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Effective family planning key to national development – stakeholdersLennar Debuts New Model Homes in Cape Coral, FL with No HOA FeesThe 109th session of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109) was held from 2 to 6 December 2024. Amendments to the IGC Code to enable the use of ammonia cargo as fuel were adopted, and interim guidelines for the general use of ammonia as fuel were approved. The IGF Code was amended to improve the safety of ships using natural gas as fuel. MSC 109 further approved draft SOLAS amendments to enhance the safety of pilot transfer arrangements and progress was made on the new safety code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships •Adopted amendments to the IGC Code to enable the use of ammonia cargo as fuel •Adopted amendments to the IGF Code for ships using natural gas as fuel •Approved draft interim guidelines for ammonia as fuel •Approved draft amendments to SOLAS Regulation V/23 and the related performance standards to improve the safety of pilot transfer arrangements •Advanced the non-mandatory Code on Maritime Autono- mous Surface Ships (MASS) Amendments to mandatory instruments Ammonia cargo as fuel (IGC Code) MSC 109 adopted amendments to Paragraph 16.9.2 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) to enable the use of ammonia as fuel on ammonia carriers. An MSC circular to encourage the voluntary early implemen- tation of the amendments to Chapter 16 was approved. The amendments will enter into force on 1 July 2026. Safety of ships using natural gas as fuel (IGF Code) MSC 109 adopted amendments to the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), based on experience with the code since its entry into force in 2017. The amendments include: •Clarified application provisions •Alignment with the IGC Code on suction wells for fuel tanks extending below the lowermost boundary of the tank •Alignment with the IGC Code on discharge from pressure relief valves to discharge to tanks under certain conditions •Clarified requirements to fire insulation for deck structures in relation to fuel tanks on open deck •Clarified requirements for hazardous ducts through non- hazardous spaces and vice versa •Updated requirements for the hazardous zone radius for fuel tank vent mast outlets, increasing to 6 metres for zone 1 and 4 metres for zone 2 The amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2028. Goal-based new ship construction standards Goal-based standards (GBS) for the new construction of bulk carriers and oil tankers are, conceptually, the IMO’s rules for class rules. Under the GBS, IMO auditors use guidelines to verify the construction rules for bulk carriers and oil tankers of class societies acting as Recognized Organizations (Resolu- tion MSC.454(100)). Initial GBS verification of Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia (BKI) BKI has requested GBS verification of their ship construction rules for bulk carries and oil tankers. MSC 109 agreed that the BKI rules comply with the GBS, provided non-conformities and observations are rectified and verified in a new audit. North Atlantic wave data (IACS Recommendation No. 34, Revision 2) MSC 109 noted that IACS is currently undertaking a review of its Common Structural Rules (CSR) for bulk carriers and oil tankers to reflect advances in data, materials, technologies and calculation methodologies. The CSR are implemented in the individual class rules of the IACS members, which are subject to compliance with the GBS. MSC 109 further noted that IACS has now issued a revision of the North Atlantic wave data to ensure more scientific data as a basis for the rule formulas in the CSR. The new scatter diagram in Revision 2 of IACS Recommendation No. 34 shows the probability of occurrence of different sea states and is based on wave data from advanced hindcast wave models combined with ships’ AIS data for all SOLAS vessels in the period from 2013 to 2020. MSC 109 agreed that an observation from the initial CSR audit in 2015, that the scatter diagram in Revision 1 of IACS Recommendation No. 34 was based on past statistics, was now considered addressed. MSC 109 further invited IACS to provide more information about the assumptions, modelling and technical background for Revision 2 of IACS Recommendation No. 34, and agreed that the GBS audit of the revision to follow should be carried out in conjunction with the consequential rule changes in the CSR. Maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) The prospect of autonomous ships operating internationally with little or no human intervention has revealed the need for a regulatory framework for such ships, including their interac- tion and co-existence with conventional manned ships. The current regulatory framework generally assumes man- ning and human intervention. The IMO has agreed to develop a non-mandatory, goal-based code for cargo MASS, poten- tially entering into force as a mandatory code upon expe- rience with its application. The purpose of the code is to provide a framework to address both the remote control and the autonomous operation of key functions. The non-mandatory MASS Code is planned to be finalized by 2026, followed by an experience-building phase after its adoption. A mandatory code is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2032, at the earliest. MSC 109 finalized the chapters of the MASS Code on risk assessment, remote operations and connectivity. The chap- ters on remote operation and connectivity will apply depend- ing on the mode of operation and the functionality being applied, which, for example, would open for a manned MASS with a periodically unmanned bridge, without the support of a remote operation centre. The search and rescue obligations of a MASS to assist per- sons in distress were considered, but not concluded. The non-mandatory MASS Code will be progressed in a Cor- respondence Group until MSC 110 (June 2025 New technologies and alternative fuels Identification of gaps in current IMO instruments MSC 109 continued its consideration of potential alternative fuels and new technologies to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships from a safety perspective. The intention is to identify safety obstacles, barriers and gaps in the current IMO instruments that may impede the use of the various alter- native fuels and new technologies. MSC 109 agreed to add “swappable traction lithium-ion battery containers” to the list of alternative fuels and new technologies. The list already includes fuels and technolo- gies such as ammonia, hydrogen, fuel cell power installations, nuclear power, solar power, wind power, lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitor energy storage technology. Recommendations to address each of the identified barriers and gaps in the IMO regulatory framework will be considered in a Correspondence Group until MSC 110 (June 2025). Application of the IGF Code MSC 109 agreed on draft amendments to SOLAS to clarify that the IGF Code applies to ships using gaseous fuels, whether they are low-flashpoint or not. The term “gaseous fuels” was added to the definitions in SOLAS Regulation II-1/2 and to the application provisions of SOLAS Regulations II-1/56 and 57. The draft amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2027, subject to adoption by MSC 110 (June 2025). Maritime cyber risk management MSC 109 recognized the importance of cybersecurity stand- ards for ships and port facilities, and invited for proposals on the next steps to enhance maritime cyber security. Formal safety assessment MSC 109 agreed to draft modifications to the Revised FSA Guidelines (MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.12/Rev.2). The draft modifi- cations include an updated threshold for the cost–benefit assessment and improved guidance for the ranking of cost- efficient risk control options. In addition, the guidelines have been editorially reviewed to increase clarity and take into account experience gained. Ship systems and equipment Life jacket requirements in the High Speed Craft Codes MSC 109 approved draft amendments to Paragraph 8.3.5 