The MSC 110th session was held from June 18th to 27th, 2025, at the IMO Headquarters in London. Key outcomes for MSC 110 are as follows:
To enhance the safety of the marine pilots' transfer arrangements and other personnel embarking and disembarking ships in all conditions of draught and trim, the MSC 110 adopted amendments to chapter V/23 of the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the associated new Performance Standards.
These include mandatory standards for the design, manufacture, construction, and installation of relevant equipment, along with requirements for inspection, stowage, maintenance, replacement, and familiarization of all pilot transfer arrangements. The key measures that will enter into force on 1 January 2028 and apply globally across the industry. MSC 110 also approved an MSC circular on voluntary early implementation of the amendments to SOLAS Regulation V/23. (Note 1)
The assembly will be invited to revoke Resolutions A.1045(27) and A.1108(29) from 1 April 2030 as a consequence of the new Performance Standards
2. High Speed Craft Codes – life jackets
MSC 110 adopted amendments to Paragraph 8.3.5 of Annex 1 of the 1994 and 2000 High Speed Craft (HSC) Codes to harmonize the life jacket carriage requirements in the codes with the corresponding requirements in SOLAS Chapter III with respect to the number of infant life jackets and accessories to adult life jackets to accommodate large persons. The amendments will enter into force on January 1st, 2028.
MSC 110 had approved Generic interim guidelines on training seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies to support the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping (STCW.7/Circ.25).
4. Atmospheric oil mist detectors
MSC 110 had approved revising the non-mandatory Code of Practice for Atmospheric Oil Mist Detectors (MSC/Circ. 1086) to reflect experiences, current practices, and new technologies since the Code was approved in 2003.
The IMO non-mandatory, goal-based Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code) is almost complete. It will apply to autonomous cargo ships and is intended to enter into force as a mandatory code upon experience with its application.
There are 18 chapters completed in the non-mandatory MASS Code, leaving mainly the chapter on the human element to be finalized.
An additional key decision was that unmanned MASS should be capable of assisting persons in distress. Vessels will therefore be required to have a plan for conducting SAR operations, even without a crew on board.
It is worth noting that the MASS Code will serve as a supplementary document to the SOLAS Convention and does not automatically relax any of the SOLAS requirements. Any exemptions from SOLAS must be agreed upon with the flag state during the approval process.
The non-mandatory MASS Code will be progressed in an intersessional Working Group meeting planned for the autumn of 2025, focusing on the human element aspects of the code.
The non-mandatory code is expected to be adopted at MSC 111 (May 2026), followed by an experience-building phase. A mandatory code will likely enter into force on 1 January 2032, at the earliest.
MSC 110 discussed clarifying the regulatory framework for gas carriers using alternative fuels, particularly whether the IGF or IGC codes should apply. MSC agreed on a potential "one ship, one code" policy (Note 2).
MSC Committee agreed that the policy should continue to apply for IGC Code ships using cargo included in Chapter 19 of the IGC Code as fuel. That application guidelines should be developed for low-flashpoint fuels, other than the products listed in Chapter 19 of the IGC Code, used on gas carriers. The application of both Codes will be addressed by guidelines, which IMO will further develop.
It will need to take into consideration the human factors and crew protection into the core of maritime safety policies, continue the anti-workplace harassment and human factor risk management promoted in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO), and incorporate it into the review direction of the ISM Code and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) mechanism.
This revision of the guidelines on the implementation of the ISM Code is also intended to address key recommendations for Administrations and shipping companies related to the prevention of violence and harassment on board ships, including sexual harassment, bullying, and sexual assault.
(1) Amendments to the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (2008 SPS Code)
(2) Amendments to the Code of Safety for Fishermen and Fishing Vessels, 2005
(3) A new MSC circular on “Required Pilot Transfer Arrangements for Pilots and Other Personnel”, revoking the illustrative guidance in MSC.1/Circ.1428 on “Pilot Transfer Arrangements – Required Boarding Arrangements or Pilots”.
Note 2: The “one ship, one code” policy is a principle that a ship should be subject to only one safety code for gases or low-flashpoint liquids: either the IGC Code or the IGF Code. The intention is to apply one consistent safety philosophy and to avoid unintentional consequences that could arise from selecting requirements from various codes.
References:
1. American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), News Brief: MSC 110. https://absinfo.eagle.org/acton/ct/16130/s-10e6-2506:0/Bct/l-0d79/l-0d79:1a4b/ct1_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AIJEEeJyqw2. Det Norske Veritas (DNV), IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110). https://www.dnv.com/news/2025/imo-maritime-safety-committee-msc-110/
3. InterManager, Summary report on IMO Maritime Safety Committee MSC 110. https://www.intermanager.org/2025/06/imo-committee-meeting-msc-110-18-27-june-2025-167164/
4. Lloyd's Register (LR), IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) Summary Report. https://maritime.lr.org/MSC-110-Summary-Report
5. ClassNK, Preliminary Report of MSC 110. https://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/pdf/info_service/imo_and_iacs/MSC110_sumE.pdf
6. IMO, Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83), 7 to 11 April 2025. https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/MeetingSummaries/Pages/MEPC-83rd-session.aspx
7. 財團法人驗船中心，《MSC 110會議快報》。https://www.crclass.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/MSC110%E6%9C%83%E8%AD%B0%E5%BF%AB%E5%A0%B120250627-final.pdf