The ninety-ninth session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 99) was held at the IMO in London, U.K. from 16 to 25 May 2018. Since the minutes, resolutions and circulars of the meeting were recently released from the IMO, a summary of the decisions taken at MSC 99 is provided as below for your information.

1. Adopted mandatory requirements
Mandatory requirements adopted at MSC 99 are as follows:
(1) Passenger ships safety (See attachment 1)
Amendments to SOLAS II-1/8-1, which newly require onboard stability computer for flooding casualty or shore-based support for passenger ships constructed before 1 January 2014, were adopted.

Applied: on or after 1 January 2020

(2) Amendments to FTP Code (See attachment 2)
Amendments to Table 1 of Annex 3, which provides approval test methods for fire protection materials, were adopted, so that the table is also applicable to passenger ships carrying less than or equal to 36 passengers.

Applied: on or after 1 January 2020

(3) Modernization of the GMDSS (See attachment 1, 3, 4 and 8)
Following recent modernization of the GMDSS, amendments to SOLAS IV, 1994 and 2000 HSC Code, 2008 SPS Code and form of the relevant certificates were adopted to further accept utilization of recognized mobile satellite services, in addition to the INMARSAT.

Applied:on or after 1 January 2020

(To be continued)