of Annex 1 of the 1994 and 2000 High Speed Craft (HSC) Codes to harmonize the life jacket carriage requirements in the codes with the corresponding requirements in SOLAS Chapter III with respect to the number of infant life jackets and accessories to adult life jackets to accommodate large persons. The draft amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2028, subject to adoption by MSC 110 (June 2025). Maintenance of inflated rescue boats MSC 109 approved a Unified Interpretation of SOLAS Regu- lations III/20.8.4 and 20.11, and of Resolution MSC.402(96), to clarify that the requirements for the maintenance, thor- ough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of rescue boats apply to all rescue boats, whether inflated or rigid. Arrangement of gas-freeing piping/ducts on tankers MSC 109 approved a Unified Interpretation of SOLAS Regula- tion II-2/4.5.6.1 and Paragraphs 3.1.2, 3.1.4 and 3.5.3 of the IBC Code to facilitate the consistent implementation of the requirements to prevent the release of inflammable vapours into non-hazardous closed spaces. Crowns and casings of machinery spaces of category A MSC 109 approved a Unified Interpretation of SOLAS Regula- tion II-2/11.4.1 to clarify the term “crown” in machinery spaces of category A. The UI clarifies that the “crown” means the under- side of the deck and the uppermost horizontal part of the main space of the machinery space, with exemplary sketches. Secondary means of venting cargo tanks of tankers MSC 109 approved a draft Unified Interpretation of SOLAS Regulations II-2/4.5.3.2.2 and 11.6.3.2 to clarify the pressure alarm settings for ships that apply pressure sensors in each tank as an alternative to having a secondary means of venting. Reliability of essential propulsion components MSC 109 approved a draft Unified Interpretation of SOLAS Regulation II-1/26.2 to clarify its application to dual winding electric propulsion motors for passenger ships. The draft Unified Interpretation addresses the risk of a non-repairable single failure in an electric propulsion motor. Average mass of a person during lifeboat testing MSC 109 approved a revision of Part 1 of Resolution MSC.81(70) on the testing of life-saving appliances and the test report forms in MSC.1/Circ.1630/Rev.2 to reflect that the average mass of a person should be 75 kilograms for life- boats intended for passenger ships and 82.5 kilograms for lifeboats intended for cargo ships. Retro-reflective materials on life-saving appliances MSC 109 approved, as a minor corrections draft, consequen- tial amendments to the Revised Standardized Life-Saving Appliance and Test Report Forms MSC.1/Circ.1628/Rev.2 (personal LSA), MSC.1/Circ.1630/Rev.2 (survival craft) and MSC.1/Circ.1632 (launching and embarkation appliances) to replace the reference to Resolution A658(16) with a reference to Resolution MSC.481(102) to reflect the most recent recom- mendation on the use and fitting of retro-reflective materials on life-saving appliances. In addition, some minor details were added to MSC.1/ Circ.1630/Rev.2 (survival crafts) and MSC.1/Circ.1631 (rescue boats). Pressure-vacuum valves on cargo tanks in tankers MSC 109 approved draft amendments to the “Revised Standards for the Design, Testing and Locating of Devices to Prevent the Passage of Flame into Cargo Tanks in Tankers” (MSC.1/Circ.677/Rev.1) to reference the 2021 edition of the ISO standard 15364, introducing a maximum leakage rate from pressure-vacuum valves. The circular will apply to devices installed on or after 6 December 2026. Minor correction to MSC.1/Circ.1276/Rev.1 MSC 109 approved draft amendments to MSC.1/Circ.1276/Rev.1 on Unified Interpretations to SOLAS Chapter II-2 to replace the reference to SOLAS Regulation II-2/9.7.5 with a reference to SOLAS Regulation II-2/9.7.5.1 to clarify that the Unified Interpre- tation related to exhaust ducts from galley ranges was intended for passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers. Correction of references to structural fire protection tables MSC 109 approved a correction of two references in SOLAS Regulation II-2/11 to refer to the correct fire integrity tables in SOLAS Regulation II-2/9. The amendments are expected to take effect on 1 January 2028. Navigation, communications, search and rescue – check repo Digital navigational data system (NAVDAT) MSC 109 adopted performance standards for the NAVDAT system and amendments to Resolution MSC.509(105) on “Provision of radio services for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)”. NAVDAT is intended for broadcasting digital data, includ- ing maritime safety information (MSI) and search and rescue (SAR)-related information on medium frequency (MF) and high frequency (HF) bands from shore to ships. Mobile satellite communication services in the GMDSS MSC 109 approved a revision of the “Criteria for the provi- sion of mobile satellite communication systems in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)” (Resolution A.1001(25)) based on experience gained when open for multiple recognized mobile satellite providers in the GMDSS. The new resolution will cover both new and already approved GMDSS Mobile Satellite Service providers. The resolution is expected to be adopted by the Assembly in December 2025 and enter into force immediately thereafter. Safety of pilot transfer arrangements MSC 109 approved a draft revision of SOLAS Regulation V/23 and associated performance standards for pilot transfer arrangements. The intention is to ensure safe arrangements for pilots and other personnel embarking and disembarking ships in all conditions of draught and trim. The draft amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2028, subject to adoption by MSC 110 (June 2025). The requirements will be applied retroactively. A draft MSC circular open for voluntarily early implementa- tion of the amendments was approved. Improvement of security and integrity aspects of AIS MSC 109 approved a revision of the performance stand- ards for the shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS) (Resolution MSC.74(69)) to prevent the unauthorized entry or tampering of a ship’s identity information in the AIS. Validity of radiocommunications equipment MSC 109 approved a revision of MSC.1/Circ.1460/Rev.4 to clarify that: •The mandatory VHF/DSC equipment required by SOLAS Regulation IV/7 on radio equipment (including the required duplicated equipment for maintenance purposes) should comply with the latest channel arrangements in Appendix 18 of the Radio Regulations by the first radio survey sched- uled on or after 1 January 2028, or earlier. •Ships should always be able to communicate with shore facilities in their area of operation, noting that some admin- istrations may already have implemented the new channels. Carriage of cargoes and containers Ammonia as fuel MSC 109 approved draft interim guidelines for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel. Ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk (IGC Code) MSC approved draft amendments to the IGC Code to incor- porate the large number of Unified Interpretations developed since the latest major review of the code, which entered into force in 2016. The primary objective of the draft amendments is to remove ambiguity and promote the consistent imple- mentation of the IGC Code requirements. Implementation of IMO instruments Lessons learned and analysis of marine safety investigation reports MSC 109 approved a MSC circular to recommend that national administrations expand requirements for carriage of AIS and VHF for the domestic fishing fleet to prevent collisions. Guidance on implementation of Cape Town Agreement MSC 109 approved interim guidance to support implementa- tion of the Cape Town Agreement. The Cape Town Agreement (CTA) sets minimum require- ments on the design, construction, equipment, surveys and certification of fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over, or equivalent in gross tonnes. The agreement has now been ratified by 22 states, with a combined fleet of about 2,600 fishing vessels. The number of states is sufficient, but a com- bined fleet of 3,600 fishing vessels is needed. Work