A busy agenda was worked through by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee at its 90th session, 16 to 25 May 2012

Interim guidance for private maritime security companies (PMSCs) was agreed by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), when it met at the Organization's London Headquarters for its 90th session from 16 to 25 May 2012.

The MSC also adopted a resolution recommending operational measures aimed at enhancing the safety of large cruise passenger ships, as well as a work plan to address passenger ship safety matters, in the wake of the Costa Concordia incident in January.

The busy agenda further saw the adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and adoption and approval of other guidelines, codes and circulars, submitted by the IMO Sub-Committees.

The MSC agreed Interim Guidance to private maritime security companies (PMSC) providing privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) aboard vessels transiting the high-risk area off the east coast of Africa.  (See Briefing 17/2012 )
Passenger ship safety

The MSC agreed that a number of operational measures should be implemented immediately, on a voluntary basis, prior to the adoption of any measures following the analysis of the official marine investigation report into the loss of the Costa Concordia (see Briefing 18/2012 ).

A comprehensive report from IMO on the proceedings is available here.