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The following information indicates the main amendments to IMO regulation entering into force

 from 1 January 2020 to 1 January 2021


Revised IMO Regulations by the year when entering into force:

2016      2017    2018    2019

Convention
Code
 Regulation
Subject
 Entry in force
 New Ship
 Existing Ship
 Type of Ship
 Imo Res.
 SOLAS 
SOLAS II-1
MSC.421(98)

Amendments to the SOLAS II-1 on subdivision and damage stability:

  • Definitions of draft, trim and bulkhead deck,

  • Minimum metacentric height (GM) or maximum center of gravity (KG) is to be

    accompanied by maximum permissible trim versus draught,

  • Stability information to be supplied to the master,

  • Required subdivision index R,

  • Special requirements concerning passenger ship stability,

  • System capabilities and operational information after a flooding casualty on passenger ships,

  • Double bottoms in passenger ships,

  • Construction and initial tests of watertight doors,

  • Damage control information,

  • Periodical operation and inspection of watertight doors, in passenger ships, etc.
1 January 2020
X
Passenger ships
1. Ships contracted for construction on or after 1 January 2020
2. Ships keel laid on or after 1 July 2020, in the absence of a building contract
3. Ships delivered on or after 1 January 2024

MSC.421(98)
 SOLAS

SOLAS II-1/3-12
MSC.409(97)

Code on Noise levels

Protection against noise
1 January 2020
 X
  X 
Applies to ships delivered before 1 July 2018, contracted for construction before 1 July 2014 and the keels of which are laid on or after 1 January 2009, were adopted.
MSC.409(97)
 SOLAS
SOLAS II-1/8-1
MSC.436(99)

Amendments to SOLAS II-1/8-1, which newly require onboard stability computer for flooding casualty or shore-based support for passenger ships constructed before 1 January 201

New Ships - January 1, 2020

Existing ships -first renewal survey after 1 January 2025
 X
 X
 For Passenger Ships 120 m or more or
having three or more main vertical zones
 
 SOLAS
SOLAS II-2/9
MSC.421(98)
 The amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/9.4.1.3 seek to clarify the requirements for fire integrity of windows 
 1 January 2020
Ships constructed on or after 1 January 2020
 
 Passenger ships carrying not more than 36 passengers and  special purpose ships with more than 60 (but no more than 240) persons onboard.
 MSC.421(98)
 SOLAS
SOLAS II-2/10
MSC.409(97)

  1. Amendments to SOLAS II-2/10.5, not to require foam-type extinguisher of at least 135L capacity in the boiler space which is protected by fixed water-based local application fire-extinguishing systems
1 January 2020
X
  X
All ships
MSC.409(97)
  SOLAS
SOLAS II-2/20
MSC.421(98)

  1. SOLAS II-2/20 were adopted, so that cargo spaces containing vehicles which do not use their own propulsion within the cargo space at loading/unloading are not required to comply with requirements of SOLAS II-2/20, providing the vehicles are carried in compliance with the appropriate requirements of regulation 19 and IMDG Code.
 1 January 2020
  X
  X
  All ships
  MSC.421(98)
SOLAS
SOLAS II and III
MSC.404(96)
Evacuation analisys to passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers other than ro-ro passenger ships
 1 January 2020
 Passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers
Ro-ro passenger ships constructed on or after 1 July 1999
Ro-ro passenger ships constructed on or after 1 July 1999, passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers
MSC 404(96)
  SOLAS


SOLAS III/1
MSC.421(98)

Administration shall:

  1. .1  Ensure that, subject to the provisions of paragraph 4.2, the requirements which are

    applicable under chapter III of the SOLAS, 1974, in force prior to 1 July 1998 to new or existing ships as prescribed by that chapter are complied with;

  2. .2  Ensure that when life-saving appliances or arrangements on such ships are replaced or such ships undergo repairs, alterations or modifications of a major character which involve replacement of, or any addition to, their existing life-saving appliances or arrangements, comply with the requirements of this chapter. However, if a survival craft other than an inflatable liferaft is replaced without replacing its launching appliance, or vice versa, the survival craft or launching appliance may be of the same type as that replaced; and

  3. .3  Ensure that the requirements of regulations 30.3 and 37.3.9 are complied with
 1 January 2020 
 
  X
 

Ships constructed before 1 July 1998
  MSC.421(28)
  SOLAS
SOLAS III/3 and III/20
MSC.402(96) MSC.404(96)
Life saving appliances

Maintenance, testing and inspections of life-saving appliances shall be carried out in a manner having due regard to ensuring reliability of such appliances.
Launching appliances, lifeboat and rescue boat release gear, including fast rescue boat release gear, free-fall lifeboat release systems, davit-launched liferaft automatic release hooks, lifeboats and rescue boats, including fast rescue boats shall be subject to a thorough examination at the annual surveys required by regulations I/7 or I/8, as applicable.
 1 January 2020
  X
  X
 All ships
  MSC.402(96).
 SOLAS 
SOLAS IV, 1994 and 2000 HSC Code, 2008 SPS Code and form of the relevant certificates
MSC.436(99), 438(99), 439(99), 445(99)

Modernization of the GMDSS, amendments to SOLAS IV, 1994 and 2000 HSC Code, 2008 SPS Code and form of the relevant certificates were adopted to further accept utilization of recognized mobile satellite services, in addition to the INMARSAT.

