1 General

  1.1.1 The Code shall apply to all self-propelled bulk carriers of 500 gross tonnage and above other than double-side skin bulk carriers as defined in paragraph paragraph 1.2.1 of part B of annex A.

  1.1.2 The Code should apply to surveys of hull structure and piping systems in way of cargo holds, cofferdams, pipe tunnels, void spaces, fuel oil tanks, within the cargo length area and all ballast tanks.

  1.1.3 The Code contains the minimum extent of examination, thickness measurements and tank testing. The survey should be extended when substantial corrosion and/or structural defects are found and include additional close-up survey when necessary.

  1.1.4 Ships subject to compliance with regulation XII/6.1 of the Convention should be subject to the additional thickness measurement guidance contained in annex 11.

  1.1.5 Ships subject to compliance with resolution MSC.168(79) shall be subject to the additional thickness measurement guidance contained in annex 15.

  1.1.6 For bulk carriers with hybrid cargo hold arrangements, e.g. with some cargo holds of single-side skin and others of double-side skin, the requirements of part B of annex A shall apply to cargo holds of double-side skin and associated wing spaces.

  1.1.7 The surveys should be carried out during the surveys prescribed by regulation I/10 of the Convention, unless expressly provided otherwise in this Code.

  1.2.1 Bulk carrier is a ship which is constructed generally with single deck, topside tanks and hopper side tanks in cargo spaces, and is intended primarily to carry dry cargo in bulk and includes combination carriers.

  1.2.2 Ballast tank is a tank which is used for salt water ballast, or, where applicable, a space which is used for both cargo and salt water ballast will be treated as a ballast tank when substantial corrosion has been found in that space.

  1.2.3 Spaces are separate compartments including holds, tanks, cofferdams and void spaces bounding cargo holds, decks and the outer hull.

  1.2.4 Overall survey is a survey intended to report on the overall condition of the hull structure and determine the extent of additional close-up surveys.

  1.2.5 Close-up survey is a survey where the details of structural components are within the close visual inspection range of the surveyor, i.e. normally within reach of hand.

  1.2.6 Transverse section is the cross section of the hull perpendicular to the ship's centreline and includes all longitudinal members such as plating, longitudinals and girders at the deck, side and bottom, inner bottom and hopper side plating, longitudinal bulkheads, and bottom plating in top wing tanks. For transversely framed bulk carriers, a transverse section includes adjacent frames and their end connections in way of transverse sections.

  1.2.7 Representative spaces are those which are expected to reflect the condition of other spaces of similar type and service and with similar corrosion prevention systems. When selecting representative spaces account should be taken of the service and repair history on board and identifiable critical structural areas and/or suspect areas.

  1.2.8 Suspect areas are locations showing substantial corrosion and/or are considered by the surveyor to be prone to rapid wastage.

  1.2.9 Substantial corrosion is an extent of corrosion such that assessment of corrosion pattern indicates wastage in excess of 75% of allowable margins, but within acceptable limits. For ships built under the IACS Common Structural Rules, substantial corrosion is an extent of corrosion such that the assessment of the corrosion pattern indicates a measured thickness between t_ren + 0.5mm and t_ren. Renewal thickness (t_ren) is the minimum allowable thickness, in mm, below which renewal of structural members is to be carried out.

  1.2.10 A corrosion prevention system is normally considered a full hard protective coating. Hard protective coating should usually be epoxy coating or equivalent. Other coating systems, which are neither soft nor semi-hard coatings, may be considered acceptable as alternatives provided that they are applied and maintained in compliance with the manufacturer's specifications.

  1.2.11 Coating condition is defined as follows:

  1.2.12 Critical structural areas are locations which have been identified from calculations to require monitoring or from the service history of the subject ship or from similar or sister ships to be sensitive to cracking, buckling or corrosion which would impair the structural integrity of the ship.

  1.2.13 Cargo length area is that part of the ship which includes cargo holds and adjacent areas including fuel tanks, cofferdams, ballast tanks and void spaces.

