SHIP SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT SUB-COMMITTEE 12TH (SSE 12) SUMMARY REPORT 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
The twelfth session of IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 12) was held in person from the 9th to the 13th of March 2026, with hybrid facilities allowing remote participation. 

• The Sub-Committee agreed on: 
  the draft revised guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of fixed carbon dioxide fire extinguishing systems, clarifying the testing and inspection provisions for CO2 cylinders with a view to approval by MSC 112, (MSC.1/Circ. 1318/Rev.2);
• the draft amendments to the 2010 FTP Code, to introduce tests for plastic pipes in its annex 1, part 6;
• draft amendments to SOLAS regulations II-2/3 and 9, incorporating preexisting guidance in the mandatory text;
• the draft amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/7.11 on portable infrared (IR) thermal imager;
• the draft amendments to SOLAS regulation II- 2/10.7.3.1 on water mist lances;
• the draft guidelines for the design, performance, testing and approval of water mist lances, (to be completed on onboard testing by III 12) with a view to approval by MSC 112;
• draft amendment to paragraph 2.1.2.5 of chapter 5 of the FSS Code on construction requirements for gaskets, with a view to approval at MSC 112 and adoption at MSC 113;
• amendments to four MSC circulars related to standardized life-saving appliance evaluation and test report forms (incorporation of temperature cycling tests);
• the Model Course 3.06 on Survey of Life-Saving Appliances and arrangements;

The Sub-Committee decided to transfer to the SDC the task of developing battery energy storage systems interim guidelines (to be confirmed by MSC 111), and set-up the work plan addressing the extinguishing of alcohol fires, the interim guidelines on safety requirements for advanced waste heat recovery systems and the risks related to Fisher-Tropsch diesel fuel).

SSE 12 progressed on: 

• all LSA items, despite time constraints and an important workload: the LSA Working Group considered the amendments to the LSA Code for partially enclosed lifeboats, the work-plan of the revision SOLAS III and LSA code (review of phases), as well as the incorporation in SOLAS III/21,26 and 31 of self-righting or canopied reversible liferafts;
• the draft action plan for enhancing fire safety on ships carrying new energy vehicles and battery electric vehicles: it was agreed to prioritize work for Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs), and to develop two sets of guidelines (safety measures for PCTCs; and video based monitoring and detection system), alongside goal-based technically neutral amendments to SOLAS with a target entry into force date of 2032.