**Entry into Force: 1 January 2026**

The IMO has introduced new mandatory requirements for onboard lifting appliances through SOLAS Chapter II-1, Regulation 3-13, aimed at establishing a consistent global safety standard for lifting operations carried out on board ships.

The regulation will enter into force on 1 January 2026 and is supported by the IMO Guidelines for Lifting Appliances (MSC.1/Circ.1663), which set out expectations for design, testing, examination, inspection, operation, and maintenance of lifting appliances.

Scope of Application

The regulation applies to permanently installed onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches, and loose gear utilized with the lifting appliances and the anchor handling winches, which may include, but are not limited to:

• Cargo and stores cranes

• Engine-room and deck handling cranes

• Hose-handling cranes

• Equipment used to lift hatch covers or moveable ship structures

Loose lifting gear associated with these appliances (e.g. wires, shackles, hooks, blocks) is also covered through the application of the IMO Guidelines.

The new SOLAS II-1/3-13 regulation does not apply to:

• Lifting appliances on ships certified as MODUs;

• 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;

• Integrated mechanical equipment for opening and closing hold hatch covers; and

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

Under SOLAS Chapter II-1, Regulation 3-13, Flag Administrations are required to determine:

• The extent of application of the requirements for lifting appliances installed on or after 1 January 2026, and

• The testing and thorough examination requirements for lifting appliances installed before 1 January 2026,

where such lifting appliances have a Safe Working Load (SWL) below 1,000 kg. Accordingly, the applicability of certain requirements for lifting appliances below this threshold may vary by Flag Administration. Shipowners and operators should therefore confirm Flag specific determinations and ensure that any such application is clearly documented and reflected in onboard records and Safety Management System procedures.

Requirements for Existing Vessels

For lifting appliances installed before 1 January 2026, SOLAS II-1/3-13 requires that they shall be tested and thoroughly examined, based on the Guidelines for lifting appliances MSC.1/Circ.1663 no later than the date of the first renewal survey on or after 1 January 2026.

This means that existing vessels are not required to comply immediately on entry into force, but compliance becomes mandatory at the first applicable renewal survey.

Key Compliance Elements

Under SOLAS II-1/3-13 and MSC.1/Circ.1663, shipowners and operators should expect requirements covering:

1. Testing and Examination

• Initial and periodic testing of lifting appliances

• Thorough examinations following installation, modification, or major repair

• Defined inspection intervals based on equipment type and use

2. Operation and Maintenance

• Lifting appliances to be operated within their certified limits

• Maintenance carried out in accordance with manufacturer instructions and recognized standards

• Defects or deficiencies to be recorded and rectified in a controlled manner

3. Documentation and Records

• Up-to-date records of tests, examinations, inspections, and maintenance

• Certificates and registers for lifting appliances and associated loose gear

• Documentation to be readily available for surveyors and auditors

4. Integration into the SMS

The operational provisions of the Guidelines clearly rely on controlled management processes typically addressed within an ISM compliant system.

In particular, the Guidelines set expectations for:

• Personnel qualification, familiarization, and authorization for operating lifting appliances

• Defined roles, responsibilities, and communication during lifting operations

• Planning, supervision, and execution of lifting operations to minimize identified risks

• Equipment-specific procedures and instructions, as set out in the operations manual

• Consideration of environmental, operational, and equipment limitations, including vessel motion, weather, SWL, and operating radius

• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment

• Inspection, maintenance, stowage, and securing of lifting appliances in accordance with manufacturer requirements and safe practices

In practice, these elements are normally controlled through company procedures, risk assessments, training and familiarization records, maintenance systems, and operational planning tools, all of which fall within the scope of an ISM compliant management system.

Accordingly, shipowners and operators should ensure that existing management system arrangements adequately cover the operational, training, planning, and maintenance expectations set out in MSC.1/Circ.1663, and that these arrangements are effectively implemented and evidenced on board.

Practical Considerations for Shipowners and Operators

As the renewal survey trigger approaches, companies should avoid treating lifting appliances as a purely technical or Class driven issue. In practice, compliance will require coordination between technical management, shipboard personnel, and SMS documentation.

Key considerations include:

• Identifying all lifting appliances and associated loose gear on board

• Confirming the testing and examination status ahead of renewal surveys

• Reviewing SMS procedures related to lifting operations and maintenance

• Ensuring crew are familiar with equipment limitations and reporting requirements

For vessels with multiple lifting appliances or aging equipment, early planning is essential to avoid delays or findings at renewal surveys.

How Marinetegrity Can Support

Marinetegrity Maritime Consultants supports owners and operators with:

• Interpretation of SOLAS II-1/3-13 and MSC.1/Circ.1663 requirements

• Gap assessments for onboard lifting appliances

• SMS procedure development and review

• Support in preparation for renewal surveys and audits

Our approach focuses on practical compliance and risk reduction, ensuring lifting appliances are addressed consistently across technical, operational, and safety management systems.

References

• SOLAS Convention, Chapter II-1, Regulation 3-13

• MSC.1/Circ.1663 – Guidelines for Lifting Appliances