programme MSC 109 agreed on the following new work items: Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications, Search and Rescue Very high frequency (VHF) voice communications MSC 109 agreed to the development of a transition scheme for the the introduction of digital technology for VHF voice communications. S-100 Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) MSC 109 agreed to the development of guidance to establish a framework for data distribution and global IP-based con- nectivity between shore-based facilities and ships for ECDIS S-100 products. Any other business Maintenance of radiocommunication equipment MSC 109 recalled that the modernization of the GMDSS requirements in SOLAS Chapter IV was not intended to bring substantive changes to the radio installations on existing ships. MSC 109 confirmed that for operating in sea area A3, a single MF/HF radio installation is accepted as a means to comply with the requirements of a primary MF radio installation and a duplicated MF/HF radio installation simultaneously. Footnote 6 of COMSAR.1/Circ.43/Rev.2 was amended to reflect this confirmation. Recommendations DNV recommends customers note that MSC 108 was the last session to adopt amendments to the 2026 update of SOLAS and related mandatory codes. The MSC is now working on updates of SOLAS and related mandatory codes, which will enter into force on 1 January 2028 and beyond. Amendments to the 2028 update must be adopted before 1 July 2026. DNV further recommends that customers monitor the out- come of MSC 110 in June 2025. Source:DNV,
Techwave opens new global delivery centre and AI engineering hub in HyderabadShare Tweet Share Share Email December 19, 2024 – Roam, the leader of decentralized global open wireless network, announced a major milestone today: the Roam Network has surpassed 1 million active WiFi nodes , supported by over 1.7 million registered users across 190+ countries and regions . This achievement highlights Roam’s continued success in delivering innovative solutions to create a free,secure and seamless network . At its inception in 2021, Roam identified the challenges faced by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) in scaling OpenRoamingTM globally. By integrating Web3 technologies , including Decentralized Identifiers (DID) and Verifiable Credentials (VC) , Roam has fostered community-driven growth and secured its position as a pioneer in the DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) sector. 2025 Roadmap: Accelerating Innovation Across Products, Technology, and Ecosystem Roam also unveiled its ambitious 2025 roadmap , outlining 11 key updates spanning product ,technology and community ecosystem growth. Product Updates Roam will roll out four major product launches: Q1: Roam Loan – A groundbreaking initiative in partnership with Huma Finance , enabling users to acquire mining hardware with low/none upfront costs. Payments are seamlessly deducted from mining rewards, ensuring a user-friendly “Buy Now, Pay Later” experience. Q2: Roam Growth – Enhancements to the Roam Growth platform, introducing a sustainable framework to maximize user rewards and upgrade the existing product suite. Q3: Roam App 2.0 – A revamped app delivering a richer, more interactive user experience with expanded connectivity features. Q4: Roam Innovator Hub – A comprehensive platform offering APIs , SDKs , and grants to empower developers to build and innovate within the Roam ecosystem. Technological Advancements Roam’s technology roadmap emphasizes seamless integration and performance: Proof of Presence Protocol (Q1) – Real-time validation and verification of local interactions within the Roam Network. Router OS Updates & Next-Gen WiFi Miners (Q3) – Launch of new WiFi mining devices, including third-party certified hardware and OpenRoamingTM-enabled community devices. Fully Converged Wireless Network (Q4) – Integration of WiFi and cellular data networks to enable seamless, uninterrupted global roaming. Community Ecosystem Expansion To strengthen its global user base, Roam will introduce: Roam eSIM Long-Term Plan (Q1) – An industry-first eSIM offering with no expiration, no binding commitments, and no monthly fees, providing ultimate convenience for users worldwide. Roam Discovery Program (H1) – A suite of initiatives, including Discovery Pool , Discovery IMPACT , and the Discovery Incubator , designed to attract industry leaders, investors, and innovators. Community DAO Governance (H2) – A decentralized governance framework that empowers users to participate actively in shaping the Roam Network’s future. A Year of Strategic Growth and Recognition Roam’s commitment to steady, incremental progress has driven its exceptional growth. In 2023, Roam secured $5 million in strategic funding , led by Anagram and Volt Capital , with participation from Comma3 Ventures , ECMC Group , and continued support from early investors Synergis and SNZ . In April 2024 Samsung Next made a notable investment in Roam, which also made it the only investment from Samsung Next in this sector since DePIN had been defined by Messari. This year, Roam’s hardware node count maintained its leadership position on DePINscan , and the network’s expansion to over 1 million nodes underscores its effectiveness in bridging Web3 innovation with real-world connectivity solutions. Building the Future of Global Connectivity As Roam looks ahead to 2025, the team remains steadfast in its mission to provide secure, seamless, and accessible global connectivity. With a user base spanning over 190 countries, Roam continues to transform WiFi and cellular networks, empowering communities and developers to create sustainable digital economies. Roam’s journey from 0 to 1 million nodes reflects their commitment to building a truly decentralized global network. The 2025 Roadmap marks the next phase of growth, delivering cutting-edge products, breakthrough technologies, and a thriving ecosystem to meet the evolving needs of the users worldwide. About Roam Roam is a DePIN open wireless network engaging OpenRoaming & eSIM technologies to create a free, secure & seamless decentralized global network . With over 1.7 million users in 190+ countries, Roam is dedicated to creating innovative products and tools that empower communities, developers, and the ecosystem. Related Items: decentralized global network , Roam Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Roam Ranks #1 on DePINscan, Paving the Way for DePIN’s Future Roam Revolutionizes Travel Connectivity: A Milestone of 1 Million Users Roam Telecom Data Layer: A Revolutionary Ecosystem Uniting People, Devices, and Data CommentsBy Matt O’Brien | Associated Press CLONDALKIN, Ireland — Dozens of massive data centers humming at the outskirts of Dublin are consuming more electricity than all of the urban homes in Ireland and starting to wear out the warm welcome that brought them here. Now, a country that made itself a computing factory for Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and TikTok is wondering whether it was all worth it as tech giants look around the world to build even more data centers to fuel the next wave of artificial intelligence. Fears of rolling blackouts led Ireland’s grid operator to halt new data centers near Dublin until 2028. These huge buildings and their powerful computers last year consumed 21% of the nation’s electricity , according to official records. No other country has reported a higher burden to the International Energy Agency. Not only that, but Ireland is still heavily reliant on burning fossil fuels to generate electricity, despite a growing number of wind farms sprouting across the countryside. Further data center expansion threatens Ireland’s goals to sharply cut planet-warming emissions. Ireland is a “microcosm of what many countries could be facing over the next decade, particularly with the growth of AI ,” said energy researcher Paul Deane of University College Cork. Dublin’s data center limits Twenty-six-year-old activist Darragh Adelaide lives in a working-class Dublin suburb just across a busy motorway from Grange Castle Business Park, one of Ireland’s biggest data center