The International Maritime Organization’s Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC) convened its 12th session in London from January 19-23, 2023, under the chairmanship of Mr. Erik Tvedt from Denmark. Key outcomes included a draft workplan aimed at developing a safety framework for greenhouse gas (GHG)-reducing technologies and actions to mitigate underwater radiated noise from ships. The SDC also agreed on draft guidelines for remote inspection techniques and revised guidelines for using fiber-reinforced plastics in ship structures.
The finalized workplan for the GHG safety framework will be submitted to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in May 2026. It focuses on updating safety regulations pertinent to nuclear power, wind propulsion, and lithium-ion batteries. The SDC Correspondence Group will analyze information on these technologies and report back in 2027.
Additionally, the Sub-Committee advanced efforts to reduce underwater radiated noise from shipping, extending the experience-building phase to 2028 for further evaluation of the Revised URN Guidelines. It also approved draft technical guidance for integrating energy-efficient solutions that minimize underwater noise during ship design and retrofitting, emphasizing the synergy between energy efficiency and noise reduction. A study on URN emissions is planned to establish targets for future reductions.
