With the growing adoption of offshore wind power generation, an increase in the number of vessels involved in accessing offshore wind power facilities, installing wind turbines, laying submarine cables, as well as performing maintenance and decommissioning post-operation is anticipated. Traditionally, workers transported to these offshore facilities on such vessels have been classified as passengers. As a result, when transporting more than 12 workers, the requirements for passenger ships, as specified by SOLAS Regulations, have applied.
However, applying the requirements for passenger ships to vessels transporting workers has been considered impractical. Therefore, regulations concerning vessels transporting personnel working on offshore facilities, such as offshore wind power or drilling platforms, referred to as Industrial Personnel (IP), have been under discussion at the IMO (International Maritime Organization).
Consequently, at the 106th session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 106) held in November 2022, the "Industrial Personnel Code" (IP Code) was adopted as Resolution MSC.527(106), and Chapter XV of the SOLAS Convention, which enforces the IP Code, was established as Resolution MSC.521(106). Both came into effect on July 1, 2024.
Since the IP Code applies to both new and existing vessels, depending on the specific conditions, a summary of the key provisions is provided below for reference.

1. Definitions of Passengers, Industrial Personnel, and Special Personnel

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