clusters. It could get even bigger were Adelaide not a thorn in the side of Google’s expansion plans. “It’s kind of an outrageous number of data centers,” Adelaide said. “People have started to make the connection between the amount of electricity they’re using and electricity prices going up.” Ireland has attracted global tech companies since the “Celtic Tiger” boom at the turn of the 21st century. Tax incentives, a highly skilled, English-speaking workforce and the country’s membership in the European Union have all contributed to making the tech sector a central part of the Irish economy . The island is also a node for undersea cables that extend to the U.S., Britain, Iceland and mainland Europe. Nearly all of the data centers sit on the edge of Dublin, where their proximity to the capital city facilitates online financial transactions and other activities that require fast connections. Data center computers run hot, but compared to other parts of the world, Ireland’s cool temperatures make it easier to keep them from overheating without drawing in as much water. Still, buildings that for years went mostly unnoticed have attracted unwanted attention as their power demands surged while Irish householders pay some of Europe’s highest electricity bills. Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency has also flagged concerns about nitrogen oxide pollution from data centers’ on-site generators — typically gas or diesel turbines — affecting areas near Dublin. A crackdown began in 2021, spurred by projections that data centers are on pace to take up one third of Ireland’s electricity in this decade. Regulators declared that Dublin had hit its limits and could no longer plug more data centers into its grid. The government urged tech companies to look outside the capital and find ways to supply their own power. “What’s happening in Ireland is the politics of basically what happens when you build too many of these things,” said University College Dublin researcher Patrick Brodie. “Even though people have recognized for a while that data centers are energy hogs, there hasn’t really been so many of these moments where, effectively, Ireland issued a red alert.” Adelaide was a child when Microsoft opened Grange Castle’s first data center in 2009, but enormous complexes built by Amazon, Google, Microsoft and other companies have since expanded around the ruined castle that anchors the business park. They have their own modern fortifications of high fences, surveillance cameras and guard houses, and don’t display their corporate logos. In June, Adelaide’s campaign against data centers helped get him elected to a seat on the South Dublin County Council for the leftist People Not Profits Party. The council soon after rejected Google’s plan to build another data center. Google appealed the decision in September. “It was only going to employ around 50 people,” Adelaide said. “It would have been a massive cost to the local area and to Ireland in general with very little benefit, which is kind of how the tax haven system works.” The backlash from Dublin-area local planning authorities — combined with stricter, if sometimes contradictory, guidance from the national government — has frustrated data center developers. One fully-built data center from Texas-based Digital Realty is sitting idle at Grange Castle while it awaits permission to connect to the electricity grid. The company sells space within its data centers for clients such as banks, email providers and social media platforms. It says it lacks a grid connection despite contracting for enough renewable energy to power all of its Irish data centers. “When we look at artificial intelligence, when we look at new technologies coming along the line, the basic requirement for all of those is power infrastructure,” said Dermot Lahey, who directs Digital Realty’s data center implementation in Ireland, speaking inside a cavernous empty data hall. Ireland has all the elements to make it a “great home for AI expansion,” he said. “What’s preventing us from being able to leverage that is the fact that the power constraints that we have, or the power moratorium that we have, is greatly impacting our ability to provide space for customers,” Lahey said. Moving to the boglands? Once colder weather sets in, the smoky fragrance of fireplaces burning briquettes of peat lingers over County Offaly, just over an hour’s drive west of Dublin in a region known as the Midlands. It’s places like this where some data center developers, thwarted by Dublin’s constraints, now see opportunity. A report commissioned by County Offaly’s government pitches the bog-dotted region as a place to “create thousands of green jobs” and rival “Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Paris in being an anchor for data centres powered by renewable energy.” Farmer and conservationist Brian Sheridan, 83, is doubtful. He’s seen this region transformed once before, from a vast wetland known as the Bog of Allen to barren pockets of brownfields as people cut away trenches of dense peat soil, or turf – first with spades and later with tractors at an industrial scale to create homegrown fuel. “The bog started disappearing and it wasn’t being replaced,” said Sheridan, walking along a boardwalk over carpets of moss and sedges in the now-protected Clara Bog Nature Reserve. Decades of rapid extraction fostered Ireland’s energy independence and employed scores of workers in turf-cutting, briquette factories and power plants. But it also polluted the air and devastated a delicate environment. Bogs that naturally trapped large amounts of carbon dioxide were stripped down to the bedrock, contributing to global warming. When burned, peat is dirtier than coal. Ireland has largely banned the sale of peat and shuttered the last remaining peat-fired power plants. But the state-supported company at the helm of peat extraction, Bord na Móna, still controls vast tracts of former bogland. It has refashioned itself as a renewable energy provider, laying down wind turbines and solar farms and partnering with Amazon to build a data center near the village of Rhode. Bord na Móna declined multiple interview requests about its plans, and some residents feel left in the dark. “Bord na Móna, as far as I’m concerned, are a law unto themselves,” Sheridan said. “Now that the turf-cutting is all finished, they should be gone. But it’s still the same Bord Na Móna and they won’t answer questions.” Amazon declined to talk about specific projects and has repeatedly signaled it may shift its new data center investments away from Ireland. But an executive said the company is still working closely with the Irish government and characterized Ireland’s challenges as mostly about transmission — building the infrastructure to get new clean energy where it needs to go. “Ireland has tremendous opportunity for additional renewable energy,” said Kevin Miller, Amazon Web Services’ vice president of global data centers. “However, they also need quite a bit more capacity on the grid to tap into that generation.” Could wind save Ireland’s data centers? A tech-driven race is on to harness the region’s wind. Backed by a power purchase agreement with Microsoft, the Norwegian wind energy company Statkraft is building nine towering wind turbines in remote former boglands along County Offaly’s eastern edge. Statkraft’s managing director for Ireland, Kevin O’Donovan, said data centers are actually helping to accelerate Ireland’s clean energy transition. “For a lot of the mainland European countries, demand is going down and that’s actually leading to a challenge to roll out renewables,” O’Donovan said. “Whereas in Ireland we have demand that’s increasing because the country is growing economically and obviously a part of that is the data center growth.” On the other side of Offaly, a group of residents who live along the Lemanaghan Bog near the site of a 7th-century monastery are skeptical of such claims. They are opposed to what a proposed Bord Na Móna wind farm will do to its cultural heritage and ecology. KK Kenny took his concerns to Dublin this fall in a meeting with the country’s taoiseach, or prime minister, Simon