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IMSBC CODE AMENDMENTS 06-21 – WHAT IS CHANGING?
Published: 1 June 2023
The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code has been amended. The recent amendments include revisions to existing schedules for solid bulk cargoes and also some revised definitions.
WHEN IS IT CHANGING?
Voluntarily since 1 January 2023
Mandatory from 1 December 2023
DETAILS OF THE MAJOR CHANGES
There is a revised definition for Group A cargoes, which now includes dynamic separation, as well as liquefaction. Dynamic separation is defined as: “the phenomenon of forming a liquid slurry (water and fine solids) above the solid material, resulting in a free surface effect which may significantly affect the ship’s stability.”
The definition of a Group A cargo under the Code is now: “Group A consists of cargoes which may possess a hazard due to moisture that may result in liquefaction or dynamic separation if shipped at a moisture content in excess of their transportable moisture limit.”
AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILISER (NON-HAZARDOUS)
The existing schedule has been removed and is replaced by two new schedules:
- AMMONIUM BASED FERTILISER – GROUP C: covers straight nitrogen based fertilisers and compounds that fall within defined composition limits.
- AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILISER MHB – GROUP B: material that has not been assigned a UN number but is classified as a Material Hazardous only in Bulk (MHB). Cargoes that are listed as MHB are those that have hazards not found in the IMDG code (hazardous goods in packaged form) and are only hazardous in bulk form.
SUPERPHOSPHATE (TRIPLE GRANULAR)
The existing schedule has been changed and the new amendments to the Code have redesignated this cargo as Group B. This change has been brought about as it has been noted that the dust of this cargo is corrosive to eyes. Group B cargoes should be individually listed on the vessel’s Document of Compliance (DoC) to allow carriage. Therefore, it should be checked before loading if the vessel’s DoC permits carriage of the proposed cargo, if not, the Recognised Organisation issuing the certificate should be consulted. Where carriage is permitted by the DoC, any notes in relation to the particular cargo concerned should be complied with. Masters are to ensure that they are familiar with the changes to this schedule before loading.
CLAM SHELL
A new schedule that has been added to Appendix 1 of the Code following these amendments. Clam Shell is defined as a Group C cargo under the Code and is a by-product that is generated from the clam farming process. This schedule only applies to whole clam shells.
LEACH RESIDUE CONTAINING LEAD
This has also been added as a new schedule to Appendix 1 of the Code. This cargo sits within both Groups A and B and is therefore liable to liquefy/dynamically separate and is known to possess chemical hazards.
For details on the hazards, precautions and other carriage requirements for these new or amended schedules, the IMSBC Code should be consulted. For any further guidance, feel free to contact the Loss Prevention department lossprevention@tindallriley.com.