The Marine Department of the Hong Kong SAR has published a information notice advising on changes to Chapter II-2 and Chapter V of International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which will enter into force on 1 January 2026.
The amendments were adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization at its 108th session. Main amendments to Chapter II-2 and Chapter V of SOLAS are summarised as follows, amongst others:
• MSC.550(108) – Chapter II-2/B/4.2.1.9. Requirements for oil fuel delivered to and used on board ships not to jeopardize the safety of ships or adversely affect the performance of the machinery or be harmful to personnel.
• MSC.550(108) – Chapter II-2/C/7.5.5. Requirement for all control stations and cargo control rooms of cargo ships constructed on or after 1 January 2026 to be fitted with a fire detection and fire alarm system according to the applicable method (i.e. IC, IIC and IIIC).
• MSC.550(108) – Chapter II-2/G/20. Amended requirements for new and existing roro passenger ships to enhance the fire safety of vehicle spaces, special category spaces and open and closed ro-ro spaces and introduce of new requirements for weather decks intended for carriage of vehicles.
• MSC.550(108) – Chapter V/31 & 32. Reporting procedure relating to the detection, positioning, tracking, and recovery of containers lost at sea.
Download the notice: Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Information Note 37/2024
Download the details of the resolution: IMO resolution MSC.550(108)