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New SOLAS Requirements for Lifting Appliances and Anchor Handling Winches on Board Ships

New SOLAS regulations II-1/2 and II-1/3-13

In June 2023, the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) adopted Resolution MSC.532(107), which amends the SOLAS Convention by introducing new regulations II-1/2 and II-1/3-13. These regulations focus on onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches.

The MSC also approved the Guidelines for Anchor Handling Winches (MSC.1/Circ.1662) and Guidelines for Lifting Appliances (MSC.1/Circ.1663) to aid in implementing these new SOLAS regulations. The regulations will take effect on January 1, 2026.

The MSC's decision was driven by increasing accidents involving lifting appliances and winches. This initiative began with an analysis of maritime accident data and a review of existing regulations, such as the ILO Convention 152, to identify root causes and regulatory gaps.

The SOLAS amendments specify requirements for the application, design, construction, operation, inspection, testing, and maintenance of these devices. The main goal is to prevent accidents that could cause harm to personnel, damage to ships, cargo, subsea and shore-based structures, and harm to the marine environment.

Actions to consider

In order to comply with the new SOLAS regulations II-1/2 and II-1/3-13, as well as the Guidelines for Lifting Appliances (MSC.1/Circ.1663), and the Guidelines for Anchor Handling Winches (MSC.1/Circ.1662), the following actions are recommended:

Existing installations

  • For existing lifting appliances, anchor handling winches, and their associated loose gear, owners / operators should take stock of the equipment that is currently installed on their vessels, and make a determination on which equipment falls under the purview of the new SOLAS regulations. Thereafter, owners / operators should develop a plan for compliance with new SOLAS regulations and guidelines. ABS can assist owners / operators in streamlining this effort and the certification of existing equipment. 

New installations

  • For lifting appliances, anchor handling winches, and their associated loose gear that are in the process of being designed and constructed, it is recommended that shipyards and equipment manufacturers develop a plan for compliance with the new SOLAS regulations and guidelines.
  • The new SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13.2.1 requires lifting appliances to be designed, constructed and installed in accordance with the requirements of a Classification Society or standards acceptable to the Administration which provide an equivalent level of safety. In this regard, lifting appliances that are designed, built, installed and tested as per the ABS Guide for the Certification of Lifting Appliances shall be in compliance with the above referenced SOLAS Regulation.
  • The new SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13.2.2 requires anchor handling winches to be designed, constructed, installed and tested as per the Guidelines for Anchor Handling Winches, to the satisfaction of the Administration.
  • ABS can assist with the compliance verification process from start to finish. This would include the design review, inspection, testing, and issuance of the lifting appliance / anchor handling winch certificate, where authorized by the Administration.

 

Lifting Appliance

Lifting appliance means any load-handling ship's equipment:

        1.        used for cargo loading, transfer or discharge

        2.        used for raising and lowering hold hatch covers or movable bulkheads

        3.        used as engine-room cranes

        4.        used as stores cranes

        5.        used as hose handling cranes

        6.        used for launch and recovery of tender boats and similar applications; and

        7.        used as personnel handling cranes

Sample mockup for images with text to links:

Cargo Loading, Tranfer or Discharge

Anchor Handling Winch

Anchor handling winch means any winch for the purpose of deploying, recovering and repositioning anchors and mooring lines in subsea operations.

Note that these winches typically handle anchors and mooring lines that belong to other vessels, and not the vessel on which the anchor handling winch is installed. Such winches should not be confused with the vessel’s anchor windlasses.

Loose Gear

Loose gear means an article of ships equipment by means of which a load can be attached to a lifting appliance or an anchor handling winch, but which does not form an integral part of the appliance or load.

Applicability

  • The new requirements apply to lifting appliances, anchor handling winches, and associated loose gear.

  • Design, construction, and installation standards will only apply to new installations on or after January 1, 2026, whereas maintenance, operation, inspection, and testing requirements will be enforced for all ships.

