The International Maritime Organization’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 12) advanced key regulatory and safety measures during its 12th session, held from 14–18 September, with discussions covering alternative fuels, onboard carbon capture, dangerous goods, cargo safety and securing.

The Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) addresses the safe carriage of solid and liquid bulk cargoes, dangerous goods and containers, as well as the safety of alternative fuels and new technologies. Following the conclusion of the Sub-Committee, Lloyd’s Register (LR) has provided the following overview of some of the significant outcomes from CCC 12.

Key outcomes

The revision of the Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Methyl/Ethyl Alcohol as Fuel (MSC.1/Circ.1621) was finalized, introducing additional requirements covering toxicity, bunkering, fire safety, ventilation, personnel protection and emergency procedures. The revised guidelines are expected to be approved by MSC 113 in June 2027.
Work continued on new and revised guidelines for alternative fuels and technologies, including low-flashpoint oil fuels, fuel cell power installations and onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS). Several items will continue intersessionally, with further work expected at CCC 13.
Draft amendments to the IMSBC and IMDG Codes were progressed, including new cargo schedules, improved cargo information requirements, provisions for sodium-ion and lithium batteries, and clarifications concerning self-reactive substances and organic peroxides.
The revision of the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) was agreed, with a revised Code to be submitted to MSC 112 for approval. CCC 12 also agreed to establish a permanent Technical Body to oversee its future maintenance.
Draft amendments to the Cargo Securing Manual guidelines were finalized, introducing harmonized performance standards for lashing software used on containerships. A proposal for a standardized method to assess container securing arrangements under the CSS Code was also agreed, with completion targeted for 2030.

1- Alternative fuels

a. Revised guidelines for methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel

CCC 12 finalized the revision of the Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Methyl/Ethyl Alcohol as Fuel (MSC.1/Circ.1621), taking into account industry experience since their adoption in 2020.

The revised guidelines introduce provisions covering:

toxicity risks and associated risk assessments and alarms;

alignment with the IBC Code;

cofferdams and gas detection;

bunkering stations, systems and operations, including vapour return lines;

independent fuel tanks and secondary enclosures;

vent pipes, holding tanks and pressure/vacuum relief systems;

oxygen sensors in spaces containing inert gas systems;

materials and ventilation requirements; and

personnel protection, training, drills and emergency exercises.

MSC 113 is expected to approve the revised guidelines in June 2027.

b. Low-flashpoint oil fuels

Work continued on new Interim Guidelines for ships using oil fuels with a flashpoint between 52°C and 60°C. The guidelines are being developed as goal-based provisions that can be used to demonstrate alternative design arrangements under SOLAS regulation II-1/55.

Finalization was delayed by one year, with a correspondence group tasked with further developing the provisions ahead of CCC 13.

c. Fuel cell power installations

The revision of the Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Fuel Cell Power Installations (MSC.1/Circ.1647) will continue through correspondence.

Issues under consideration include the classification of fuel cell spaces, ventilation requirements, fire-protected boundaries, the inclusion of high-temperature fuel cells and alignment with the IMO guidelines for ships using hydrogen as fuel.

Finalization is expected at CCC 13 in 2027, with approval at MSC 114 in 2028.

2- Onboard carbon capture2.

CCC 12 began developing new goal- and risk-based Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage Systems.

The guidelines will establish overall safety goals and functional requirements, while detailed provisions for specific technologies will be developed as the technologies mature. Chemical absorption capture is expected to be addressed first, with other technologies potentially added later.

The guidelines are expected to be finalized at CCC 14 in 2028, with approval targeted for 2029.

3. Cargo safety and dangerous goods

a. IMSBC Code

Draft amendments to the IMSBC Code and Supplements were progressed, with several new and revised cargo schedules referred to the Editorial and Technical Group (E&T 45) for further consideration.

New schedules include cargoes such as untreated incinerator bottom ash, contaminated soil, direct shipping ore spodumene, mullite, kaolinite and tabular alumina.

CCC 12 also considered amendments to section 4.2 of the IMSBC Code concerning the information provided by shippers, including subsidiary hazards, MHB identification and supporting certificates.

The draft amendments are expected to be adopted by MSC 113 in June 2027, with voluntary application from 1 January 2028 and mandatory application from 1 January 2029.

b. IMDG Code

Work began on Amendment 44-28 of the IMDG Code, including proposals addressing the transport documentation of damaged, defective or end-of-life sodium-ion batteries.

CCC 12 also identified a potential safety gap concerning SP188, which provides exemptions for certain small lithium and sodium batteries. The Sub-Committee agreed that further work is needed to address the potential fire risk from large quantities of such batteries consolidated in containers.

Other proposed amendments would clarify explosion hazards associated with self-reactive substances, organic peroxides and polymerizing substances.

Amendment 44-28 is expected to be adopted by MSC 114 in 2028, with voluntary application from 1 January 2029 and mandatory application from 1 January 2030.

4. Revision of the CTU Code

CCC 12 agreed to a comprehensive revision of the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code), which provides guidance for the safe packing, handling and transport of cargo in containers and other cargo transport units.

A draft MSC circular containing the revised Code will be prepared for submission to MSC 112 in December 2026. CCC 12 also agreed to establish a permanent Technical Body to oversee the Code’s future maintenance and updating.

5. Cargo securing

CCC 12 finalized draft amendments to the Revised Guidelines for the Preparation of the Cargo Securing Manual (MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2).

The amendments introduce an interim performance standard for lashing software, covering software functionality, calculation methods, tolerances, approval, testing, surveys, data exchange and integration with external systems.

The revised guidelines are expected to be approved by MSC 113 in June 2027. For container ships with a keel laid date on or after 1 July 2027, the revised guidelines, including the new lashing software appendix, are expected to apply.

CCC 12 also agreed to develop a new annex to the CSS Code containing a standardized method for assessing the efficiency of container securing arrangements, with completion targeted for 2030.

Source: Safety4Sea

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