Classification society DNV on Saturday (28 June) shared highlights of the 110th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110). 

The following is an excerpt from the news update which are bunker-related: 

The 110th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) was held from 18 to 27 June 2025. The session adopted SOLAS amendments to improve the safety of transfer arrangements for pilots and other personnel embarking and disembarking ships, and made significant progress on a new non-mandatory code of safety for autonomous ships (MASS Code). A re- view of regulatory safety barriers to alternative fuels and new technologies was concluded and measures to address those barriers were initiated, aiming to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships from a safety perspective.

Meeting highlights

• Adopted amendments to SOLAS Chapter V and the associated new Performance Standards to improve pilot transfer safety
• Approved draft amendments to the 2011 ESP Code to include remote inspection techniques (RITs) for close-up surveys
• Approved a 2025 Code on Alerts and Indicators
• Approved a revision of Resolution A.1050(27) “Revised Recommendations for Entering Enclosed Spaces Aboard Ships”
• Approved guidelines to support the introduction of emergency towing requirements on ships other than tankers
• Approved generic interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies
• Agreed on draft amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-1 to clarify the IGF Code application to all gaseous fuels, regardless of flashpoint
• Initiated measures to address identified regulatory barriers that may prevent the use of alternative fuels and new tech- nologies, including updating the Code of Safety of Nuclear Merchant Ships
• Progressed the non-mandatory Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code)
• Invited PSC authorities to adopt a pragmatic approach to the inspection of escape arrangements from machinery spaces while the Committee reviews the clarity of the current regulations

IGF Code – ships using gaseous fuels

MSC 110 agreed on draft amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-1 to clarify that the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) applies to ships using gaseous fuels, whether they are low-flashpoint or not. A new definition of “gaseous fuels” was introduced accordingly.

Consequential draft amendments to the IGF Code were agreed accordingly, including draft amendments to the definition of “low-flashpoint fuels”.

The draft amendments to SOLAS and the IGF Code are expected to enter into force on 1 July 2028, subject to approval by MSC 111 (May 2026) and adoption by MSC 112 (December 2026).

The “one ship, one code” policy

The “one ship, one code” policy is a principle that a ship should be subject to only one safety code for gases or low- flashpoint liquids: either the IGC Code or the IGF Code. The intention is to apply one consistent safety philosophy and to avoid unintentional consequences that could arise from selecting requirements from various codes.

MSC 110 agreed that the policy should continue to apply for IGC Code ships using cargo included in Chapter 19 of the IGC Code as fuel, and that application guidelines should be developed for low-flashpoint fuels, other than the products listed in Chapter 19 of the IGC Code, used on gas carriers.

Draft amendments to SOLAS Regulation II-1/56 to capture the agreed principles, and the related application guidelines, will be considered at MSC 111 (May 2026).

New technologies and alternative fuels

MSC 110 concluded its consideration of potential alternative fuels and new technologies to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships from a safety perspective. The intention is to identify safety obstacles, barriers and gaps in the current IMO instruments that may impede the use of the various alternative fuels and new technologies.

Recommendations to address the identified barriers and gaps for alternative fuels and new technologies were assigned to the relevant Sub-Committees. The extensive list of fuels and technologies to be considered include:

• Updating the Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships to account for advances in technology that have occurred since the code initially came into force (SDC)
• On-board carbon capture and storage (CCC)
• Battery energy storage systems (SSE)

Human element, training and watchkeeping

Training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels MSC 110 approved generic interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies to support the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping (STCW.7/Circ.25).

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 30 June, 2025