RS at the 12th Session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction

As part of global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, the Sub-Committee undertook the development of international regulatory frameworks to ensure the safety of ships and crew utilizing alternative fuels and technologies. Particular attention was given to improving IMO requirements and recommendations concerning:

• ships with nuclear power plants;
• issues related to the use of electric batteries;
• technologies for the use of wind energy in shipping.

The Sub-Committee agreed on a comprehensive work plan for the coming years, which, inter alia, includes the revision of SOLAS Chapter VIII “Nuclear Ships” and the IMO Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships.

Participants also discussed the issue of underwater radiated noise from ships and its potential adverse effects on marine life. A data‑collection initiative termed the “experience‑building phase” was launched in 2024 to develop a knowledge base for future regulatory action on underwater noise. Given the issue’s technical complexity, it was decided to extend this phase until the end of 2028 and to conduct a comprehensive study under the auspices of IMO to analyse noise sources, measurement methodologies and related aspects.

With regard to other items on the agenda, SDC 12 carried out extensive work on draft IMO mandatory and recommendatory instruments for subsequent approval/adoption at the upcoming sessions of the Maritime Safety Committee, including:

• amendments to the 2011 ESP Code concerning requirements for the use of remote inspection techniques;
• Guidelines with a set of best practices for the use of remote inspection techniques;
• amendments to the Technical provisions for means of access for inspections (resolution MSC.133(76));
• Explanatory notes on the Safe return to port and orderly evacuation and abandonment of the ship following a fire or flooding casualty;
• amendments to the 2009 MODU Code concerning electrical equipment that can remain functional post-emergency shutdown;
• the revised Guidelines for use of fibre-reinforced plastic elements within ship structures: fire safety issues.

Work likewise progressed in a number of other areas, including the development of performance standards for engine control room alert management, the development of amendments to SOLAS concerning both traditional and non-traditional propulsion systems, as well as recommendations on the use of plastic pipes on ships.

A detailed summary of SDC 12 outcomes will soon be available in the section “International Activity” – “Results of sessions of the IMO bodies” on the official RS website.

Additional information:

Founded in 1913, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) is a world-renowned classification society that operates within all spheres of the maritime industry with the goal of improving the operational and environmental safety of marine transportation. RS reviews technical documentation, surveys ships and offshore facilities under construction and in service, certifies vessels and companies for compliance with international conventions, recognizes and certifies industrial products and manufacturers, certifies quality management systems for compliance with international and national standards.

Today, RS is actively expanding its scope of services in the field of engineering and consulting, the development of technical documentation for vessels in service, marine warranty surveys, management system certification and recognition of manufacturers. In addition, RS surveys all container types, including tank containers and offshore containers, confirms compliance of packaging for dangerous goods, as well as renders services on the declaration and certification of dangerous goods and bulk cargoes.