1 January 2020
  X
X
All ships
  
 SOLAS
SOLAS XI-1/2-1
MSC.409(97)

The harmonized system under regulation XI-1/2-1 provides for a one-year standard interval between surveys, based on initial, annual, intermediate, periodical and renewal surveys, except for MARPOL Annex IV, which is based on initial and renewal surveys.
1 January 2020
X
 X

Cargo ships not subject to the ESP Code
MSC.409(97)
SOLAS
IGC Code
IGC Code Chapter 3
MSC.411(97)
SOLAS  II-2/4.5.2.3

Amendments to paragraph 3.2.5 of IGC Code Chapter 3 were adopted, for deletion of the provision that the wheelhouse windows shall be constructed not less than "A-0" class.

Amendments to paragraph 3.2.5 of IGC Code Chapter 3 were adopted, for deletion of the provision that the wheelhouse windows shall be constructed not less than "A-0" class.
 

1 January 2020
 X
 X
Ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk
 
IMDG Code
IMDG Code
MSC.442(99)
Amendments to IMDG Code:
  • new provisions regarding IMO type 9 tank,
  • a set of new abbreviations for segregation groups and
  • special provisions for carriage of lithium batteries and of vehicles powered by flammable liquid or gas.
1 January 2020
  X
  X
Ships carrying IMDG Cargo. Administrations may apply it on a voluntary basis as from 1 January 2019.


Intact Stability (IS) Code
2008 IS Code Part A and Part B
MSC.413(97), MSC.414(97), MSC.415(97)
 

Amendments to 2008 IS Code  includes recommendations regarding the intact stability criteria and stability information for ships engaged in anchor handling operations, towing operations, escort operations and lifting operations
 

1 January 2020
 X
 X
 All ships 24 m in length and above engaged in anchor handling operations, towing operations, escort operations and lifting operations
 
SPS Code
SPS Code
MSC.453(100)
Amendments to SPS Code (Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships) were adopted in order to comprehensively consolidate the related resolutions and amendments (MSC/Circ.739, MSC.183(79), MSC.439(99)) into one resolution.

1 January 2020
  X
 X
 

Special Purpose Ships
MSC453(100)
FTP Code
 
 

Amendments to FTP Code (Table 1 of Annex 3), 
MSC.437(99)
Amendments  to Table 1 of Annex 3, 2010 FTP CODE
 MSC.437(99)
1 January 2020
 X
  X
Passenger ships and high-speed craft.
MSC.437(99)
FSS Code
FSS Code Chapter 8
MSC.403(96)
 
Amendments to chapter 8 of FSS Code to provide requirements on water quality to prevent internal corrosion and clogging of sprinklers
  1 January 2020
 X
  X
All ships  
 MSC.403(96)
SOLAS
 IBC, BCH, GC, IGC and EGC Code
MSC.440(99), MSC.441(99), MSC.446(99), MSC.447(99)
Amendments to format of Certificate of Fitness for IBC, BCH, GC, IGC and EGC Code were adopted, to clearly require ensuring that the loading and stability information booklet has been supplied to the ship in an approved form.
1 January 2020
 X
 X
 Chemical tankers and gas carriers
MSC.440(99) MSC.441(99)
 SOLAS, FSS, MODU
 FSS Code Chapter 17, SOLAS II, MODU Code
MSC.403(96),MSC.404(96), MSC.407(96)
 
New chapter 17 of FSS Code which provides specifications for foam firefighting appliances for the protection of helideck defined in SOLAS II-2/III and helicopter landing area (an area on a ship designated for occasional or emergency landing of helicopter), and amendments to SOLAS II-2/18 to make the provisions mandatory were adopted
 1 January 2020
X
 
 

Ships constructed on or after 1 January 2020, having a helicopter landing area
 MSC.403(96)






IGF Code
 IGF Code Chapter 11
MSC.422(98)
Amendments to paragraph 11.3.2, chapter 11 of the IGF Code were adopted, for deletion of provision that wheelhouse windows facing fuel tanks on open deck shall be constructed not less than "A-0" class, in line with the adoption of amendments to paragraph 3.2.5, chapter 3 of the IGC Code.
 1 January 2020
X
  X
Ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels
 MSC.422(98)
 MARPOL
MARPOL Annex VI Reg.14.8
MEPC.280(70)
 Sulphur content of any fuel oil used on board ships outside of Sox Emission Control Areas (Global Cap) shall not exceed 0.5% m/m
 1 January 2020
 X
 X
 All ships
MEPC.280(70)
   MARPOL 
MARPOL Annex VI 
MEPC.305(73)
Prohibition on the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil (sulphur content exceeding 0.50%)
1 March 2020
X
 X
 All ships
MEPC.305(73)
  MARPOL
MARPOL Annex I (Reg 1,17), II(Reg.1, 15), V(Reg.1, 10), VI(Reg.2,12,13,14)  and the NOx Technical Code(Ch. 1 1.3.20, Ch.6 6.2.2.
Amendments concerning the acceptability of using electronic record books in lieu of paper record
 
1 October 2020
  X
X
 All ships
 MARPOL
 
MARPOL Annex VI
 
Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI to exempt category A ships as defined in the Polar Code from EEDI requirements were adopted.
1 October 2020
 X
 
New Ships category A  as defined in the Polar Code,400GT or over,contracted for construction on or after 1 October 2020
  MEPC.316(74)
81962