BIMCO Provides Details of New SOLAS Amendments

BIMCO recently provided an overview of the new SOLAS amendments, which aim to enhance the safety of Pilot Transfer Arrangements for ships. The draft amendments, finalised by the IMO Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications, and Search and Rescue, are expected to be adopted at the Maritime Safety Committee 109 meeting in the autumn of 2024 and will come into force on January 1, 2028, with an option for early implementation by member states. The amendments include requirements for the design, installation, maintenance, and inspection of Pilot Transfer Arrangements on ships.

The new SOLAS amendments mandate that Pilot Transfer Arrangements installed on or after January 1, 2028, must meet the amended performance standards, while those installed before that date must comply with the requirements by no later than January 1, 2029. The amendments also outline detailed provisions for the inspection, maintenance, stowage, and care of pilot ladders, manropes, and associated equipment to ensure their fitness and safety for personnel transfer.

While the new requirements may pose additional responsibilities on shipowners, they are aimed at ensuring the safety of personnel boarding vessels and reducing potential operational delays and costs. BIMCO emphasizes the importance of obtaining pilot and embarkation ladders from original equipment manufacturers or approved suppliers to avoid counterfeit or expired equipment, which could compromise safety on board ships. Inspections of ladders should be conducted with vigilance to prevent accidents and ensure compliance with the new SOLAS amendments.

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