Enclosed spaces aboard ships—such as cargo holds, ballast tanks, cofferdams, double bottoms, and duct keels—are routinely cited as major causes of fatalities in the maritime sector. The atmosphere within these spaces can rapidly become lethal due to a host of hidden hazards, most critically: oxygen depletion (often caused by oxidation, rust, or biological activity), oxygen enrichment, or the presence of toxic (e.g., hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide) or flammable gases. Tragically, a large percentage of these accidents involve not the original entrant, but the subsequent rescuers who attempt to retrieve the initial casualty without following proper safety protocols, highlighting the paramount need for stringent, updated procedures. The IMO's revision of these recommendations is a direct response to the continued, preventable loss of life that results from these dangerous environments.
IMO update
The maritime industry is on the cusp of a significant safety overhaul following the adoption of Resolution MSC.581(110) – REVISED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENTERING ENCLOSED SPACES ABOARD SHIPS. Approved by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) on June 27, 2025, this new resolution marks a comprehensive revision of procedures, superseding the longstanding Resolution A.1050(27).
Full advisory at the following link.
https://maritimecyprus.com/2025/11/18/imo-major-update-to-enclosed-space-entry-recommendations/