Implementation of LRIT - key decisions made
at IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee
Maritime Safety Committee – 83rd session: 3-12 October 2007
Key decisions relating to the implementation of the Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) System were made by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), when it met in Copenhagen, Denmark, for its 83rd session from 3 to 12 October.
Other important issues on the MSC agenda included the adoption of proposed amendments to SOLAS relating to the provision of mobile satellite communication services in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), further development of goal-based standards for new ship construction and discussion of maritime security issues.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Neil Ferrer (Philippines), who was elected as Chairman for 2007 at the opening of the session
Long Range Identification and Tracking
The MSC made a number of decisions to ensure the timely implementation of the LRIT system.
International LRIT Data Exchange (IDE)
The MSC accepted the contingency offer of the United States to host, build and operate, on an interim and temporary basis, the International LRIT Data Exchange (IDE), agreeing that a permanent home should be found for the IDE as soon as possible (within two years from 1 January 2008, subject to a further review by the Committee). An MSC resolution on Establishment of the IDE on an interim basis was adopted.
The LRIT system will consist of the shipborne LRIT information transmitting equipment, the Communication Service Provider(s), the Application Service Provider(s), the LRIT Data Centre(s), including any related Vessel Monitoring System(s), the LRIT Data Distribution Plan and the IDE. The LRIT Data Centres communicate with each other and exchange information and data though the IDE and thus the IDE has a key and pivotal role in the establishment and functioning of the system
LRIT information will be provided to Contracting Governments and search and rescue services entitled to receive the information, upon request, through a system of National, Regional, Co-operative and International LRIT Data Centres, using where necessary, the IDE.
The establishment of the interim IDE will allow the LRIT system to be launched on schedule with multiple LRIT Data Centres operating and joined through the IDE.
Guidance on technical issues and performance standards
The MSC, as a result of the work done in relation to various technical aspects of the LRIT system adopted an MSC resolution on Amendments to the Performance Standards and functional requirements of Long-Range Identification for Tracking for Ships.
The MSC also authorized the MSC chairman, in co-operation with the IMO Secretariat, to finalize a number of draft technical specifications for the IDE, International LRIT Data Centre, communications, and protocols for the development testing of the LRIT, which had been prepared by the ad hoc Working Group on Engineering aspects of LRIT, and to issue them as an MSC circular.
Schedule for implementation of the LRIT system
The schedule for the implementation of the LRIT system, which was agreed during MSC 81, remains in effect. However, the MSC, with a view to ensuring the timely establishment of the LRIT system and bearing in mind that its next session will be in May 2008, established an ad hoc LRIT Group and authorize it, if the need arises during the design, establishment and testing of the LRIT system, to consider and agree on behalf of the MSC, inter alia, amendments to technical specification and standards it has approved. As this is an exceptional arrangement, the ad hoc LRIT Group has been instructed to provide detailed reports of its actions and clear justifications for its decisions so as to enable the MSC to approve or endorse or accept, as the case may be, the Group's decisions in retrospect.
Use of LRIT information for safety and environmental protection purposes
The MSC adopted a resolution Use of Long-range identification and tracking information for safety and environmental purposes, which notes that such use of LRIT information would add significant value to existing systems by improving knowledge of ships' positions and identity. The resolution states that MSC agrees that Contracting Governments may request, receive and use LRIT information for safety and environmental protection purposes.
SOLAS regulation V/19-1 on LRIT will enter into force on 1 January 2008 and will apply to ships constructed on or after 31 December 2008 with a phased-in implementation schedule for ships constructed before 31 December 2008. The LRIT system is intended to be operational with respect to the transmission of LRIT information by ships from 30 December 2008.
Amendments to SOLAS
The MSC adopted the following amendments to SOLAS chapters IV and VI, SOLAS appendix, the INF Code, which is mandatory under SOLAS chapter VII, and the 1988 SOLAS Protocol.
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Amendment to SOLAS chapter IV, to add a new regulation 4-1 on GMDSS satellite providers. The new regulation provides for the MSC to determine the criteria, procedures and arrangements for the evaluation, recognition, review and oversight of the provision of mobile satellite communication services in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). The amendment is expected to enter into force on 1 July 2009.
The MSC also approved the related draft revised Criteria for the provision of mobile-satellite communication systems in the GMDSS (resolution A.888(21)), for submission to and adoption by the IMO Assembly at its 25th session in November this year. |
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Amendment to SOLAS chapter VI, to add a new regulation 5-1 on material safety data sheets (MSDS), to require ships carrying MARPOL Annex I cargoes (oil) and marine fuel oils to be provided with a material safety data sheet prior to loading such cargoes. The regulation refers to the Recommendation for material safety data sheets (MSDS) for MARPOL Annex I cargoes and marine fuel oils, adopted by the Organization through resolution MSC.150(77). The amendment is expected to enter into force on 1 July 2009. |
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Amendment to the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes on Board Ships (INF Code), specifically, to Chapter 2, on Damage Stability, to bring it into line with updates to SOLAS. The amendment is expected to enter into force on 1 July 2009. |
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Amendments to forms contained in the appendix to the Annex to the 1988 SOLAS Protocol to add a section to cover alternative design and arrangements (Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate and Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate). Also, similar amendments to the forms for the Nuclear Passenger Safety Certificate and the Nuclear Cargo Ship Safety Certificate contained in the appendix to the Annex to the 1974 SOLAS Convention. The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 July 2009. |
Goal-based new ship construction standards
The MSC re-established the Working Group on Goal-based Standards (GBS) for New Ship Construction and further progressed the work on the issue.
