The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed on a draft workplan to develop a safety framework for ships using alternative fuels and new technologies to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The plan, adopted at the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC) in January, will be submitted to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for approval in May.
The work includes developing or amending regulations covering nuclear propulsion, wind and wind-assisted propulsion, and lithium-ion batteries, including swappable battery containers. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez called the agreement a “major achievement”, ensuring safety keeps pace with technological progress under the IMO’s GHG strategy.
If approved, key milestones include:
- 2028 (MSC 111): Adoption of amendments to SOLAS regulation II-1/41 to allow for batteries to be used as the main source of electrical power and lighting systems.
- 2029 (MSC 116): Approval of interim guidelines for the safety of ships using wind propulsion and wind-assisted power.
- 2030 (MSC 118): Adoption of the revised Nuclear Code and amendments to SOLAS chapter VIII.
The Sub-Committee established the SDC Correspondence Group on GHG Safety to compile and analyse information related to nuclear and wind power, as well as develop draft amendments to SOLAS regulation II-1/41 to allow for batteries to be used as the main source of electrical power and lighting systems. The Correspondence Group will submit a written report to the next session of the Sub-Committee (SDC 13) in 2027.
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Underwater radiated noise
The Sub-Committee also progressed the work under the Action Plan for the reduction of underwater radiated (URN) noise from commercial shipping (URN Action Plan), which was approved at MEPC 82 in 2024. After analysing and discussing lessons learned to date from the three-year experience-building phase (EBP) initiated in 2024, the Sub-Committee agreed to invite the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84) to extend the EBP for two more years, with a target completion year in 2028.
Should this two-year extension of the EBP be agreed by MEPC 84, it would allow for an extended window to gain further experience in the application of the Revised URN Guidelines, providing more time to address the remaining gaps, needs and barriers related to the implementation of this IMO instrument.
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Technical guidance for integrating low noise solutions
In addition, the Sub-Committee agreed to the draft technical guidance on co-optimising energy efficiency and underwater radiated noise at the design and retrofit stage with a view to approval by MEPC 84. This circular provides supplementary technical guidance on integrating URN reduction with energy efficiency (EE), recognising the synergies between the two frameworks.
The Sub-Committee further agreed to the draft terms of reference for an IMO-commissioned study on URN emissions. The study will support the development of targets for reducing URN by generating in-water estimates and help in determining an URN baseline for ships, as well as for contemporary and future projections of URN emissions.
Picture: IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez and IMO SDC Chair Erik Tvedt during the SDC’s 12th session at IMO Headquarters in London (photo by IMO).
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