IMSML Website Article 50/2024: Resolution MSC.542(107) - Amendments to the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships 1983 (1983 SPS Code), AND MSC.543(107) - Amendments to the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships 2008 (2008 SPS Code)

This is another short article combining two resolutions made by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), ie MSC.542(107) and MSC.543(107). Both resolutions are applicable via Malaysian Shipping Notice (MSN) 12/2023, Appendix 1 as the 11th and 12th subject-matters.

Both the 1983 SPS Code and the 2008 SPS Code amends the form of the ‘Record of Equipment for the SPS Certificates’ for types of immersion suits under both Codes. Both amendments will be effective on 1 January 2026. There are also corresponding amendments to the SOLAS Convention 1974, as well as the HSC Codes (both 1994 and 2000). Note that the consequential amendments have been authorised by the Maritime Safety Committee via the following Resolutions:

[1] MSC.532(107);

[2] MSC.536(107);

[3] MSC.537(107).

The amendments for both the SPS Code 1983 and 2008 are set out in the Annex, which has an Appendix titled ‘Record of Equipment for the Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate (Form SPS)’. Entries 8 to 8.2 in the table for ‘Details of Life -Saving Appliances’ are replacer with a new no.8: ‘Number of Immersion Suits’.

Note, the amendments come into force on 1 January 2026.

Thank you for reading IMSML Website Article 50/2024

Stay tuned for the next IMSML Website Article 51/2024: Resolution MSC.544(107) - Amendment to the Revised Recommendation on Testing of Life-Saving Appliances, ie Resolution MSC.81(70).

Signing-off for today,

Dr Irwin Ooi Ui Joo, LL.B(Hons.)(Glamorgan); LL.M (Cardiff); Ph.D (Cardiff); CMILT

Professor of Maritime and Transport Law

Head of the Centre for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution

Faculty of Law

Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Selangor, Malaysia

Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Note that I am the corresponding author for the IMSML Website Articles. My official email address is: uijoo310@uitm.edu.my