Maritime Safety Committee session continued to develop safety regulatory framework and MASS Code

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met in London from 18 to 27 June 2025 for their 110th session.

The session continued the work on developing a safety regulatory framework for alternative fuels. A dedicated working group discussed, among other things, regulation for nuclear-powered vessels. The Committee aims to create a regulatory framework for alternative fuels and new technologies.

The framework development will continue in the following sub-committees:

• Ship Design and Construction: updating regulation for nuclear-powered vessels
• Carriage of Cargoes and Containers: carbon capture and storage
• Ship Systems and Equipment: energy storage systems.

The Committee continued finalising the regulation on advanced automation, the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code, which will promote the safety and introduction of autonomous ships. The Committee made significant progress, and the goal is to finalise and adopt the code at the next session.

A new working group was established to address maritime cybersecurity regulation. The group proposed that regulation should initially be developed on a voluntary basis. Work on voluntary cybersecurity regulation is expected to continue at the Committee’s next session, provided a new work programme proposal is approved.

Among the new work programme proposals approved by the Committee was one on minimum performance requirements for alternative positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) systems. In the discussion, Finland highlighted disruptions to the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in the Baltic Sea. Finland emphasised that setting minimum performance requirements for alternative PNT systems would improve maritime safety.

The Committee also adopted new requirements for pilot transfer arrangements, which will enter into force on 1 January 2028.

In addition, the Committee encouraged closer cooperation between the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and IMO to protect submarine cables.

Finland seeks re-election to the IMO Council

Finland is a member of the IMO Council for the 2024–2025 term and is seeking re-election for 2026–2027. Permanent Secretary Minna Kivimäki travelled to London for the Maritime Safety Committee session to promote Finland’s candidacy. In connection with the session, Finland and Wärtsilä co-hosted a presentation on training people in the safe use of sustainable marine fuels.

Finland also organised a midsummer-themed reception to highlight its IMO priorities. In addition, Permanent Secretary Kivimäki held bilateral meetings with representatives of several IMO Member States.

Finland aims to continue promoting effective, transparent and inclusive regulation at the IMO. If re-elected to the Council, Finland will particularly advocate for the voice of maritime educators and the next generation of seafarers.

What’s next?

The Maritime Safety Committee will meet again in May 2026.

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom will organise an information session on 3 November 2025 to present the new requirements, including those on pilot transfer arrangements.

Inquiries:

Alex Piispanen, Senior Officer, tel. +358 295 342 182, [email protected]