IMSML Web Article 9/2026: MSC.557(108) - Amendments to the Performance Standard for Protective Coatings for Dedicated Seawater Ballast Tanks in all Type of Ships and Double-Skin Spaces of Bulk Carriers (Resolution MSC.215(82) as Amended)

MSC.337(108) amends IMO’s earlier MSC.215(82). There is now a revised ‘performance standard’ which has become  mandatory under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974, Chapter II-1 (as amended by Resolution MSC.341(91) of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC). Today’s article is a short one.

What are the new Coating Inspection Requirements?

A new Paragraph 6.1.1 (found in the Annex) provides for mandatory inspections by qualifies coating inspectors. These individuals have to be AMPP Certified Coatings Inspector, FROSIO Inspector Level III, or equivalent.

These new inspection requirements replaced the previous requirements found in the older Paragraph 6.1.1.

Note:

[1] AMPP is a global organisation that has a Malaysian Chapter in Sunway, see AMPP.org

[2] FROSIO Inspectors are highly qualified individuals, see FROSIO-coating-inspector.com

Thank you for reading IMSML Web Article 9/2026

Stay tuned for the next IMSML Web Article 10/2026: MSC.558(108) - Amendments to the Performance Standard for Protective Coatings for Cargo Oil Tanks of Crude Oil Tankers (Resolution MSC.288(87), as Amended)

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

Faculty of Law

Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Selangor, Malaysia

Tuesday,  3 March 2026

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