Harris. Kenny wants to see the bog preserved for biodiversity. He’d be happy to see data center developers follow through with their pledge to look to other European countries. “They say, oh, they’re going to pull out,” Kenny said. “That would be a great thing. We can’t sustain them.” Some neighbors of Amazon’s proposed data center in Rhode are more open to the idea. One village resident already commutes all the way to Dublin to work at a data center. Another is hoping it will employ people who’d want to buy new homes. “We’re all for change,” said Gerard Whelan. “I’ll get work because I build houses. It’s a domino effect.” Related Articles World News | ‘It’s Silicon Valley’s turn’: Bay Area VC David Sacks pulled into Trump’s close orbit World News | OpenAI whistleblower found dead in San Francisco apartment World News | San Jose, SJSU announce collaboration with NVIDIA to further workforce development, AI innovation World News | Nvidia strikes deal for big San Jose lease, hinting at tech expansion World News | Google forges ahead with its next generation of AI technology while fending off a breakup threat At a village pub, the Rhode Inn, Whelan points to a photograph of the old peat-burning power plant where his father worked the control room. Its cooling towers loomed over the village before their demolition two decades ago. Another nearby plant only stopped burning peat a year ago. What happens next for Ireland’s data centers could depend in part on the new national government coming into power early next year. Data centers were not a top issue for Irish voters who showed up to the polls on Nov. 29. But analysts expect the two center-right parties forming a new coalition government to face industry pressure to ease limits on data center expansion. Ossian Smyth, an outgoing minister of state for the Irish government whose Green Party lost nearly all its parliamentary seats, said it would be a mistake to slow down Ireland’s climate commitments. But he also sees the limits on data center growth set by his outgoing government as having resolved most people’s concerns. What other countries can learn from Ireland’s experience, he added, is to carefully manage the effect of data centers on the stability of the electricity system — and make sure their benefits are much more than income or foreign investment. “Don’t see them as a necessary evil or something that you just have to put up with because it makes money and it gets taxes,” Smyth said.
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NoneIt's fairly safe to say Ridley Scott loves a delayed follow-up to his own original movies. First there was Bladerunner 2049 (great), then Prometheus (so good, if divisive). Now, we're getting a sequel to Gladiator, the acclaimed director's 2000s classic. Gladiator II takes us back to Ancient Rome with a new and returning cast of star-studded talent facing off and spectating a string of bloody battles. In our 8/10 Gladiator II review, Tom Jorgensen wrote that "it's a pretty simple restaging of Gladiator's tale of political upheaval seen through the eyes of a warrior. But as history has shown time and again, the classics can always hit home when staged with verve. Gladiator II is incredibly light on its feet, thanks in no small part to an enthusiastic cast. The modern polish Scott puts on the historical action framework he nailed two decades ago makes this sequel no one asked for a real champion blockbuster." If you're wondering how or where to watch Gladiator II this weekend – this Glicked weekend, if you will – grab your Gladiator popcorn bucket and check out the details below. (If you're participating in the double-header billing, here's how to watch Wicked as well.) How to Watch... Blythe Dujardin
Contra Costa County adopts gender-neutral pronouns as movement grows in Bay Area
Healthcare-focused AI startups are raising billions to help improve the US system. AI can help streamline clinical documentation, drug research, and medical billing. This article is part of "Trends in Healthcare," a series about the innovations and industry leaders shaping patient care. Get the inside scoop on today's big stories - delivered daily . Thanks for signing up! Look out for your first newsletter with today's big story in your inbox soon. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . The founder of Suki, a startup that uses artificial intelligence to automate healthcare documents, raised $70 million in funding from investors in a Series D round that was disclosed this past fall. He said it really didn't take that much persuading: With an epidemic of stressed- and burned-out physicians, there was an obvious need for their AI software, he added. "Most of the investor conversations over the last year and a half have been, 'Well, it looks like the market is here,'" said Punit Singh Soni, Suki's founder. "Are you going to be the winner or not?" Suki sells an AI-powered assistant that takes notes during a conversation between patients and clinicians. The notes can be reviewed by the doctor and submitted as an electronic health record. This saves time on administrative tasks and allows physicians more time to take care of patients, a resource that's becoming increasingly limited among healthcare professionals. Surveys have consistently found that doctors and other medical workers are burned out from working in an often overloaded, convoluted, and inefficient system. The US spent $4.8 trillion on healthcare in 2023, according to a January report from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. The US also spends more per person than nearly all other developed nations, according to a report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Despite this, health outcomes were poorer, with Americans facing a lower life expectancy, higher rates of treatable and preventable excess deaths, and less efficient healthcare systems. Cash-strapped hospitals and private practices have lagged behind the financial-services and telecommunications industries in applying newer technologies, but the healthcare industry is increasingly considering artificial intelligence as it contends with high labor costs and a lot of opportunities to automate routine tasks. The pandemic exacerbated these challenges with staffing shortages as overworked doctors and nurses quit the profession. To make healthcare more efficient, AI startups like Suki, Zephyr AI, and Tennr have raised millions with vast promises, including making repetitive tasks like billing and note-taking easier, improving the accuracy of clinical diagnosis, and identifying the right patient population for emerging treatments. But the challenges are vast. The healthcare industry's budget allocations for generative AI are trailing those of many other core industries , such as energy and materials, consumer goods, and retail. Clinical diagnosis will continue to require a human in the loop, so the process can't be fully automated. The healthcare industry is highly regulated, and quite often, venture capitalists will wait for clarity on laws from the federal government before aggressively pushing AI tech advancements forward. A $370 billion bet on boosting the healthcare sector's productivity The consulting firm McKinsey estimates that generative AI can boost productivity for the healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medical-products industries by as much as $370 billion by accelerating drug research, making clinical documentation easier, speeding up medical billing, and helping doctors make diagnoses. Some big funding rounds announced in 2024 highlight the diverse use cases for AI in the healthcare sector. They include $150 million raised by the clinical-documentation AI startup Abridge in February, the drug-discovery AI startup Xaira Therapeutics bringing in $1 billion before its launch in April, Atropos Health's $33 million Series B in May to help doctors analyze real-world evidence with generative AI, and the medical-billing-automation provider Candid Health raising $29 million in September. Parth Desai, a partner at Flare Capital Partners, has steered investments into healthcare startups such as Photon Health and SmarterDx. He