The ninety-seventh session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 97) was held at the IMO in London, U.K. from 21 to 25 November 2016. Since the minutes, resolutions and circulars of the meeting were recently released from the IMO, a summary of the decisions taken at MSC 97 is provided as below for your information.

1. Adopted mandatory requirements
Mandatory requirements adopted at MSC 97 are as follows:

(1) Foam-type extinguisher required for boiler space (See attachment 1)
Amendments to SOLAS II-2/10.5, not to require foam-type extinguisher of at least 135L capacity in the boiler space which is protected by fixed water-based local application fire-extinguishing systems were adopted.

Applied: on or after 1 January 2020

(2) Harmonization of survey period of cargo ships not subject to ESP Code (See attachment 1)
New SOLAS XI-1/2-1, requirements to harmonize the survey periods of cargo ships not subject to the ESP Code (hereinafter non-ESP ships) and ESP ships, were adopted. This adoption accepts split survey for non-ESP ships, as well as ESP ships.

Applied: on or after 1 January 2020

(3) Amendments to SOLAS II-1 on application of Code on Noise levels on board ships (See attachment 1)
Amendments to SOLAS II-1/3-12, to clarify that the former Code (A.468(XII)) applies to ships delivered before 1 July 2018, contracted for construction before 1 July 2014 and the keels of which are laid on or after 1 January 2009, were adopted.

Applied: on or after 1 January 2020

(To be continued)