A work plan for the further development of GBS was agreed, with both the prescriptive and the safety level approach included as integral elements of IMO GBS. The plan includes:
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clarification of the work to be done to develop a generic GBS framework; |
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identification and compilation of the elements of the framework that have already been agreed to or proposed in previous MSC submissions, working group reports or other IMO instruments (e.g., FSA Guidelines, HEAP process guidelines) and identification of existing gaps; and |
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development of a prioritized plan to close the gaps and provide a unified framework that ensures consistent development of GBS, i.e. both the prescriptive and safety level approaches. |
The MSC also agreed a short term plan, which would lead to finalization of the GBS for bulk carriers and oil tankers, including Tier III and the associated SOLAS amendments, with adoption of relevant SOLAS amendments and associated guidelines at MSC 86, scheduled for 2009. A correspondence group on GBS was established to report to MSC 84.
The reports of two correspondence groups were reviewed, namely the Correspondence Group on GBS for oil tankers and bulk carriers and the Correspondence Group on GBS based on the safety level approach
The MSC also considered the report of the Pilot Panel on the Pilot project on trial application of the GBS Tier III verification process using the IACS Common Structural Rules.
The Working Group reviewed draft Guidelines for the verification of compliance with GBS, prepared by the Pilot Panel, following which the Committee agreed that a second trial application of the Guidelines using the IACS CSR for oil tankers would be necessary in order to finalize the draft Guidelines and approved the project plan for a second trial application.
The MSC noted that the GBS Working Group had discussed a draft MSC circular on Guidelines for the information to be included in a Ship Construction File and that this would be further considered at MSC 85, when the GBS Working Group would finalize the draft SOLAS amendments on GBS for bulk carriers and oil tankers.
With regard to GBS for bulk carriers and oil tankers, the MSC has already agreed on a five-tier system, consisting of goals (Tier I), functional requirements (Tier II), verification of compliance criteria (Tier III), technical procedures and guidelines, classification rules and industry standards (Tier IV) and codes of practice and safety and quality systems for shipbuilding, ship operation, maintenance, training, manning, etc. (Tier V). Tier I goals and Tier II functional requirements have already been agreed in principle.
Measures to enhance maritime security
The MSC re-established the ad hoc Working Group on Maritime Security to discuss issues relating to maritime security.
Security arrangements for non-SOLAS vessels
Following discussions in the working group, the MSC established a correspondence group on security arrangements for vessels which do not fall within the scope of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code (non-SOLAS vessels). The correspondence group was instructed to develop recommendatory guidelines to enhance maritime security to complement measures required by SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, which could be utilized by Contracting Governments and/or Administrations at their own discretion. The aim is to address security measures for possible application by non SOLAS vessels in order to protect non-SOLAS vessels against security threats; and prevent non-SOLAS vessels from posing a security threat to other vessels and port facilities.
Container security
The MSC approved, from its own point of view, a Joint MSC/FAL circular on Securing and facilitating international trade, previously developed by the Joint MSC/FAL working group on security and facilitation of the movement of closed cargo transport units and of freight containers transported by sea. The circular was first approved by the Facilitation Committee at its 34th session in March 2007, and will now be issued.
Security-related training
The MSC endorsed proposed draft amendments to the STCW Convention. The proposed amendments relate to regulation VI/1 and sections A-VI/1 and B-VI/1, addressing the basic security-related training, and security-related familiarization training, for seafarers without designated security-related duties and for all shipboard personnel, respectively; and propose a new regulation VI/6 and new sections A-VI/6 and B VI/6, addressing the standards of competency, and security-related familiarization training, for seafarers with designated security-related duties.
The intention is that the draft amendments will be reviewed by the Sub Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW), in conjunction with the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and the STCW Code, being carried out by the STW Sub-Committee.
The MSC also decided that seafarers serving on ships which are not required to comply with SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code should be required to undertake basic security-related training or instruction.
Meanwhile, the MSC approved a draft MSC.1 circular on Guidelines on security-related training and familiarization training for shipboard personnel.
Implementation of the revised STCW Convention
The list of Parties deemed to be giving full and complete effect to the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, was updated following the submission by the Secretary-General of his report on those countries whose reports of independent evaluations had been completed since the previous MSC meeting.
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