circ.1264 on the Revised recommendations on the safe use of pesticides in ships applicable to the fumigation of cargo holds, to be submitted, with a view to approval, to MSC 110 in June 2025. This relates to the safe use and fire risks of Phosphine as a fumigant.  

The Sub-Committee instructed E&T 41 (IMSBC) to prepare draft consequential amendments to IMO instruments in connection to the revision of MSC.1/Circ.1264, with a view to approval at MSC 110. 

Amendments to Dangerous Good List under IMDG Code – agreement in principle 

The Sub-Committee progressed work on amending the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. The IMDG Code sets out requirements for the maritime transport of dangerous goods in packaged form, to ensure their safe carriage and to prevent pollution to the environment. The IMDG Code is amended regularly on a two-year cycle to ensure regulations respond to the needs of the industry. 

The Sub-Committee continued its work to review of column 17 of the Dangerous Goods List of the IMDG Code and the proposed new draft guiding principles for column 17. Column 17 (paragraph 3.2.1 of the IMDG Code) contains properties of, and observations related to, approximately 3,500 entries listed. This includes, for example, the physical and chemical properties of dangerous goods, shipping risk warnings and shipping provisions.  

The Sub-Committee agreed to draft amendments on proposed guiding principles for various properties that should be included as appropriate in Column 17, such as physical state, form, boiling point, flashpoint, toxicity level and corrosivity.  

These proposals will be referred to E&T 42 (IMDG) in 2025 for incorporation, as appropriate, into draft amendments 43-26 to the IMDG Code, with a view to adoption at MSC 111 in 2026. 

Development of measures to prevent the loss of containers at sea  

The Sub-Committee made progress on its work to develop appropriate measures to prevent the loss of containers at sea.  

The Sub-Committee endorsed a preliminary inventory list on finalized, current and foreseeable work on various topics, including the detection, tracking and mandatory reporting of containers lost at sea. The inventory outlines existing measures under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention and other instruments, as well as new proposals, and additional topics of work related to the prevention of the loss of containers at sea.  

The Sub-Committee endorsed a preliminary work plan for the consideration and potential development of the topics identified in the inventory.  

To continue the work intersessionally, the Sub-Committee re-established the Correspondence Group on Prevention of the Loss of Containers at Sea, Revision of MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2 and Development of Performance Standards and Guidelines for Lashing Software, and included the following in its terms of reference: 

  • review and finalize the inventory list on finalized, current and foreseeable work regarding the prevention of container losses at sea, identifying potential interlinkages among the different topics and proposals;  
  • assess the feasibility, merit (e.g. regulatory, technological) and priority of the work items for further consideration; 
  • identify potential amendments to relevant instruments and assess which other committees or bodies should be involved.  

A report will be submitted to CCC 11. 

Revision of the Revised guidelines for the preparation of the Cargo Securing Manual 

The Sub-Committee initiated its deliberations to review and amend the Revised guidelines for the preparation of the cargo securing manual (MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2).  

A Cargo Securing Manual is provided by an Administration to support safe cargo stowage and securing, in accordance with SOLAS and the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code). The guidelines help to ensure a uniform approach to the preparation of these manuals. 

The proposed revision of the Revised guidelines is to include a harmonized performance standard for lashing software, so that this lashing software can be used as a supplement to the cargo securing manual. 

The Sub-Committee tasked the Correspondence Group on Prevention of the Loss of Containers at Sea, Revision of MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2 and Development of Performance Standards and Guidelines for Lashing Software with the following: 

  • review and amend the Revised guidelines for the preparation of the Cargo Securing Manual (MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2) 
  • identify issues which need to be included in the performance standards for lashing software; 
  • identify impacts on other instruments; 

The Correspondence Group will report back to CCC 11.