Last week, the IMO concluded its 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111), which saw delegations enter into discussions about future amendments to the ISPS Code. This was a result of a submission made by the US delegation on a need to strengthen the ISPS Code in the face of increasing risks and threats to the maritime sector from illicit trade and organised crime. As expected, this was met with diverging views, with some delegations, including industry bodies, of the view that this could be captured through existing guidance and regulations under the IMO. Others – mainly Belgium and other EU Member States – saw this as a valuable opportunity to strengthen maritime security. The Committee agreed to consider this item in more detail at the next session, so further proposals can be expected from Member States at the next meeting in December. Also on the agenda was the adoption of the first International Code of Safety on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code) to support the safe integration of AI-enabled and remotely operated commercial ships into global shipping. This code sets out a comprehensive, goal-based framework to ensure that remotely controlled MASS ships are designed and operated to the level of safety, security and environmental protection that is expected of a conventional ship. The code applied to cargo ships and will take effect from 1 July 2026. MSC 111 was a successful meeting for IAPH, which saw the Committee agree to include a reference to the IAPH Cyber Risk Guidelines for Emerging Technologies in the overarching IMO Guidelines for Cyber Risk Management, following previous approval at FAL 50.
Source: IAPH
IMO MSC opens discussions on ISPS Code