  1.2.14 Intermediate survey is a survey carried out either at the second or third annual survey or between these surveys.

  1.2.15 A prompt and thorough repair is a permanent repair completed at the time of survey to the satisfaction of the surveyor, therein removing the need for the imposition of any associated condition of classification or recommendation.

  1.2.16 Convention means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.

  1.2.17 Special consideration or specially considered (in connection with close-up surveys and thickness measurements) means sufficient close-up inspection and thickness measurements are taken to confirm the actual average condition of the structure under the coating.

  1.2.18 Pitting corrosion is defined as scattered corrosion spots/areas with local material reductions which are greater than the general corrosion in the surrounding area. Pitting intensity is defined in figure 1.

  1.2.19 Edge corrosion is defined as local material loss at the free edges of plates, stiffeners, primary support members and around openings. An example of edge corrosion is shown in figure 2.

  1.2.20 Grooving corrosion is typically local material loss adjacent to weld joints along abutting stiffeners and at stiffener or plate butts or seams. An example of groove corrosion is shown in figure 3.

  1.2.21 Administration means the Administration or organization recognized by the Administration.

Figure 1: Pitting intensity diagrams

Figure 2: Edge corrosion

Figure 3: Grooving corrosion

  1.3.1 Any damage in association with wastage over the allowable limits (including buckling, grooving, detachment or fracture), or extensive areas of wastage over the allowable limits, which affects or, in the opinion of the Administration, will affect the ship's structural, watertight or weathertight integrity, should be promptly and thoroughly (see 1.2.15) repaired. Areas to be considered include:

• .1 side structure and side plating;

• .2 deck structure and deck plating;

• .3 bottom structure and bottom plating;

• .4 inner bottom structure and inner bottom plating;

• .5 inner side structure and inner side plating;

• .6 watertight or oiltight bulkheads;

• .7 hatch covers or hatch coamings; and

• .8 items in 3.3.10.

For locations where adequate repair facilities are not available, the Administration may allow the ship to proceed directly to a repair facility. This may require discharging the cargo and/or temporary repairs for the intended voyage.

  1.3.2 Additionally, when a survey results in the identification of corrosion or structural defects, either of which, in the opinion of the Administration, will impair the ship's fitness for continued service, remedial measures should be implemented before the ship continues in service.

  1.3.3 Where the damage found on the structure mentioned in paragraph 1.3.1 above is isolated and of a localized nature which does not affect the ship's structural integrity (as for example a minor hole in a cross-deck strip), consideration may be given by the surveyor to allow an appropriate temporary repair to restore watertight or weathertight integrity after evaluation of the surrounding structure and impose an associated condition or recommendation with a specific time limit in order to complete the permanent repair and retain the validity of the relevant statutory certification.

 1.4.1 On bulk carriers of 20,000 tonnes deadweight (dwt) and above starting with renewal survey No.3, at renewal and intermediate hull surveys, the survey of hull structure and piping systems to which this Code applies shall be carried out by at least two surveyors of an Administration. On bulk carriers of 100,000 dwt and above of single-side skin construction at the intermediate hull survey between 10 and 15 years of age, the survey of hull structure and piping systems to which this Code applies shall be performed by at least two surveyors.

 1.4.2 This requires that at least two surveyors attend on board at the same time to perform the required survey. Though each attending surveyor is not required to perform all aspects of the required survey, they shall consult with each other and do joint overall and close-up surveys to the extent necessary to determine the condition of the vessel areas to which this Code applies. The extent of these surveys shall be sufficient for the surveyors to agree on actions required to complete the survey with respect to renewals, repairs, and other recommendations or conditions. Each surveyor shall co-sign the survey report or indicate their concurrence in an equivalent manner.

 In any kind of survey, i.e. renewal, intermediate, annual or other surveys having the scope of the foregoing ones, for structures in areas where close-up surveys are required, thickness measurements, when required by annex 2, shall be carried out simultaneously with close-up surveys.