Ship safety standards are developed and set, at the international level, by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). They are subsequently implemented and enforced by both national maritime authorities and, under delegated powers, by recognised organisations. European legislation clarifies, and sometimes reinforces, the ship safety standards that have been established by IMO Conventions.
Due to a number of serious vessel casualties that have occurred in recent years, ship safety and especially damage stability is a subject that is currently receiving a high level of attention in national, European and international fora.
EMSA has been participating as part of the European Commission delegation in the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC), previously Subcommittee on Stability and Load Lines and on Fishing Vessel Safety (SLF) in IMO. After a specific request from the European Commission, the agency financed studies on damage stability of Ro-Pax vessels. The first study that was led by Hamburgische Schiffbau-Versuchsanstalt (HSVA) was presented in SLF 52 and the second study, which was conducted by the University of Strathclyde, was officially completed at the end of 2011 and was forwarded to IMO.
