Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee 12th Session (SDC 12) SUMMARY REPORT

The twelfth session of IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 12) was held in person from the 19th to the 23rd of January 2026, with hybrid facilities allowing remote participation.

SDC 12 agreed on:

• draft amendments to the 2011 ESP Code, with a view to approval in principle by MSC 111, formal approval by MSC 113 and adoption by MSC 114, as appropriate;
• draft guidelines on the use of Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) with a view to adoption by MSC 111, in conjunction with the adoption of the draft amendments to the 2011 ESP Code to allow the use of RIT in ESP Code surveys;
• draft amendments to the Technical provisions for means of access for inspections (res. MSC.133(76)) with a view to approval by MSC 111 and adoption by MSC 112;
• draft Explanatory Notes for safe return to port and orderly evacuation and abandonment after a fire or flooding casualty with a view to approval by MSC 111;
• draft amendments to chapter 6 of the 2009 MODU Code with a view to adoption by MSC 111;
• draft revised Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Guidelines (use of FRP elements within ship structures and the fire-testing method for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing elements) with a view to adoption by MSC 111;
• two-year extension of the Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) Experience Building Phase (EBP) with a consequent target completion year 2028 as well as draft technical guidance on co-optimizing energy efficiency and underwater radiated noise at the design and retrofit stage with a view to approval by MEPC 84.

SDC 12 established:

• a correspondence group to implement the work plan according to the terms of reference proposed to develop the safety regulatory framework concerning the lithium-ion batteries used as the main source of electrical power and lighting systems (amending SOLAS II-1/41), the interim guidelines for wind propulsion and the revision of SOLAS VIII & Nuclear Code (see the workplan);
• a correspondence group to develop the performance standard for engine control room alarm management ECRAM.

SDC 12 decided not to amend SOLAS II-2/13.4.1.1 and 13.4.2.1 as regards means of escape and requested the revocation of MSC.1/Circ.1689. Issues related to PSC are to be discussed within the Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III).