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IMO on oilspills, shoreside power

GLOBAL: IMO holds cold ironing workshop, addresses oil spill preparedness
https://www.bunkerspot.com/global/45683-global-imo-holds-cold-ironing-wo...

Meeting this week, the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) has been instructed to develop guidelines on the safe operation of cold ironing and to consider developing any necessary draft amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention.

‘Plugging a ship into shore-side power - and turning off onboard generators - is one solution to reducing air pollution from ships, as well as limiting local noise,’ the International Maritime Organization said.

Also this week at the Interspill 2018 conference and exhibition in London, the IMO joined oil spill experts and stakeholders to discuss future issues concerning oil spill preparedness, response and restoration.

Speaking at the opening session, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said that ‘many years of collaborative work between governments and industry, at IMO, have helped reduce dramatically the number of oil spills and the amount of oil spilt from ships.’

Lim outlined how individual incidents had been catalysts for significant improvements, through IMO regulations, in areas such as ship design, operation, disposal of engine room wastes, as well as the framework for compensating the victims of pollution incidents.

He also highlighted IMO’s continuing support, with assistance from a number of key partners, to countries to improve their capacity in preparing for, and dealing with, major incidents that might result in pollution damage.

IMO on safety aspects of shore-side power
https://shipinsight.com/imo-on-safety-aspects-of-shore-side-power/

Plugging a ship into shore-side power – and turning off onboard generators – is one solution to reducing air pollution from ships, as well as limiting local noise.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) is this week beginning to look at the safety aspects of on shore power supply to ships, also known as “cold ironing”, “alternative maritime power” and “shore-side electricity”.

The Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE), meeting 12-16 March, has been instructed to develop guidelines on the safe operation of cold ironing and to consider developing any necessary draft amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention.

On other matters, the Sub-Committee is expected to finalise draft new requirements for ventilation of totally enclosed lifeboats. This important work is aimed at ensuring that a habitable environment is maintained in such survival craft.

The meeting will also consider specific conditions and performance criteria for life-saving appliances and arrangements intended for use in polar waters, following the entry into force of IMO’s Polar Code.

Fire protection issues on the agenda include the ongoing review of current SOLAS regulations and associated codes to minimize the incidence and consequences of fires on new and existing ro-ro passenger ships, specifically in the ro-ro spaces and special category spaces.

Mandatory requirements for onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches are also on the agenda. The Sub-Committee is expected to identify where draft requirements should be included in the SOLAS treaty and further develop draft related guidelines.

The SSE 5 meeting was opened by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim and is being chaired by Dr. Susumu Ota (Japan).