The 12th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III 12) took place in July.
The Sub-Committee initiated the comprehensive revision of the guidelines on the implementation of the ISM Code by Administrations and companies, continued updates to the “Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC)”, advanced work on harmonization of Port State Control (PSC) activities, and reviewed lessons learned from marine casualty investigations and DNV has shared a summary of this meeting.
Comprehensive revision of the guidelines on the implementation of the ISM Code by Administrations and companies
III 12 initiated the comprehensive revision of the Guidelines on the implementation of the ISM Code by Administrations and companies, with the objective of improving the effectiveness and consistency of the ISM Code implementation across the industry.
Key outcomes included:
- Identified areas for further consideration during the comprehensive review, which may lead to revisions on the guidelines for implementation of ISM Code for Administrations and Companies
- Agreed a roadmap to develop draft amendments for consideration at III 14
- Established a Correspondence Group, which will deliver a report to III 13
- Agreed that submissions relevant for the comprehensive revision of the guidelines may be sent to III 13
Updated “Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC)”
III 12 continued the periodic update of the HSSC survey guidelines, and agreed a range of draft amendments aimed at supporting the uniform implementation of new IMO requirements and emerging survey practices.
Key decisions included:
- Updated the HSSC survey guidelines to reflect IMO amendments entering into force through 2027, including new survey requirements related to fire safety, navigation equipment and lifting appliances
- Agreed more detailed survey requirements for pilot transfer arrangements, introducing clearer compliance checks linked to the revised SOLAS V/23 requirements
- Endorsed a new coding system for determining remote survey eligibility of individual survey items, with further development to continue inter-sessionally, while recognizing the need for establishing a methodology for a harmonized approach to more digital, hybrid survey techniques
- Finalized amendments to the IMO list of certificates and documents required to be carried on board, helping to ensure that statutory documentation requirements remain aligned with recent amendments to IMO instruments
- Initiated development of survey guidelines for the Hong Kong Convention, with a view to future incorporation into the HSSC framework
- Commenced further consideration of how Safe Return to Port requirements should be reflected in future HSSC survey guidance
III 12 Finalized amendments to the IMO guidance on the transfer of ships between states (change of flag), including updated information-sharing arrangements during flag transfers.
DNV also shared details from the meeting on harmonised Port State Control (PSC) procedures and PSC officer training, casualty investigations and lesson learned, plus DNV’s own recommendations.
Read in full: DNV – IMO III 12