In force: 1 July 2024. SOLAS Chapter XV and the International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code) make safety measures mandatory for ships carrying offshore workers. They close a long-standing gap: offshore technicians were neither crew nor passengers under the old rules.
Why Chapter XV exists
The offshore sector — wind farms, oil and gas, construction — routinely moves technicians to and from installations. Chapter XV addresses the particular risks of carrying and transferring these people at sea.
Who does it apply to?
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Ship type | Cargo ships and high-speed cargo craft |
| Size | 500 GT and upwards |
| Voyage | International voyages |
| Persons carried | More than 12 industrial personnel |
| Smaller / coastal ships | Administrations are encouraged to apply the Code |
Industrial personnel (IP): people carried for offshore industrial work (for example exploration or production) who do not work on board the ship itself.
The IP Code
The Code adds to existing IMO rules such as SOLAS and the HSC Code. It covers the extra risks of carrying and transferring industrial personnel.
| Part | Content |
|---|---|
| Part I — General | Terms, surveys and certification |
| Part II — Goals and functional requirements | Nine areas of design and operation, including personnel safety, machinery installations, fire safety and life-saving appliances |
| Part III — Regulations | Qualifications of industrial personnel and transfer procedures |
| Parts IV and V | Extra rules for cargo ships (SOLAS Ch. I) and high-speed cargo craft (SOLAS Ch. X) |
Key features
- Goal-based approach: designs can differ, but the safety standard stays the same.
- Medical fitness and training for industrial personnel.
- Safe transfer processes and equipment handling.
- Fire safety and dangerous goods compliance.
Implementation timeline
- New ships (built on or after 1 July 2024) must fully comply with SOLAS Chapter XV and the IP Code. They receive an Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate with a Record of Equipment (Form IP).
- Existing ships already authorised before 1 July 2024 get a grace period. They must meet selected IP Code regulations by their next survey.
- Existing ships not authorised before that date must fully comply before carrying more than 12 industrial personnel.
- Non-convention ships (<500 GT): Administrations may apply the Code's goals where practicable and issue certificates if the ship complies.
Actions for shipowners and masters
- Confirm the ship complies with SOLAS Chapter XV and the IP Code.
- For existing ships carrying IP, ask the flag Administration whether the grace period applies.
- Plan any upgrades and certification for the next survey.
- Make sure IP arrive trained and medically fit, and brief them on the ship's transfer procedures.
Source: ABS Regulatory News — SOLAS Chapter XV / IP Code. This is a big step forward for safety in offshore industrial work.
Source document
This article is based on the official ABS Regulatory News bulletin. Download the original ABS Regulatory News PDF — SOLAS Chapter XV & IP Code (PDF, 282 KB).