said that healthcare organizations had been dedicating more money to bolster their AI strategies, beginning in late 2022 and accelerating through 2024. That's boosting demand for the tools these startups are developing. There's also less pressure to immediately prove a return on investment, which budget-conscious health systems have closely monitored in the past when allocating dollars for technology. "The thing that we're really studying before making an investment decision is: Do budgets exist today to pay for this technology?" Desai told Business Insider. "Or are they going to exist in a large-enough fashion in the next five to 10 years to support this technology?" Candid Health and Akasa aim to cut costs and automate medical billing One area of particular promise has been medical billing, which could benefit from large language model automation. An LLM could, for example, analyze a large volume of claims in a client's system and accurately match them with insurers' unique billing codes, a process required for repayment to a physician for their services. Hospitals have traditionally relied on human medical coders to hunt down reimbursements from insurers. "The software used to do billing was built a long time ago and basically wasn't kept up to date," Nick Perry, a cofounder and the CEO of Candid Health, said. Malinka Walaliyadde, the CEO of Akasa — another medical-billing-focused AI startup — said the company builds customized LLMs for each healthcare institution it serves. Typically, the aim for these LLMs is to lower costs by lessening the reliance on human medical coders. This often reduces errors in billing and speeds up repayment cycles. "We looked at what are the biggest pain points for health systems," Walaliyadde told BI. He said that Akasa's focus is on developing LLM products for medical coding and simplifying prior authorization, a process that requires approval from a health-plan provider before a patient can receive a treatment. "Those are the ones where you could really move the needle," Walaliyadde said. AI for health screenings George Tomeski, the founder of Helfie AI, is in the middle of pitching investors to raise as much as $200 million in a new round of funding that he hopes to close by the first half of 2025. Tomeski said the funding would help Helfie scale as it exits beta testing for the company's app. The app, also called Helfie, uses a smartphone camera to do medical "checks" that screen for illnesses including COVID-19, tuberculosis, and certain skin conditions. "We're targeting all the health conditions that lead to avoidable mortality," Tomeski said, adding that the app focuses on respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. The intention is for these checks —which can cost as low as $0.20 a person per screen — to serve as a form of preventive care and as an incentive to go see a doctor in person. While some funding is going toward sales and marketing, talent acquisition, and ensuring adherence to regulations around privacy and healthcare data, a large chunk is still being allocated to product development as AI tech advances quickly. Dr. Brigham Hyde, a cofounder and the CEO of Atropos Health, said his latest funding announcement, in May, was timed to coincide with the geared-up launch of ChatRWD, an AI copilot that can answer doctors' questions and quickly churn out published studies based on healthcare data. Hyde said he's keen to bring in big partners this time, including the pharmaceutical giant Merck and the medical-supplies and equipment maker McKesson. But Hyde also had to show some restraint. He said that when Atropos Health moved forward with its Series B rounds, dozens of venture capitalists expressed interest in leading the round. The company was offered up to $100 million but took only one-third of that amount. "I don't always think that's a good idea," Hyde told BI. "As a founder, you want to raise the right amount of money for your business and for the stage you're at." It may be tempting to take more, as many healthcare AI startups — a vast majority still in the seed and early-stage funding rounds — are racing to outmaneuver rivals. Even if the technology is right, it has to get past regulatory approvals and persuade cautious hospitals and health systems to open up their wallets. "You can build as much product as you want, but you can never build a market," Soni of Suki said. "It shows up, or it doesn't show up."Council chiefs have been warned they may be breaking the law by sending thousands of people on housing waiting lists in London to the North and the Midlands. Authorities have been accused of “exiling” poor families to areas where home costs are cheaper. Up to one in 10 residents in Ferryhill, Co Durham, are believed to be refugees from the capital, with “whole streets” in other towns in the region being filled with Londoners desperate for a home. Chris Bailey, campaign manager for charity Action on Empty Homes, said: “It is as if the towns of Co Durham and Teesside are being turned into the equivalent of London’s modern day leper colonies.” He added families were “sent into exile up there, through no fault of their own”. Councils in the capital moved 15,280 households to other areas in just one year, Freedom of Information requests by Nottingham University found. Many were moved to neighbouring boroughs but others were sent hundreds of miles away. Areas receiving homeless families each year also include Walsall, Sheffield and Liverpool. Section 208 of the Housing Act requires councils that move households to inform the local authority the family is being sent to, but MPs in the North have accused boroughs in the capital of failing to do this. Grahame Morris, MP for Easington, in Co Durham, is to lead a Commons debate highlighting the issue. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has also written to every council chief executive in England to remind them they are required by law to notify the receiving local authority of any out-of-area placement. Research has been led by Dr Steve Iafrati, assistant professor in social policy at Nottingham, who said families are expected to start a new life away from friends and family, with children forced to change school. Any that refuse can be classed as “voluntarily homeless” and lose the right to help. Meanwhile, the areas receiving London’s homeless face extra demand for school and healthcare services. Dr Iafrati said: “People who are moved have got children or they are pregnant, they may have a mental or physical disability. “I have spoken to households who then could not get a school for their child in the area they were moved to. “I have spoken to people who have lost their job. “The biggest group moved are women with children and that adds to demand for school places.”The 109th session of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109) was held from 2 to 6 December 2024. Amendments to the IGC Code to enable the use of ammonia cargo as fuel were adopted, and interim guidelines for the general use of ammonia as fuel were approved. The IGF Code was amended to improve the safety of ships using natural gas as fuel. MSC 109 further approved draft SOLAS amendments to enhance the safety of pilot transfer arrangements and progress was made on the new safety code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships •Adopted amendments to the IGC Code to enable the use of ammonia cargo as fuel •Adopted amendments to the IGF Code for ships using natural gas as fuel •Approved draft interim guidelines for ammonia as fuel •Approved draft amendments to SOLAS Regulation V/23 and the related performance standards to improve the safety of pilot transfer arrangements •Advanced the non-mandatory Code on Maritime Autono- mous Surface Ships (MASS) Amendments to mandatory instruments Ammonia cargo as fuel (IGC Code) MSC 109 adopted amendments to Paragraph 16.9.2 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) to enable the use of ammonia as fuel on ammonia carriers. An MSC circular to encourage the voluntary early implemen- tation of the amendments to Chapter 16 was approved. The amendments will enter into force on 1 July 2026. Safety of