The Administration shall determine to what extent the requirements do not apply to lifting appliances which have a safe working load below 1,000 kg.

“Installed On or After”

The expression installed on or after January 1, 2026, as provided in regulation 3-13, means:

a. Installed on or after January 1, 2026

  • New construction lifting appliances are required to be designed, constructed and installed in accordance with Class Society requirements or standards acceptable to the Administration which provide an equivalent level of safety. Additionally, these appliances are required to be load tested and thoroughly examined after installation and before being used for the first time, as well as after repairs or major modifications.
  • New construction anchor handling winches are required to be designed, constructed, installed and tested per the Guidelines for Anchor Handling Winches (MSC.1/Circ.1662), to the satisfaction of the Administration.

b. Installed before January 1, 2026

  • Existing lifting appliances are required to be tested, thoroughly examined, permanently marked and provided with documentary evidence regarding their SWL no later than the date of the first renewal survey on or after January 1, 2026.
  • Existing anchor handling winches are required to be tested and thoroughly examined no later than the date of the first renewal survey on or after January 1, 2026.

c. All installations (new and existing)

  • Both new and existing lifting appliances and anchor handling winches, as well as their loose gear, are required to be operationally tested, thoroughly examined, inspected, operated, and maintained per the Guidelines for Lifting Appliances (MSC.1/Circ.1663) or/and Guidelines for Anchor Handling Winches (MSC.1/Circ.1662), as applicable.
  • Regulation II-1/3-13.4 clarifies that inoperable lifting appliances or anchor handling winches should not be assumed as making the ship unseaworthy or be a reason for delaying the ship in port, provided that action has been taken by the master to secure this equipment so that it does not interfere with the vessel operation and execution of the voyage. Additional guidance on the actions to be taken by the master is included in the respective guidelines.

 

More FAQS

Guidelines for Lifting Appliances

The Maritime Safety Committee approved Guidelines for Lifting Appliances (MSC.1/Circ.1663) to ensure a uniform approach to SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13. These guidelines support the application of SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13 for lifting appliances and loose gear.

 

Lifting Appliances

Loose Gear

General Requirements
  • Lifting appliances installed on or after January 1, 2026, should be designed, constructed, and installed according to the requirements of a recognized classification society or standards providing an equivalent level of safety.
  • Lifting appliances should undergo load testing after installation, before initial use, and after major repairs/modifications and retested at least once every five years.
  • Thorough examinations should be conducted upon completion of any load test and annually.
  • Loose gear utilized with lifting appliances should be designed and manufactured in accordance with requirements acceptable to the Administration or a classification society.

 

Demonstration of Compliance
  • Lifting appliances installed on or after January 1, 2026 should be certified as compliant with SOLAS regulations II-1/3-13.2.1 and II-1/3-13.2.3, including plan appraisal, material verification, survey, testing and examination during fabrication, verification of component certificates including its loose gear, and on-board testing and thorough examination.
  • Existing lifting appliances with valid certificates under another international instrument issued before January 2026 are considered compliant with SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13.2.4.
  • All certified lifting appliances should be recorded in the Register of Ship's Lifting Appliances and Cargo Handling Gear, with the Certificate of test and thorough examination attached.
  • Loose gear should be certified, and certificates of test and thorough examination should be attached to the Register of ship's lifting appliances and cargo handling gear.
  • Loose gear should be clearly and permanently marked with its unique identification (serial no.) and the SWL.

Maintenance, Inspection and Operational Testing
  • Maintenance, inspection, operational testing and their respective intervals should be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, industry standards and guidelines or classification society requirements and recommendations acceptable to the Administration, considering factors such as the operational profile of the ship and the lifting appliance. 
  • Lifting appliances are vulnerable to marine environmental conditions, requiring diligent inspection and maintenance to address deterioration and corrosion.
  • A maintenance manual should be provided by the manufacturer, including inspection regimes, maintenance schedules, repair instructions, technical information, and lists of replaceable parts.
  • Maintenance and inspections at respective intervals should be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, industry standards and guidelines or classification society requirements.
  • All loose gear should be considered vulnerable to marine environmental conditions, which may lead to significant and accelerated deterioration and corrosion.
  • Records of thorough examination, testing, inspection, and maintenance should be maintained in a register of lifting appliances and kept on board.

