Jan. 23 2026 Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee 12th Session (SDC 12) SUMMARY REPORT Home Class & statutory Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee 12th Session (SDC 12) SUMMARY REPORT LinkedIn Twitter Facebook share Convention 2011 ESP Code FSS Code FTP Code MODU Code SOLAS CH II-1 Machinery, Electricity, Stability SOLAS CH II-2 Fire SOLAS CH V Safety of Navigation SOLAS CH VIII SPS Code Special Purpose Ships Flag ALL FLAGS Ship typeAll Sea going Ship types The twelfth session of IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 12) was held in person from the 19th to the 23rd of January 2026, with hybrid facilities allowing remote participation.SDC 12 agreed on:draft amendments to the 2011 ESP Code, with a view to approval in principle by MSC 111, formal approval by MSC 113 and adoption by MSC 114, as appropriate;draft guidelines on the use of Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) with a view to adoption by MSC 111, in conjunction with the adoption of the draft amendments to the 2011 ESP Code to allow the use of RIT in ESP Code surveys;draft amendments to the Technical provisions for means of access for inspections (res. MSC.133(76)) with a view to approval by MSC 111 and adoption by MSC 112;draft Explanatory Notes for safe return to port and orderly evacuation and abandonment after a fire or flooding casualty with a view to approval by MSC 111;draft amendments to chapter 6 of the 2009 MODU Code with a view to adoption by MSC 111;draft revised Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Guidelines (use of FRP elements within ship structures and the fire-testing method for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing elements) with a view to adoption by MSC 111;two-year extension of the Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) Experience Building Phase (EBP) with a consequent target completion year 2028 as well as draft technical guidance on co-optimizing energy efficiency and underwater radiated noise at the design and retrofit stage with a view to approval by MEPC 84.SDC 12 established:a correspondence group to implement the work plan according to the terms of reference proposed to develop the safety regulatory framework concerning the lithium-ion batteries used as the main source of electrical power and lighting systems (amending SOLAS II-1/41), the interim guidelines for wind propulsion and the revision of SOLAS VIII & Nuclear Code (see the workplan);a correspondence group to develop the performance standard for engine control room alarm management ECRAM.SDC 12 decided not to amend SOLAS II-2/13.4.1.1 and 13.4.2.1 as regards means of escape and requested the revocation of MSC.1/Circ.1689. Issues related to PSC are to be discussed within the Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III). Read our SDC 12 Summary Report Download