ships using natural gas as fuel (IGF Code) MSC 109 adopted amendments to the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), based on experience with the code since its entry into force in 2017. The amendments include: •Clarified application provisions •Alignment with the IGC Code on suction wells for fuel tanks extending below the lowermost boundary of the tank •Alignment with the IGC Code on discharge from pressure relief valves to discharge to tanks under certain conditions •Clarified requirements to fire insulation for deck structures in relation to fuel tanks on open deck •Clarified requirements for hazardous ducts through non- hazardous spaces and vice versa •Updated requirements for the hazardous zone radius for fuel tank vent mast outlets, increasing to 6 metres for zone 1 and 4 metres for zone 2 The amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2028. Goal-based new ship construction standards Goal-based standards (GBS) for the new construction of bulk carriers and oil tankers are, conceptually, the IMO’s rules for class rules. Under the GBS, IMO auditors use guidelines to verify the construction rules for bulk carriers and oil tankers of class societies acting as Recognized Organizations (Resolu- tion MSC.454(100)). Initial GBS verification of Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia (BKI) BKI has requested GBS verification of their ship construction rules for bulk carries and oil tankers. MSC 109 agreed that the BKI rules comply with the GBS, provided non-conformities and observations are rectified and verified in a new audit. North Atlantic wave data (IACS Recommendation No. 34, Revision 2) MSC 109 noted that IACS is currently undertaking a review of its Common Structural Rules (CSR) for bulk carriers and oil tankers to reflect advances in data, materials, technologies and calculation methodologies. The CSR are implemented in the individual class rules of the IACS members, which are subject to compliance with the GBS. MSC 109 further noted that IACS has now issued a revision of the North Atlantic wave data to ensure more scientific data as a basis for the rule formulas in the CSR. The new scatter diagram in Revision 2 of IACS Recommendation No. 34 shows the probability of occurrence of different sea states and is based on wave data from advanced hindcast wave models combined with ships’ AIS data for all SOLAS vessels in the period from 2013 to 2020. MSC 109 agreed that an observation from the initial CSR audit in 2015, that the scatter diagram in Revision 1 of IACS Recommendation No. 34 was based on past statistics, was now considered addressed. MSC 109 further invited IACS to provide more information about the assumptions, modelling and technical background for Revision 2 of IACS Recommendation No. 34, and agreed that the GBS audit of the revision to follow should be carried out in conjunction with the consequential rule changes in the CSR. Maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) The prospect of autonomous ships operating internationally with little or no human intervention has revealed the need for a regulatory framework for such ships, including their interac- tion and co-existence with conventional manned ships. The current regulatory framework generally assumes man- ning and human intervention. The IMO has agreed to develop a non-mandatory, goal-based code for cargo MASS, poten- tially entering into force as a mandatory code upon expe- rience with its application. The purpose of the code is to provide a framework to address both the remote control and the autonomous operation of key functions. The non-mandatory MASS Code is planned to be finalized by 2026, followed by an experience-building phase after its adoption. A mandatory code is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2032, at the earliest. MSC 109 finalized the chapters of the MASS Code on risk assessment, remote operations and connectivity. The chap- ters on remote operation and connectivity will apply depend- ing on the mode of operation and the functionality being applied, which, for example, would open for a manned MASS with a periodically unmanned bridge, without the support of a remote operation centre. The search and rescue obligations of a MASS to assist per- sons in distress were considered, but not concluded. The non-mandatory MASS Code will be progressed in a Cor- respondence Group until MSC 110 (June 2025 New technologies and alternative fuels Identification of gaps in current IMO instruments MSC 109 continued its consideration of potential alternative fuels and new technologies to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships from a safety perspective. The intention is to identify safety obstacles, barriers and gaps in the current IMO instruments that may impede the use of the various alter- native fuels and new technologies. MSC 109 agreed to add “swappable traction lithium-ion battery containers” to the list of alternative fuels and new technologies. The list already includes fuels and technolo- gies such as ammonia, hydrogen, fuel cell power installations, nuclear power, solar power, wind power, lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitor energy storage technology. Recommendations to address each of the identified barriers and gaps in the IMO regulatory framework will be considered in a Correspondence Group until MSC 110 (June 2025). Application of the IGF Code MSC 109 agreed on draft amendments to SOLAS to clarify that the IGF Code applies to ships using gaseous fuels, whether they are low-flashpoint or not. The term “gaseous fuels” was added to the definitions in SOLAS Regulation II-1/2 and to the application provisions of SOLAS Regulations II-1/56 and 57. The draft amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2027, subject to adoption by MSC 110 (June 2025). Maritime cyber risk management MSC 109 recognized the importance of cybersecurity stand- ards for ships and port facilities, and invited for proposals on the next steps to enhance maritime cyber security. Formal safety assessment MSC 109 agreed to draft modifications to the Revised FSA Guidelines (MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.12/Rev.2). The draft modifi- cations include an updated threshold for the cost–benefit assessment and improved guidance for the ranking of cost- efficient risk control options. In addition, the guidelines have been editorially reviewed to increase clarity and take into account experience gained. Ship systems and equipment Life jacket requirements in the High Speed Craft Codes MSC 109 approved draft amendments to Paragraph 8.3.5 of Annex 1 of the 1994 and 2000 High Speed Craft (HSC) Codes to harmonize the life jacket carriage requirements in the codes with the corresponding requirements in SOLAS Chapter III with respect to the number of infant life jackets and accessories to adult life jackets to accommodate large persons. The draft amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2028, subject to adoption by MSC 110 (June 2025). Maintenance of inflated rescue boats MSC 109 approved a Unified Interpretation of SOLAS Regu- lations III/20.8.4 and 20.11, and of Resolution MSC.402(96), to clarify that the requirements for the maintenance, thor- ough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of rescue boats apply to all rescue boats, whether inflated or rigid. Arrangement of gas-freeing piping/ducts on tankers MSC 109 approved a Unified Interpretation of SOLAS Regula- tion II-2/4.5.6.1 and Paragraphs 3.1.2, 3.1.4 and 3.5.3 of the IBC Code to facilitate the consistent implementation of the requirements to prevent the release of inflammable vapours into non-hazardous closed spaces. Crowns and casings of machinery spaces of category A MSC 109 approved a Unified Interpretation of SOLAS Regula- tion II-2/11.4.1 to clarify the term “crown” in machinery spaces of category A. The UI clarifies that the “crown” means the under- side of the deck and the uppermost horizontal part of the main space of the machinery space, with exemplary sketches. Secondary means of venting cargo tanks of tankers MSC 109 approved a draft Unified Interpretation of SOLAS Regulations II-2/4.5.3.2.2 