The IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 8) met in virtual session from 17 to 21 January 2020. Through the good offices of the IMO Media service and Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news we are able to publish highlights of the session.
Reducing underwater noise from ships
The sub-committee began its work to review the 2014 Guidelines for the reduction of underwater noise from commercial shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life.
These guidelines focus on primary sources of underwater noise, namely on propellers, hull design, onboard machinery, and various operational and maintenance recommendations such as hull cleaning.
The review had been initiated after the issue was raised at the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). The international community recognises that underwater-radiated noise from ships may have both short and long-term negative consequences on marine life, especially marine mammals.
The aim of the review is to provide updated recommendations based on the latest developments in ship design and technology.
A correspondence group has been tasked with, inter alia:
(i)enabling engagement of Inuit and other indigenous communities and the incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge;
(ii)identifying comparable and common means of measuring, analysing and reporting of underwater radiated noise emissions from ships (e.g. existing and developing ISO and other international standards);
(iii)identifying actions to further prevent and reduce underwater noise from ships, including options to integrate new and advancing technologies and/or vessel design solutions taking into account geographical characteristics;
(iv)considering the impact and interrelation of the proposed actions in the context of achieving other regulatory goals, including ship safety, energy efficiency, as well as the vision and mandate of the Organization to reduce pollution from ships;
(v)amending the 2014 Guidelines;
(vi)considering ways to promote the work of the Organization to increase the awareness, the uptake and implementation of the Guidelines and identifying the most appropriate tools to do this;
(vii)identifying areas that require further assessment and research;
(viii)considering the next steps, and
(ix)maintaining and updating a list of reports and documents provided in a submission to the Sub-Committee to produce a new Compendium on Underwater Noise from Commercial Shipping.
The work plan envisages that recommendations for the next steps to be undertaken to establish international solutions for the reduction of underwater noise could be submitted to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) in 2023.
Other considerations at SDC 8
New regulations and Code to address safety of industrial personnel agreed
A new Code and requirements in the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) to ensure the safety of people transported to work on offshore facilities were agreed.
Unified interpretations for noise levels on board ships agreed
The Sub-Committee agreed draft unified interpretations of SOLAS chapter II-1, the 1988 Load Lines Protocol and the Code on noise levels on board ships.
Draft Explanatory Notes to Interim guidelines on second generation intact stability criteria agreed
The Sub-Committee agreed draft Explanatory Notes to the Interim guidelines on second generation intact stability criteria which are being used on a trial basis.
Draft amendments to the ESP Code finalised
The Sub-Committee finalised draft amendments to the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, 2011 (ESP Code), intended to address safety issues that were identified during the flag State’s marine safety investigation of the loss of mv Stella Daisy, (ROK-flagged very large ore carrier (VLOC) that sank in 2017 in the South Atlantic off the coast of Uruguay while on passage from Brazil to China) by increasing the frequency of inspections of void spaces, based on the condition of hard coatings.
Performance standards for water level detectors revised
The Sub-Committee agreed to a draft revision of the performance standards for water level detectors in multiple hold cargo ships other than bulk carriers and tankers.
Guidelines on alternative design and arrangements for SOLAS chapter II-1
SOLAS provisions allow the approval of alternative designs and arrangements, provided that they meet the intent of the requirements concerned and provide an equivalent level of safety. To support the development of new designs and alternative technology, IMO has been developing goals and functional requirements.
Prohibiting asbestos on mobile offshore drilling units
The Sub-Committee established a correspondence group to develop draft amendments to the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units.