IMO NA Group News November 2007 |
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 IMO Naval Architecture Group News |
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Published by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects November 2007 |
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The Royal Institution of Naval Architects is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with Consultative Status at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). However, the Institution considers that it holds its Consultative Status on behalf of the international naval architecture profession. It has therefore formed an IMO Naval Architectural Group of those professional institutions and societies which represent the global naval architecture profession, and wish their views to be represented at the IMO. Through this informal grouping, the Institution will inform and represent the consensus views of these organisations. |
Papers MSC 83/9/3 and MSC 83/20/3, submitted on behalf of the IMO Naval Architecture Group, were considered by MSC 83 at its recent meeting in Copenhagen. The outcome of those two submissions is reported in the following extract from the draft report of MSC 83.
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Performance Standard for Protective Coatings for Void Spaces on Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers |
9.5
The Committee considered the draft MSC resolution on Performance standard for protective coatings for void spaces on bulk carriers and oil tankers, together with the following documents:
1. MSC 83/9/2 (United Kingdom), proposing to include a footnote at the end of paragraphs 4.2.1.1.4 and 4.2.1.1.5 in order to clarify the issue of totally enclosed spaces and to change the words "other small void spaces in cargo tanks" in paragraph 4.2.1.1.3 to read "... in cargo holds" or "... in cargo spaces";
2. MSC 83/9/3 (RINA), suggesting that in order to remove any ambiguities and conflicts with other statutory requirements regarding the term "totally enclosed spaces" the requirements of the performance standard should apply to all void spaces, except where access is neither required nor possible and that guidance on the types of such excluded spaces should be given; and
3. MSC 83/9/4 (Greece), proposing a number of amendments to section 4.2 (Standard application), concentrating on the notion of totally enclosed spaces, and to the basic coating requirements in Table 1 of the Standard concerning the number of spray coats, stripe coats, dust limit and testing exposure.
Greece also stated that the Standard should become mandatory not later than the PSPC for dedicated seawater ballast tanks (i.e. 1 July 2008).
9.6
Following extensive discussions, of the above proposals and other proposals made orally for changes to the draft Performance Standard, the Committee, noting that the text of the performance standard as agreed at DE 50 presented a carefully drafted compromise and that the Sub-Committee had agreed to revisit the Performance Standard after experience had been gained with its application (see paragraph 9.8), agreed to:
1. introduce a footnote clarifying the term "totally enclosed spaces", referenced from the ends of paragraphs 4.2.1.1.4 and 4.2.1.1.5 of the Performance Standard as follows:
"Noting, inter alia, the mandatory provisions of resolution A.744(18), as amended, regarding the requirement to undertake close- up surveys of the internal structure of upper and lower stools, where fitted.";
2. change the words "other small void spaces in cargo tanks" in paragraph 4.2.1.1.3 to read "other small void spaces in cargo spaces"; and
3. set the number of spray coats in Table 1, .4 (Job specification) to one, and adopted resolution MSC(83) on Performance standard for protective coatings for void spaces on bulk carriers and oil tankers, set out in annex
9.7
In this context, the Committee concurred with the decision of DE 50 that it would consider making the Performance standard mandatory, through the development of relevant draft SOLAS amendments, in the longer perspective, after experience has been gained with its application.
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20 General Cargo Ship Safety |
20.1
The Committee recalled that MSC 82, following consideration of document MSC 82/21/19 (Russian Federation), proposing to carry out necessary studies and analysis to assess the adequacy of current safety requirements for general cargo ships aiming at obtaining realistic updated information on general cargo ship safety that can highlight the best practices as well as areas to be improved, agreed to include, in the provisional agenda for MSC 83, an item on "General cargo ship safety" to assess the adequacy of current safety requirements for general cargo ships and, when the necessary information has been submitted, to consider establishing an ad hoc Working Group on General Cargo Ship Safety at a future session. Consequently, Member Governments and international organizations were invited to submit, to this session, the appropriate information on the matter.
20.2
The Committee had for its consideration the following documents:
1. MSC 83/20/1 and Corr.1 (Argentina), proposing to examine the provisions of Annex A of resolution A.744(18) for application to general cargo ships and that new cargo ships be designed to provide an adequate means of access to cargo and other spaces to permit effective and thorough general inspection as well as the measurement of thicknesses necessary to guarantee hull structural integrity;
2. MSC 83/20/2 and MSC 83/INF.10 (New Zealand), proposing to develop practical guidelines and/or mandatory requirements for the maintenance, testing and inspection of shipboard lifting appliances and loose gear since there are currently no SOLAS requirements for such gear;
3. MSC 83/20/3 (RINA), proposing that further work be carried out to assess the adequacy of current safety requirements for general cargo ships, which should include consideration of the causes of general cargo ship losses, and that Member Governments and international organizations be invited to submit information on the investigation of such losses to enable a proper analysis to be carried out with priority being given to investigations of foundering and occupational accidents;
4. MSC 83/20/4 (Germany), providing information on the new high-level FSA study for general cargo ships under SURSHIP, which is an ERANET activity with several European Union Member States aiming to co-ordinate nationally funded research on ship survivability (see also document MSC 83/27/4);
5. MSC 83/20/5 (Republic of Korea), informing the Committee that it intends to carry out a further analysis of the casualties involving general cargo ships for a precise identification of the problem areas of such ships and proposing that the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing and the Code of Safe Practice for Ships Carrying Timber Deck Cargoes be reviewed as a first step, recognizing that there is room for improving the current safe operation of general cargo ships engaged in the transportation of heavy and lengthy cargoes; and
6. MSC 83/20/6 (India), supporting document MSC 83/21/1 and proposing that the issue of inspection of vulnerable areas of the hull, machinery and equipment should also be addressed under this agenda item.
20.3
Following an extensive discussion, the Committee generally agreed that:
1. there is an urgent need to consider the safety of general cargo ships, taking into account the current safety level of this type of ship;
2. more detailed information, analysis of the cause of accidents involving general cargo ships and related FSA study (in particular, the outcome of the SURSHIP project) are needed to facilitate the identification of the problem areas of such ships and consideration of the appropriate measures to be taken, bearing in mind a variety of ship types covered by the category of general cargo ships; and
3. a working group needs to be established to:
1. examine all the related information submitted, results of analysis and FSA studies;
2. develop the definition of a general cargo ship;
3. identify the type of ships covered by category of general cargo ships which should be dealt with under the item;
4. develop the strategy for how best to proceed on the issue; and
5. develop appropriate measures to enhance the safety of general cargo ships.
The full report is posted on the RINA website at www.rina.org.uk/IMO/MSC
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Attendance at IMO meetings |
Members of the IMO Naval Architecture Group who wish to attend any IMO meeting as a RINA observer should contact the Group Secretary at . Members should note that there may be a restriction on numbers.
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Copies of IMO papers are posted on the IMO Naval Architecture Group website at www.rina.org.uk/IMO. Comment on these papers, or on matters raised in this issue of IMO Naval Architecture Group News, or proposals for new items for discussion may be made using the online IMO NA Group Forum or by email to .
The IMO Naval Architecture Group News is available online at www.rina.org.uk/IMO/News |
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