and 11.6.3.2 to clarify the pressure alarm settings for ships that apply pressure sensors in each tank as an alternative to having a secondary means of venting. Reliability of essential propulsion components MSC 109 approved a draft Unified Interpretation of SOLAS Regulation II-1/26.2 to clarify its application to dual winding electric propulsion motors for passenger ships. The draft Unified Interpretation addresses the risk of a non-repairable single failure in an electric propulsion motor. Average mass of a person during lifeboat testing MSC 109 approved a revision of Part 1 of Resolution MSC.81(70) on the testing of life-saving appliances and the test report forms in MSC.1/Circ.1630/Rev.2 to reflect that the average mass of a person should be 75 kilograms for life- boats intended for passenger ships and 82.5 kilograms for lifeboats intended for cargo ships. Retro-reflective materials on life-saving appliances MSC 109 approved, as a minor corrections draft, consequen- tial amendments to the Revised Standardized Life-Saving Appliance and Test Report Forms MSC.1/Circ.1628/Rev.2 (personal LSA), MSC.1/Circ.1630/Rev.2 (survival craft) and MSC.1/Circ.1632 (launching and embarkation appliances) to replace the reference to Resolution A658(16) with a reference to Resolution MSC.481(102) to reflect the most recent recom- mendation on the use and fitting of retro-reflective materials on life-saving appliances. In addition, some minor details were added to MSC.1/ Circ.1630/Rev.2 (survival crafts) and MSC.1/Circ.1631 (rescue boats). Pressure-vacuum valves on cargo tanks in tankers MSC 109 approved draft amendments to the “Revised Standards for the Design, Testing and Locating of Devices to Prevent the Passage of Flame into Cargo Tanks in Tankers” (MSC.1/Circ.677/Rev.1) to reference the 2021 edition of the ISO standard 15364, introducing a maximum leakage rate from pressure-vacuum valves. The circular will apply to devices installed on or after 6 December 2026. Minor correction to MSC.1/Circ.1276/Rev.1 MSC 109 approved draft amendments to MSC.1/Circ.1276/Rev.1 on Unified Interpretations to SOLAS Chapter II-2 to replace the reference to SOLAS Regulation II-2/9.7.5 with a reference to SOLAS Regulation II-2/9.7.5.1 to clarify that the Unified Interpre- tation related to exhaust ducts from galley ranges was intended for passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers. Correction of references to structural fire protection tables MSC 109 approved a correction of two references in SOLAS Regulation II-2/11 to refer to the correct fire integrity tables in SOLAS Regulation II-2/9. The amendments are expected to take effect on 1 January 2028. Navigation, communications, search and rescue – check repo Digital navigational data system (NAVDAT) MSC 109 adopted performance standards for the NAVDAT system and amendments to Resolution MSC.509(105) on “Provision of radio services for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)”. NAVDAT is intended for broadcasting digital data, includ- ing maritime safety information (MSI) and search and rescue (SAR)-related information on medium frequency (MF) and high frequency (HF) bands from shore to ships. Mobile satellite communication services in the GMDSS MSC 109 approved a revision of the “Criteria for the provi- sion of mobile satellite communication systems in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)” (Resolution A.1001(25)) based on experience gained when open for multiple recognized mobile satellite providers in the GMDSS. The new resolution will cover both new and already approved GMDSS Mobile Satellite Service providers. The resolution is expected to be adopted by the Assembly in December 2025 and enter into force immediately thereafter. Safety of pilot transfer arrangements MSC 109 approved a draft revision of SOLAS Regulation V/23 and associated performance standards for pilot transfer arrangements. The intention is to ensure safe arrangements for pilots and other personnel embarking and disembarking ships in all conditions of draught and trim. The draft amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2028, subject to adoption by MSC 110 (June 2025). The requirements will be applied retroactively. A draft MSC circular open for voluntarily early implementa- tion of the amendments was approved. Improvement of security and integrity aspects of AIS MSC 109 approved a revision of the performance stand- ards for the shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS) (Resolution MSC.74(69)) to prevent the unauthorized entry or tampering of a ship’s identity information in the AIS. Validity of radiocommunications equipment MSC 109 approved a revision of MSC.1/Circ.1460/Rev.4 to clarify that: •The mandatory VHF/DSC equipment required by SOLAS Regulation IV/7 on radio equipment (including the required duplicated equipment for maintenance purposes) should comply with the latest channel arrangements in Appendix 18 of the Radio Regulations by the first radio survey sched- uled on or after 1 January 2028, or earlier. •Ships should always be able to communicate with shore facilities in their area of operation, noting that some admin- istrations may already have implemented the new channels. Carriage of cargoes and containers Ammonia as fuel MSC 109 approved draft interim guidelines for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel. Ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk (IGC Code) MSC approved draft amendments to the IGC Code to incor- porate the large number of Unified Interpretations developed since the latest major review of the code, which entered into force in 2016. The primary objective of the draft amendments is to remove ambiguity and promote the consistent imple- mentation of the IGC Code requirements. Implementation of IMO instruments Lessons learned and analysis of marine safety investigation reports MSC 109 approved a MSC circular to recommend that national administrations expand requirements for carriage of AIS and VHF for the domestic fishing fleet to prevent collisions. Guidance on implementation of Cape Town Agreement MSC 109 approved interim guidance to support implementa- tion of the Cape Town Agreement. The Cape Town Agreement (CTA) sets minimum require- ments on the design, construction, equipment, surveys and certification of fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over, or equivalent in gross tonnes. The agreement has now been ratified by 22 states, with a combined fleet of about 2,600 fishing vessels. The number of states is sufficient, but a com- bined fleet of 3,600 fishing vessels is needed. Work programme MSC 109 agreed on the following new work items: Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications, Search and Rescue Very high frequency (VHF) voice communications MSC 109 agreed to the development of a transition scheme for the the introduction of digital technology for VHF voice communications. S-100 Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) MSC 109 agreed to the development of guidance to establish a framework for data distribution and global IP-based con- nectivity between shore-based facilities and ships for ECDIS S-100 products. Any other business Maintenance of radiocommunication equipment MSC 109 recalled that the modernization of the GMDSS requirements in SOLAS Chapter IV was not intended to bring substantive changes to the radio installations on existing ships. MSC 109 confirmed that for operating in sea area A3, a single MF/HF radio installation is accepted as a means to comply with the requirements of a primary MF radio installation and a duplicated MF/HF radio installation simultaneously. Footnote 6 of COMSAR.1/Circ.43/Rev.2 was amended to reflect this confirmation. Recommendations DNV recommends customers note that MSC 108 was the last session to adopt amendments to the 2026 update of SOLAS and related mandatory codes. The MSC is now working on updates of SOLAS and related mandatory codes, which will enter into force on 1 January 2028 and beyond. Amendments to the 2028 update must be adopted before 1 July 2026. DNV further recommends that customers monitor the out- come of MSC 110 in June 2025. Source:DNV,