IMO to Review MSDS Regulations After IBIA Intervention

THE International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has presented a paper to IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) advising that current proposals relating to the mandatory supply and carriage of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in connection with MARPOL Annex 1 cargoes and marine fuel oils are severely flawed and unworkable. And the Maritime Safety Committee, at the MSC82 meeting in Istanbul in early December, has agreed to “take into account” IBIA’s comments when adopting a draft resolution, covering MSDS, to SOLAS regulation V1/5-1.

IBIA did not object at MSC82 to the current proposal being sent to the eleventh meeting of the MSC’s Bulk Liquids & Gases (BLG) subcommittee for review and subsequent presentation to MSC83 for adoption. “This strategy was agreed,” says Gregory, “to ensure that the safety benefits of the proposals are realised as soon as possible, for the benefit of all seafarers.