IACS proposed amendments to MSC.1/Circ.1572/Rev.1

The International Maritime Organization has informed that the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) proposed amendments to MSC.1/Circ.1572/Rev.1.

Document SDC 10/10/2 (Sub-committee on ship design and construction, 10th session, agenda item 1o) was released on 12 October 2023. SDC 10 will be held from 22 - 26 January 2024.

This document proposes a revision of MSC.1/Circ.1572/Rev.1 regarding unified interpretations of the Performance standards for water level detectors on bulk carriers and single-hold cargo ships other than bulk carriers (resolution MSC.188(79)) consequential to the adoption of resolution MSC.188(79)/Rev.2.

Background

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its 103rd session, adopted amendments to SOLAS chapter II-1 (resolution MSC.482(103)), which included requirements for water level detectors on multiple hold cargo ships other than bulk carriers and tankers, i.e. SOLAS regulation II-1/25-1, with the entry-into-force date of 1 January 2024.

As a consequence of the adoption of SOLAS regulation II-1/25-1, MSC 107 adopted resolution MSC.188(79)/Rev.2 on Revised performance standards for water level detectors on ships subject to SOLAS regulations II-1/25, II-1/25-1, and XII/12.

Discussion

IACS has considered the update of MSC.1/Circ.1572/Rev.1, which is, inter alia, the unified interpretations of the Performance standards for water level detectors on bulk carriers and single hold cargo ships other than bulk carriers (resolution MSC.188(79)), cross-referencing recent amendments in resolution MSC.188(79)/Rev.2.

During that review, IACS identified the need for the following changes to MSC.1/Circ.1572/Rev.1:

the headings of the annex to MSC.1/Circ.1572/Rev.1 should be amended to refer to all ships covered by the relevant SOLAS regulations;
references to resolution MSC.188(79) in interpretation 9.6 of the annex to MSC.1/Circ.1572/Rev.1 should be updated; and
interpretation 9.2 of the annex to MSC.1/Circ.1572/Rev.1 should be amended to align with resolution MSC.188(79)/Rev.2 regarding requirements for safe type equipment.