IMO Resolution MSC.409(97) was adopted at the ninety-seventh session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 97) held in November 2016, which stipulates that in case where boiler spaces are protected by fixed local fire extinguish systems required in SOLAS Chapter II-2 10.5.6, a foam fire extinguisher of at least 135L capacity or equivalent required in SOLAS Chapter II-2 10.5.1.2.2 is not required.
The amendments will come into force from 1 January 2020 for all ships.

Also MSC.1/Circ.1566 was approved at the same time, which invites Administration's voluntary early implementation of the amendments prior to 1 January 2020 at their discretion.
Accordingly, please be instructed as follows.

1. Voluntary Early Implementation
(1) In case where an Administration accepts early implementation of the amendments in accordance with the Circular prior to 1 January 2020, ClassNK follows the decision.

(2) The following Administrations have already informed ClassNK of the voluntary early implementation of this amendment.
Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cyprus(*1), Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Japan, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, United Kingdom

(*1) It is necessary to submit an application for authorization to the Administration for each ship (see Attachment 3).

The updated information on above is available on ClassNK web site as shown below, including the related Resolution and Circular.
http://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/en/activities/statutory/solas/solas_treaty/exemption/

(To be continued)