New ships

Newbuilding projects for which the carriage of more than 12 industrial personnel is relevant should plan for compliance with the new IP Code.

All ships to which the IP Code applies shall have on board an Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate.

Application

Expand the blue ribbon “Application” below, for the exact text in the new SOLAS Ch. XV Reg. 3 Application.

Ref. Reg. 3.1, the IP Code applies to all cargo ships and to high-speed cargo craft

• of 500 gross tonnage and upwards, and which
• will carry more than a total of 12 industrial personnel, special personnel and passengers combined
• constructed on or after 1 July 2024 *

* However, Regulation 3.4 concludes that the IP Code applies to all ships, irrespective construction date, unless the ship has been authorized by the Administration before 1 July 2024, to carry more than 12 industrial personnel. Consequently (it is our understanding) that a ship under construction (keel laid also before 1 July 2024) and not delivered by 1 July 2024, will need to comply and be certified in accordance with the IP Code, if intending to carry industrial personnel. (We do not expect an Administration to authorize a ship in accordance with Reg. 3.2 and 3.3 if the ship is not already in operation.)

In other words, if you will operate with more than 12 IP, the ship will need an IP certificate, and there are in principle two ways to obtain it;

1. Through full compliance, which will be relevant for ships which are not in operation and authorized by 1 July 2024. (We do not expect an Administration to authorize a ship in accordance with Reg. 3.2 and 3.3 if the ship is not already in operation.)
2. Through grandfathering, which will be relevant for ships in operation (see this section ) if grandfathering provisions have been adopted by the flag, and the ship is authorized to carry industrial personnel prior to 1 July 2024, in accordance with Reg. 3.2 and 3.3.