On 1 January 2012, IMO Resolution MSC.290(87) of 21 May 2010 introducing amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS 1974, entered into force.

The amendments (new Regulation 3-10 in Chapter II-1) concern the use of Goal Based Ship Construction Standards for newly constructed bulk carriers and oil tankers of 150 m in length and above.

According to new principles, the ships shall be so designed and constructed for a specified design life to be safe and environmentally friendly, when properly operated and maintained under the specified operating and environmental conditions, in intact and specified damage conditions, throughout their life.

The new construction standards shall apply to ships for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 July 2016 or the keels of which are laid on or after 1 July 2017, or those the delivery of which is on or after 1 July 2020.

Adoption of the amendments obliges the Recognized Classification Societies to verify their class rules and to make them complying with adopted standards, and subsequently to send them to IMO for verification audit performed by a group of independent IMO appointed experts.

Polski Rejestr Statków has made self-assessment of its own Rules and found that they fulfil the IMO required standards (so called IACS Common Structural Rules constitute principal part of our Rules). In December 2013, PRS Rules were sent to IMO for verification. Respective IMO opinion is expected to be prepared until the end of 2014 and the report on activities of verifying experts will be transferred to IMO MSC 95 session for approval in the middle of 2015.

From the above dates on, the newly constructed ships, being granted safety certificates in accordance with SOLAS Convention, shall be constructed based exclusively on the requirements of the Recognized Classification Societies having IMO verified and approved Rules.

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