(www.MaritimeCyprus.com)Â The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is moving forward with significant updates to the regulatory framework governing gas carriers. Following approval at the 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111), major amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) are on track for adoption in December 2026, with an expected entry-into-force date of 1 July 2028.
The regulatory update directly impacts shipowners, ship operators, ship managers, and ship masters.
Key Takeaways
Broad Technical Overhaul: The updates clarify the "one ship, one code" principle regarding alternative fuels on gas carriers. They also introduce provisions for the carriage of CO2 cargoes, the use of LPG, ethane, and toxic cargoes as fuel, finite element analysis for type C tanks, cargo tank filling limits, and emergency shutdown (ESD) causes and effects matrices.
The "New Ship" Criteria: While the amendments apply to both existing and new vessels as appropriate, design or construction changes apply strictly to "new ships". A three-date application system defines a new ship as one meeting any of the following:
Building contract placed on or after 1 July 2028.
Keel laid (or similar construction stage) on or after 1 January 2029.
Delivery on or after 1 July 2032.
Updated Certificates of Fitness: Revision forms for the International Certificate of Fitness will reflect the new three-date system. MSC 111 confirmed that only products explicitly listed in Chapter 19 of the IGC Code may be included in the revised certificate table as cargo or fuel.
Phase-out of Unified Interpretations: For new ships constructed on or after 1 July 2028, a total of nine existing IMO unified interpretations (including MSC.1/Circ.1543 and MSC.1/Circ.1679) will no longer apply, though they remain active for existing vessels.
Next Steps for Industry Stakeholders
To aid compliance, Lloyd's Register has released a comprehensive summary report outlining the exact impact of these amendments on existing and new builds. Operators and technical managers are encouraged to review these changes early to adapt upcoming design pipelines and operational checklists before the mid-2028 enforcement date.
Download below the relevant guide from LR:
Source: IMO
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