The IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 12) has finalized revisions to the Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Methyl/Ethyl Alcohol as Fuel, marking a further step in the development of safety provisions for methanol- and ethanol-fuelled ships.
The session, held from 14 to 18 September 2026, reviewed the existing guidelines in light of operational experience gained since their introduction. The revised text updates all sections of the interim guidelines and is intended to provide a more developed safety framework for vessels using methyl or ethyl alcohol as fuel.
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Among the changes, the revised guidelines allow greater flexibility in the placement of fuel tanks and in arrangements for handling leakages. They also introduce a new approach to ventilating fuel spaces, expand guidance on bunkering-station design and fire extinguishing, and add provisions covering bunkering operations and personal protective equipment.
Operational context
CCC 12 also continued work on interim guidelines for ships using low-flashpoint oil fuels, defined in the discussions as fuels with a flashpoint between 52°C and 60°C. The sub-committee agreed not to pursue detailed provisions for a temperature-controlled engine-room concept. Instead, it will develop a safety concept more closely aligned with existing IGF Code guidelines, while simplifying the safety barriers. A correspondence group will continue the work, with finalization targeted for CCC 13 in 2027.
Work also began on safety guidelines for ships fitted with onboard carbon capture and storage systems. The proposed framework is expected to comprise a technology-neutral main section setting out common ship-level requirements, supported by annexes covering technology-specific safety issues. The work will continue through a correspondence group reporting to CCC 13, with the guidelines expected to be finalized in 2028.
In cargo safety, CCC 12 discussed provisions concerning batteries and agreed in principle on changes to the IMDG Code relating to special provision SP188. The proposed improvement would clarify that multiple individually exempt battery packages carried in the same cargo transport unit would not be subject to hazard communication requirements or a quantity threshold at transport-unit level. The matter was forwarded for further discussion as part of amendment 44-28 to the IMDG Code, which is expected to be adopted in 2028.
The sub-committee also finalized revisions to the guidelines for preparing Cargo Securing Manuals. These include a harmonized performance standard for lashing software to supplement the manual. Although primarily intended for new ships, the revised guidelines include a route for voluntary application on existing vessels, subject to flag-state approval.
CCC 12 additionally prepared a justification for developing a new annex to the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing. The proposed annex would provide a method for assessing the effectiveness of container securing arrangements on containerships. The justification will be submitted to the Maritime Safety Committee for consideration.
As a sub-committee, CCC’s decisions remain subject to further review and approval by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee.