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DNV: IMO Sub-Committee on Ships Systems and Equipment (SSE 9)

An increasing number of ports require or encourage ships to use shore power instead of fuel oil; draft of interim guidelines intends to prevent accidents in relation to ships’ connections to shore power.
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Classification society DNV on Monday (6 March) published a technical and regulatory article on the 9th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 9), where a draft of the new interim guidelines of onshore power supply services in ports was agreed. The following an excerpt of the article:

The 9th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 9) was held from 27 February to 3 March 2023. SSE 9 finalized the draft of new SOLAS requirements to minimize the incidence and consequences of fires on Ro-Ro passenger ships, and to require ventilation of totally enclosed lifeboats. The revision of the Code of Safety for Diving Systems to enhance the safety of divers in fixed and portable diving systems was completed, and the draft of the new interim guidelines on safe operation of onshore power supply services in ports was agreed.

Relevant for shipowners, managers, seafarers, maritime training institutes and flag states.  

Meeting highlights

  • Finalized draft amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 related to fire safety on Ro-Ro passenger ships
  • Finalized draft amendments to the LSA Code and related IMO instruments to require ventilation of totally enclosed lifeboats
  • Finalized the draft of the revised Code of Safety for Diving Systems
  • Finalized the draft of interim guidelines on the safe operation of onshore power supply (OPS) service in ports
  • Agreed on draft amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 to require fire detection and fire alarm systems for all control stations and cargo control rooms on cargo ships

Onshore power supply

SSE 9 finalized the draft of interim guidelines on the safe operation of onshore power supply (OPS) service in port. 

Following the global efforts to reduce air pollution from ships, an increasing number of ports require or encourage ships to use shore power instead of fuel oil. The draft of the interim guidelines intends to prevent accidents caused by operational errors in relation to ships’ connections to shore power.

The draft of the interim guidelines will be submitted to MSC 107 (June 2023) for approval.

Unified Interpretations 

Reliability of essential propulsion components

SOLAS Regulation II-1/26.2 requires the Administration to give special consideration to the reliability of single essential propulsion components and may require a separate source of propulsion power sufficient to give the ship a navigable speed, especially in the case of unconventional arrangements.

SSE 9 agreed on a draft interpretation of SOLAS Regulation II-1/26.2 to clarify its application to single shaft-line electric propulsion systems. The draft interpretation addresses the risk of permanent loss of propulsion for ships without additional propulsion units in case of a non-repairable single failure in the winding of an electric propulsion motor.

Note: The full copy of the technical and regulatory article can be found here.

 

Photo credit: Cameron Venti from Unsplash
Published: 13 March, 2023

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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July 21, 2026

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
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July 21, 2026

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ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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