Inoperative Lifting Appliances and Loose Gear

  • The master should take the inoperative lifting appliance into account in planning and executing a safe voyage.
  • Operation of inoperative lifting appliances should be prevented.
  • Inoperative loose gear should be stored separately from in-service loose gear and marked as being inoperative.

 

Guidelines for Lifting Appliances

The Maritime Safety Committee approved Guidelines for Anchor Handling Winches (MSC.1/Circ.1662) to ensure a uniform approach to SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13. These guidelines support the application of SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13 for lifting appliances and loose gear.

 

Anchor Handling Winches

Loose Gear

General Requirements
  • Anchor handling winches should be designed, constructed, and installed according to classification society standards.
    Winches should have adjustable speed control, "hold-to-run" operating controls, and tension control to prevent overloading
    Winches should have continuous load monitors with audible and visual overload alarms, programmable for lower load levels.
  • The main control station should be on the bridge with a clear view of the deck; cameras can be used if the view is obstructed.
  • Winches should have remotely operated spooling devices and emergency release mechanisms operable under normal and dead-ship conditions
  • Chain stoppers should include an audible alarm when engaged or disengaged and an emergency release functional in all conditions, including dead-ship situations.
  • After an emergency release, the chain stopper system should be inspected for damage before being put back into service
  • Loose gear utilized with anchor handling winches should be designed and manufactured in accordance with requirements acceptable to the Administration or a classification society.
  • All loose gear should have documentary evidence of a proof test and be retested after major repairs or modifications.
  • Loose gear should undergo thorough examination annually or after any proof test.

Testing and Thorough Examination
  • A commissioning test should be carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions and classification society requirements.
  • Periodical testing should be done annually and five-yearly, with the Administration or recognized organization witnessing the five-yearly test.
  • Thorough examinations should occur during annual surveys, after structural repairs, or after load testing.

 

Demonstration of Compliance
  • Anchor handling winches installed on or after January 1, 2026, should be certified as compliant with SOLAS regulations II-1/3-13.2.2.
  • Winches installed before this date should be certified by the first renewal survey on or after January 1, 2026.
  • Existing winches with valid certificates under another international instrument acceptable to the Administration should be considered compliant.
  • Loose gear should be certified to meet the provisions in Section 4 before being put into use.
  • Loose gear should be clearly and permanently marked with its unique identification (serial no.), safe working load (SWL), and any additional marks required for safe use.
  • Personnel involved in anchor handling winch operations should be qualified, familiarized with the equipment, and authorized by the master.

Nameplate
  • Anchor handling winches should have a permanently affixed nameplate with manufacturer details, model/serial number, power supply, wire details, brake holding capacity, line pull, bollard pull, and other specifications.
  • Detailed specifications can be included in other documentation like the operation/maintenance manual.
  • Documentation should be unambiguously related to the actual winch using the unique serial number.
  

Maintenance, Inspection and Operational Testing
  • A maintenance manual should be provided by the manufacturer, including inspection regimes, maintenance schedules, repair instructions, and technical information.
  • The manual should also include lists of replaceable parts, spare part sources, model forms, operational test procedures, and preservation information.
  • Records of routine inspection and maintenance should be maintained and kept on board.
  • Maintenance and inspections should align with manufacturer's recommendations, industry standards, or classification society guidelines.
  • Loose gear requires inspection by a responsible person before each use, with focus on wear, corrosion, damage, and certification.
  • Records of thorough examination, testing, inspection, and maintenance should be maintained and kept on board.

