IMO CCC 12: Safe use of alternative fuels at the top of the agenda

September 15 ------ The IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) will meet for its 12th session (CCC 12) at IMO Headquarters in London from 14-18 September 2026, to address issues relating to the safe carriage of cargoes, dangerous goods and containers, as well as the use of alternative fuels and related technologies.

According to the IMO, key highlights from CCC 12 will include further work on the development of safety provisions for alternative fuels and new technologies, amendments to the IMSBC and IMDG Codes, and the development of a harmonized performance standard for lashing software.

Opening the session, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez expressed concern over recent maritime casualties and attacks affecting merchant ships and seafarers in several regions. Dominguez said the IMO was “deeply saddened” by the ferry fire involving MV June Aster near Coron, Palawan, Philippines, on 9 September, which has claimed 76 lives, with 13 people still unaccounted for. He also referred to the capsizing of Virgo Transport 8 in the Java Sea on 13 September, which has claimed at least six lives, with 129 people still missing.

He further highlighted the deteriorating maritime security situation in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, the Red Sea, and off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, noting that several attacks over the weekend had resulted in seafarer fatalities and injuries. "Shipowners, operators and flag States must conduct realistic and thorough risk assessments before sending vessels through these regions to avoid placing seafarers at significant additional risk," Dominguez said.

He called for greater action by IMO Member States to support peaceful and practical solutions to the various crises, with full respect for freedom of navigation and established international law. “From my point of view, no country has any excuse to attack any merchant vessel or any innocent seafarer,” Dominguez said, highlighting the “significant negative effect” of such incidents on seafarers serving onboard merchant ships.

Development of guidelines for alternative fuels and related technologies

Turning to the work of CCC 12, Dominguez highlighted the Sub-Committee’s expected progress on safety provisions for alternative fuels and new technologies.

Following the outcome of the previous week’s Intersessional Working Group on the Development of Technical Provisions for Safety of Ships Using Alternative Fuels, CCC 12 is expected to finalize the revision of the Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel. The Sub-Committee is also expected to further develop, toward finalization, draft interim guidelines for ships using low-flashpoint oil fuels.

In addition, CCC 12 will begin consideration of new interim guidelines covering the safety of ships using onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) systems. Dominguez described this work as vital given the need for the maritime industry to deploy alternative fuels and related technologies to support the energy transition of the global fleet.

According to the IMO, CCC 12 will also continue work on the development of technical provisions and a safety regulatory framework supporting the reduction of GHG emissions from ships using new technologies and alternative fuels.

Amendments to the IMSBC and IMDG Codes

CCC 12 will consider amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code and its supplements. The IMSBC Code establishes mandatory requirements for the safe carriage of solid bulk cargoes, covering areas including cargo classification, loading, carriage, handling and precautions against cargo-related hazards.

The Sub-Committee will also consider amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and its supplements, which establish requirements for the safe transport of packaged dangerous goods by sea, including classification, packing, marking, labelling, documentation, stowage and segregation. CCC 12 will continue work on proposed amendments, with a working group addressing relevant issues during the session.

Harmonized standard for lashing software

Another key task will be the revision of the Revised guidelines for the preparation of the Cargo Securing Manual (MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2). The revision aims to introduce a harmonized performance standard for lashing software, allowing such software to be used as a supplement to the Cargo Securing Manual. Dominguez said the Sub-Committee was expected to finalize this work during CCC 12.

Dangerous goods incidents and unified interpretations

The Sub-Committee will consider reports of incidents involving dangerous goods or marine pollutants in packaged form onboard ships or in port areas, with the aim of identifying lessons and safety issues arising from their handling and transport. CCC 12 will also consider unified interpretations of provisions of IMO conventions relating to safety, security, environmental protection, facilitation, and liability and compensation.

Working groups and next steps

Three working groups are proposed during CCC 12, covering:

• Development of guidelines for alternative fuels and related technologies.

• Development of a safety regulatory framework to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships using new technologies and alternative fuels.

• Revision of the Cargo Securing Manual guidelines to include a harmonized performance standard for lashing software.

The groups may begin work on the first day of the session, subject to formal discussion of their terms of reference. The Sub-Committee will also consider its biennial status report and the provisional agenda for CCC 13, elect its Chair and Vice-Chair for 2027, and address other business before preparing its report for the relevant IMO Committees.

Dominguez said he was confident that CCC 12 would make progress under the leadership of Chair David Anderson of Australia, supported by Vice-Chair Christian Allgeier of Germany.

Source: safety4sea.com