MSC 103 spotlights autonomous shipping, Covid 19 impact on seafarers, maritime security and fuel safety
May 11, 2021 Maritime Safety News
The foundations for the future development of a regulatory framework for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) will be laid at the 103rd session of IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), held in remote sessionfrom 05 to14 May 2021. The Committee will consider the outcome of a regulatory scoping exercise onMASS carried outover the last couple of years and identify priorities for further work. In addition to discussing the most appropriate ways of addressing MASS operations from the regulatory perspective, meeting attendees will also consider submissions relating to MASS trials.
MSC 103 will also explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on shipping and seafarers. The Committee is expected to discussa number ofsubmissions, including a proposal for adoption of a resolution on prioritising seafarers for COVID-19 vaccination.
Another important item on the agenda is maritime security, including cybersecurity, piracy and armed robbery. The Committee is expected to discuss in particular theongoing piracy problems in the Gulf of Guinea.
Fuel safety is also high on the agenda, with the Committee expected to establish a working group to examine issues including fuel flashpoint, blended fuels and fuel sampling and testing.
In response to the growing need for safer operation of domestic ferries, the Committee will be considering a set of draft model regulations on domestic ferry safety that can be incorporatedinto national law.
Source: miragenews