IMO updates SOLAS: New amendments on emergency towing, fire safety, and container reporting

Eda Zenic -

The International Maritime Organization has issued resolutions MSC.549(108) and MSC.550(108), which amend the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention.

Resolution MSC.549(108) amends SOLAS Chapter II-1, with the changes set to take effect on January 1, 2028. This resolution introduces a new section to Regulation 3-4 that addresses emergency towing arrangements for ships other than tankers. Specifically, ships of 20,000 gross tonnage or more, built on or after January 1, 2028, must have emergency towing arrangements. These arrangements need to be capable of quick deployment even without main power and should easily connect to a towing ship. They must also be strong enough to handle adverse weather conditions, with their design and testing approved by the relevant authorities according to IMO guidelines.

Resolution MSC.550(108) amends SOLAS Chapters II-2 and V, with these changes coming into effect on January 1, 2026.

For Chapter II-2:

  • Part B: Prevention of Fire and Explosion
    Regulation 4 now requires that oil fuel used on ships must not compromise the safety of the ship, the performance of machinery, or the health of personnel.
  • Part C: Suppression of Fire
    Regulation 7 specifies that for passenger ships, fixed fire detection and alarm systems must cover service spaces, control stations, and accommodation areas, but not private bathrooms or galleys. For cargo ships, fixed fire detection systems or sprinklers must be installed in accommodation and service spaces based on the chosen protection method, with detailed requirements for each method. Regulation 9 has removed some paragraphs related to cargo space fire containment and renumbered the subsequent sections.
  • Part G: Special Requirements
    Regulation 20 now includes vehicle, special category, open and closed ro-ro spaces, and weather decks for vehicles. It introduces new compliance deadlines and requirements for fixed fire detection systems and video monitoring for passenger ships constructed before January 1, 2026.
  • Structural Fire Protection
    Regulation 5 requires that bulkheads and decks have specific fire ratings based on the type of space and associated risks. It also ensures that openings in ro-ro and special category spaces are safely protected with fire-resistant materials.
  • Fire Extinction
    Regulation 6 introduces new requirements for fixed water-based fire-extinguishing systems on weather decks for vehicles, including details on drainage and system specifications. For passenger ships built before January 1, 2026, there are specific requirements for fire-extinguishing systems.
  • Decision-Making and Safety Centers
    Regulation 7 requires passenger ships to have clear signage and markings for fire-extinguishing systems, especially in vehicle and ro-ro spaces. Regulation 23 has been updated to include fire detection and alarm systems in safety control and monitoring procedures for passenger ships.

For Chapter V:

  • Regulation 31: Danger Messages
    This regulation mandates that the master of a ship losing freight containers must promptly inform nearby ships, the nearest coastal State, and the flag State with detailed information. If the ship is abandoned or if the report is incomplete, the ship's company must assume the reporting responsibilities. The flag State must report the incident to the IMO. Additionally, if a ship observes drifting containers, it must report this to nearby ships and the nearest coastal State.
  • Regulation 32: Information Required in Danger Messages
    Initial reports of lost containers should include ship details, time, date, and an estimate of the number of lost containers. Subsequent reports should confirm the exact number of lost containers and provide details such as position, type, number, and whether they contain dangerous goods. Additional information, including cargo description, sea conditions, and drift direction, may also be included. For observed drifting containers, reports should include the time, position, number, and details like container dimensions, type, and sea conditions.