Operations Manual
  • An operations manual should be provided by the manufacturer, including design, operational, and environmental limitations.
  • The manual should also include compatible loose gear information, safety instructions, and operating procedures, including emergency procedures.
  • For winches installed before January 1, 2026, the manual should be developed with original manufacture data and modifications.
  

Inoperative Anchor Handling Winches, Associated Equipment and Loose Gear

 - The master should take inoperative anchor handling winches into account when planning voyages.

- Prevent operation and uncontrolled movement of inoperative equipment using appropriate restraints.

- Store inoperative wires and loose gear separately and record their particulars until repairs are completed and they have been tested and examined.

 

 

1.     Are there any exceptions in the application of Regulation 3-13?

This regulation does not apply to:

        1.        lifting appliances on ships certified as MODUs;

        2.        lifting appliances used on offshore construction ships, such as pipe/cable laying/repair or offshore installation vessels, including ships for decommissioning work, which comply with standards acceptable to the Administration;

        3.        integrated mechanical equipment for opening and closing hold hatch covers; and

        4.        life-saving launching appliances complying with the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code.

 

2.     How will the Load Testing and Thorough Examination of Non-Certified Lifting Appliances[SS1]  be demonstrated?

The IMO Maritime Safety Committee at its 106th session noted that a factual statement from the Administration or a recognized classification society can demonstrate compliance for existing lifting appliances lacking valid test certificates under other international instruments.

In February 2025, ­to ensure consistent application of SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13.2.4, a draft unified interpretation (SSE 11/10/5) was submitted at IMO[SF2] [SS3]  Ship Systems and Equipment Sub-Committee (SSE 11). IACS, as a co-sponsor acknowledged that recognized organizations should use a separate form to document compliance with SOLAS regulation II-1/13.2.4 for these appliances, as their certification history differs from those with valid certificates.

This interpretation provides a factual statement as documentation for load testing and thorough examination of existing lifting appliances without valid certificates, installed before January 1, 2026, effective from that date. The unified interpretation clarifies how to present information to distinguish between lifting appliances with and without valid certificates.

­The Sub-Committee agreed to the draft MSC circular on this interpretation, pending approval by MSC 110 in June 2025.

3.     For existing vessels is this just a matter of reissue of the ILO 152 certificate under a new SOLAS format certificate?

For existing lifting appliances with valid certificates, paragraph 3.3.3 of the MSC.1/Circ.1663 states that existing lifting appliances with valid certificates under other international instruments comply with SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13.2.4. Acceptable instruments may include the ILO Convention on Occupational Safety and Health in Dock Work (No. 152)

­For existing lifting appliances without valid certificates, the MSC.1/Circ.1663 do not specifically address these appliances, except that paragraph 3.2.1.2 mandates load testing for all applicable lifting appliances. Documentation as per the draft unified interpretation mentioned in the question 2 above  can serve to fulfill the requirements for those lifting appliances installed before January 1, 2026.

4.     Are Lifting Appliances with SWL < 1,000 KG subject to SOLAS II-1/3-13.2.1 and 2.4?

The Administration shall determine to what extent the requirements do not apply to lifting appliances which have a safe working load below 1,000 kg.

To date, there are varying practices among flag Administrations regarding this application. The following flag Administrations have issued marine notices that indicate applicability.

  • Barbados: Not applicable
  • Georgia: Applicable
  • Gibraltar: Applicable
  • Isle of Man: Not applicable

It is advisable to consult the flag Administration of the vessel.

5.     What information is included in the certification of test and thorough examination of lifting appliances?

A sample format is provided below:

 

6.     What information is included in the certification of test and thorough examination of loose gear?

A sample format is provided below:

 

7.     What information should be included in the register of lifting appliances and cargo handling gear?

A sample format is provided below:

 

8.     What are the relevant References?

More information can be found in the following documents:

  • MSC.1/Circ.1662- Guidelines for Anchor Handling Winches(see attached doc to the message)
  • MSC.1/Circ.1663-Guidelines for Lifting Appliances(see attached doc to the message)

 

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