The 109th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109) was held from 2 to 6 December 2024. Since the minutes, resolutions and circulars of the meeting were recently released from the IMO, a summary of the decisions taken at MSC 109 is provided below for your information.

1. Adopted mandatory requirements
Mandatory requirements adopted at MSC 109 are as follows:

(1) Amendments to IGC Code (See attachment 1, 2)
Amendments to chapter 16 of the IGC Code to make cargos identified as toxic products conditionally usable as fuel, in view of the launch of ammonia-fuelled vessels were adopted. In addition, the MSC circular to invite a voluntary early implementation of the amendments was also released.

Applied: on or after 1 July 2026.

(2) Amendments to IGF Code (See attachment 3)
Amendments to IGF Code regarding suction wells installed in fuel tanks, pressure relief valves of piping system, segregation and insulation of boundary of accommodation spaces and others facing the fuel tanks, hazardous area etc. were adopted as a part of the task for amendments to the IGF Code and development of guidelines for alternative fuels and related technologies.

Applied: ships that fall under the following:
1. for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 January 2028;
2. in the absence of a building contract, the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 July 2028; or
3. the delivery of which is on or after 1 January 2032.
However, the requirements concerning the extent to which the suction wells installed in fuel tanks may protrude into the vertical distance from the bottom shell plating (5.3.3.5.1, 5.3.4.2) apply also to existing ships;

(To be continued)