IMSBC Code and Supplement - 2023 Edition, incorporating amendment 07-23 (KL260E)

This publication also presents additional information that supplements the IMSBC Code, such as the Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code, including BLU Manual) and Recommendations on the safe use of pesticides in ships applicable to the fumigation of cargo holds. The IMSBC Code and supplement is commended to Administrations, shipowners, shippers and masters and all others concerned with the standards to be applied in the safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes, excluding grain.

TThe primary aim of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code), which replaces the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code), is to facilitate the safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes by providing information on the dangers associated with the shipment of certain types of solid bulk cargoes and instructions on the procedures to be adopted when the shipment of solid bulk cargoes is contemplated. The IMSBC Code, adopted on 4 December 2008 by resolution MSC.268(85), entered into force on 1 January 2011, from which date it was made mandatory under the provisions of the SOLAS Convention. The Code has been amended by resolutions adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee, the most recent being resolution MSC.539(107), incorporating Amendment 07-23, which may be applied from 1 January 2024 on a voluntary basis, and has an official entry into force on 1 January 2025.

In order to keep pace with the expansion and progress of industry, the IMSBC Code, as amended, includes:

• Modifications to various existing individual schedules for solid bulk cargoes.
• New individual schedules for such cargoes as baryte, flotation chemical grade; brown fused alumina; crushed granodiorite fines; direct reduced iron (D) (by-product fines with moisture content of at least 2%); dunite; dunite fines; electric arc furnace dust, pelletized; fish meal (fish scrap), stabilized, anti-oxidant treated; ground granulated blast furnace slag powder; magnesite fines; potassium nitrate; sodium nitrate; and sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate mixture.

This publication presents additional information to supplement the IMSBC Code, such as the Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code), the Manual on loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes for terminal representatives (BLU Manual) and recommendations on the safe use of pesticides in ships applicable to the fumigation of cargo holds. It also includes a directory of contact names and addresses of offices of designated national competent authorities responsible for the safe carriage of grain and solid bulk cargoes. The IMSBC Code and supplement is commended to Administrations, shipowners, shippers and masters and all others concerned with the standards to be applied in the safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes, excluding grain.

Foreword

Section 1 General provisions

Section 2 General loading, carriage and unloading precautions

Section 3 Safety of personal and ship

Section 4 Assessment of acceptability of consignments for safe shipment

Section 5 Trimming procedures

Section 6 Methods of determining the angle of repose

Section 7 Cargoes that may liquefy

Section 8 Test procedures for cargoes that may liquefy

Section 9 Materials possessing chemical hazards

Section 10 Carriage of solid wastes in bulk

Section 11 Security provisions

Section 12 Stowage factor conversion tables

Section 13 References to related information and recommendations

Appendix 1 Individual schedules of sold bulk cargoes

Appendix 2 Laboratory test procedures, associated apparatus and standards

Appendix 3 Properties of solid bulk cargoes

Appendix 4 Index

IMO

As a specialised agency of the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.

In other words, its role is to create a level playing field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.

Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis. And IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.