Report of MSC 102 - 4 to 11 November 2020

 The 102nd session of the Maritime Safety Committee, originally scheduled to be held from 13 to 22 May 2020, and was eventually held remotely from 4 to 11 November 2020, resuming IMO committee meetings but remotely

 The postponement of the MSC by almost 6 months should not interfere with the quadrennial cycle of SOLAS amendments, with 2024 being the next deadline.

 Many amendments have been finalized. Among these it is worth highlighting:

• Res MSC.474(102) on Amendments to SOLAS chapter II-1 concerning towing and mooring equipment and watertight integrity ;
• Res. MSC.475(102) amending sections 6 (Fuel containment system), 11 (Fire safety) and 16 (Manufacture, workmanship and testing) of the IGF Code, concerning regulations for the pressure relief system and fuel preparation room fire-extinguishing systems, and the welding of metallic materials and non-destructive testing for the fuel containment system ;
• Res. MSC.476(102) amending chapter 6 (Materials of construction and quality control) of the IGC Code, concerning welding procedure tests for cargo tanks and process pressure vessels ;
• Res. MSC.477(102) - Amendment 40-20 to the IMDG Code ;
• Res. MSC 479(102) – Revised Guidelines for securing arrangements for the transport of road vehicles on ro-ro ships (resolution A.581(14), as amended) ;
• Res MSC.429(98)/Rev.2, the Revised explanatory notes to the SOLAS chapter II-1 subdivision and damage stability regulations (Revised Explanatory Notes) ;
• Res. MSC.429(98)/Rev.1, consequential amendments to the Revised explanatory notes to the SOLAS chapter II-1 subdivision and damage stability regulations.

 MSC 102 also approved following circulars, a.o :

• MSC.1/Circ.1628 on Interim guidelines for the second generation intact stability criteria ;
• MSC.1/Circ.1622 on Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel ;
• MSC.1/Circ.1623 on Guidelines for the acceptance of alternative metallic materials for cryogenic service in ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk and ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels ;
• MSC.1/Circ.1599/Rev.1 -Revised Interim guidelines on the application of high manganese austenitic steel for cryogenic service (MSC.1/Circ.1599) ;
• MSC.1/Circ.1430/Rev.2 on Revised guidelines for the design and approval of fixed water-based fire-fighting systems for ro-ro spaces and special category spaces ;

 MSC 102 approved the following Unified interpretations :

• Circular MSC.1/Circ.1626 - Circular on Unified interpretations of the IGC Code ;
• Circular MSC.1/Circ.1627 - Unified interpretation of the IMDG code ;
• MSC.1/Circ.1572/Rev.1 amending section 3 of Unified interpretations of SOLAS chapters II-1 and XII, of the technical provisions for means of access for inspections (resolution MSC.158(78)) and of the Performance Standards for water level detectors on bulk carriers and single hold cargo ships other than bulk carriers (resolution MSC.188(79)) ;
• MSC.1/Circ.1635 on Unified interpretations of SOLAS chapter II-2, concerning an interpretation of regulation II-2/9 (Containment of fire, thermal and structural boundaries).

 MSc 102 also approved a MSC.1/Circ.1638 on Unified interpretation of SOLAS regulation II-1/3-10 concerning the term "unforeseen delay in delivery of ships”.