Inert Gas Systems, 1990 Edition (I860E)

These guidelines are based on current general practice used in the design and operation of inert gas systems and incorporate amendments adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee at its 42nd, 48th and 50th sessions. They include provisions of the 1974 SOLAS Convention covering application and technical requirements, together with recent developments on regulations for chemical tankers.

Foreword

1 This publication contains the text of guidelines for inert gas systems and relevant IMO documents on inert gas systems and supersedes the publication 860 83.15.E. Provisions of the SOLAS Convention covering application and technical requirements for inert gas systems, together with recent developments and regulations for inert gas systems on chemical tankers are included with a view to setting out the framework as well as details of international requirements for inert gas systems.

Part I: Guidelines for Inert Gas Systems

2 The International Conference on Tanker Safety and Pollution Prevention, 1978, with resolution 5, requested the Organization to re-examine the requirements relating to inert gas systems in regulation ll-2/64 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, and to develop guidelines to supplement the requirements of that regulation.

3 The Maritime Safety Committee at its forty-second session approved the Guidelines for Inert Gas Systems (MSC/Circ.282), and at its forty-eighth session adopted amendments to sections 8 and 12 of the Guidelines (MSC/Circ.353). Furthermore, the Maritime Safety Committee at its fiftieth session adopted revised section 5.5 – cargo discharge – of the revised Guidelines (MSC/Circ.387). This part provides the text of the Guidelines for Inert Gas Systems which incorporates all these amendments.

Part II: Provisions of application

4 Provisions of application for inert gas systems in the 1974 SOLAS Convention were modified by the 1978 SOLAS Protocol and amended by the 1981 and 1983 amendments. This part contains all the relevant provisions of application as well as clarification of application of inert gas system requirements developed by the Maritime Safety Committee at its fifty-fifth session (MSC/Circ.485).

Part III: Provisions of technical requirements

5 Technical requirements for inert gas systems in the 1974 SOLAS Convention were amended substantially by the 1981 amendments and to a lesser extent by the 1983 amendments. These technical requirements which are to be applied under the provisions of the SOLAS Convention are contained in this part.

Part IV: Regulations for inert gas systems on chemical tankers

6 Regulations ll-2/60 of the 1978 SOLAS Protocol require new and existing chemical tankers of a certain size, when carrying petroleum products, to be fitted with a fixed inert gas system at specific dates. The Assembly as its twelfth session, recognizing the unique features of chemical tankers, adopted the Interim regulation for inert gas systems on chemical tankers carrying petroleum products (resolution A.473(XII)), and urged Governments concerned, under the provisions of regulation 1/5 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, to apply to chemical tankers as appropriate the Interim regulation as equivalent to ll-2/62 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.

7 The Assembly at its fourteenth session, recognizing that the extension of the regulation in resolution A.473(XII)) to cover the carriage of petroleum and other liquid products would be desirable, adopted resolution A.567(14), the regulation for inert gas systems on chemical tankers, which supersedes resolution A.473(XII).

8 The Assembly at its fourteenth session also adopted draft amendments to regulation ll-2/55.5 on the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (resolution A.566(14)). These amendments were subsequently adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee at its fifty-seventh session and included in the 1989 set of amendments to the SOLAS Convention expected to enter into force on 1 February 1992 and the resolution is also contained in this part.

Part V: Application of requirements for inert gas systems for oil tankers by port authorities and terminal operators (MSC.Circ.329)

9 At the forty-sixth session of the Maritime Safety Committee, concern was expressed on the stringent oxygen levels insisted on by some terminal operators and port authorities for inerted cargo tanks of oil tankers, and their reluctance to allow the opening of inerted tanks for dipping, measuring and sampling. The Committee, in MSC/Circ.329, noting the concern, urged Governments to encourage port authorities and terminal operators to comply with international requirements.

Part 1 – Guidelines for Inert Gas Systems

(MSC/Circ.282 as amended by MSC/Circ.353 and MSC/Circ.387)

Part 2 – Provisions of Application

1. 1974 SOLAS Convention
2. 1978 SOLAS Protocol
3. 1981 Amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention
4. 1983 Amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention
5. Clarification of inert gas system requirements under SOLAS 1974, as amended (MSC/Circ.485)

Part 3 – Provisions of Technical Requirements

1. 1974 SOLAS Convention
2. 1981 Amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention
3. 1983 Amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention

Part 4 – Regulations for Inert Gas Systems on Chemical Tankers

1. Regulation for inert gas systems on chemical tankers (resolution A.567(14))
2. Draft Amendment to regulation II-2/55.5 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (resolution A.566(14))

Part 5 – Application of Requirements for Inert Gas Systems for Oil Tankers by Port Authorities and Terminal Operators (MSC/Circ.329)

A??s a specialized agency of the United Nations, 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.