On 7 December IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) completed its landmark 100th session with progress on a number of topics.

These are: (i) a regulatory scoping exercise on maritime autonomous surface ships; (ii) approval of revised guidelines on fatigue and further updates on work on goal-based standards, (iii) polar shipping and (iv) safety issues relating to low-sulphur fuel.

In a special session with invited speakers future technologies and the continued role of the seafarer were discussed. A new IMO safety video was launched, highlighting the wide spectrum of work the MSC has undertaken over 60 years to enhance safety and security at sea, including aspects of navigation, cargoes, ship construction, seafarer training, search and rescue and communications, to name a few examples.

HRH The Princess Royal visited IMO HQ on 5 December (illustrated). She was received by Secretary-General Kitack Lim and addressed the 100th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and took a keen interest in the proceedings as the Committee discussed measures to enhance maritime security particularly with regard to piracy and armed robbery against ships.