Attacks on
shipping in the Red Sea, regulating autonomous ships, piracy and armed robbery,
safety of GHG reduction are amongst key issues on the agenda at the IMO’s
Maritime Safety Committee, meeting from May 15-24.
The
Committee deals with all matters related to maritime safety and maritime
security which fall within the scope of IMO. This includes a wide range of
issues, including enhancing maritime security, setting global safety standards
and seafarer issues and the human element.
The meeting
is chaired by Mayte Medina of the United
States, supported by Vice-Chairman, Capt. Theofilos Mozas of Greece. MSC 108 highlights include:
1.
Measures to enhance maritime security, including Red Sea security
2.
Development of a code for autonomous ships (Maritime Autonomous Surface
Ships - MASS)
3.
Development of a safety regulatory framework to support the reduction of
GHG emissions from ships using new technologies and alternative fuels
4.
Revision of the Guidelines on maritime cyber risk management
5.
Addressing violence and harassment in the maritime sector – training
requirements to be adopted
6.
Training and certification of fishing vessel personnel – revised treaty
and a new code to be adopted
7.
Guidelines on the medical examination of fishers to be approved
8.
Amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention and associated instruments to be
adopted
9.
Piracy and armed robbery updates to be considered
10. Reports from the Sub-Committees
– approval of various sets of provision