2.2 Freeboard and stability
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolution MSC.370(93) – Amendments to The International Code for The Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases In Bulk (IGC Code) – (Adopted on 22 May 2014) - Annex - Amendments to The International Code for The Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases In Bulk (IGC Code) - Chapter 2 — Ship Survival Capability and Location of Cargo Tanks - 2.2 Freeboard and stability

2.2 Freeboard and stability

  2.2.1 Ships subject to the Code may be assigned the minimum freeboard permitted by the International Convention on Load Lines in force. However, the draught associated with the assignment shall not be greater than the maximum draught otherwise permitted by this Code.

  2.2.2 The stability of the ship, in all seagoing conditions and during loading and unloading cargo, shall comply with the requirements of the International Code on Intact Stabilityfootnote This includes partial filling and loading and unloading at sea, when applicable. Stability during ballast water operations shall fulfil stability criteria.

  2.2.3 When calculating the effect of free surfaces of consumable liquids for loading conditions, it shall be assumed that, for each type of liquid, at least one transverse pair or a single centre tank has a free surface. The tank or combination of tanks to be taken into account shall be those where the effect of free surfaces is the greatest. The free surface effect in undamaged compartments shall be calculated by a method according to the International Code on Intact Stability.

  2.2.4 Solid ballast shall not normally be used in double bottom spaces in the cargo area. Where, however, because of stability considerations, the fitting of solid ballast in such spaces becomes unavoidable, its disposition shall be governed by the need to enable access for inspection and to ensure that the impact loads resulting from bottom damage are not directly transmitted to the cargo tank structure.

  2.2.5 The master of the ship shall be supplied with a loading and stability information booklet. This booklet shall contain details of typical service conditions, loading, unloading and ballasting operations, provisions for evaluating other conditions of loading and a summary of the ship's survival capabilities. The booklet shall also contain sufficient information to enable the master to load and operate the ship in a safe and seaworthy manner.

  2.2.6 All ships, subject to the Code shall be fitted with a stability instrument, capable of verifying compliance with intact and damage stability requirements, approved by the Administration having regard to the performance standards recommended by the Organizationfootnote.

  • .1 ships constructed before 1 July 2016 shall comply with this paragraph at the first scheduled renewal survey of the ship after 1 July 2016 but not later than 1 July 2021;

  • .2 notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 2.2.6.1 a stability instrument installed on a ship constructed before 1 July 2016 need not be replaced provided it is capable of verifying compliance with intact and damage stability, to the satisfaction of the Administration; and

  • .3 for the purposes of control under SOLAS regulation XI-1/4, the Administration shall issue a document of approval for the stability instrument.

  2.2.7 The Administration may waive the requirements of paragraph 2.2.6 for the following ships, provided the procedures employed for intact and damage stability verification maintain the same degree of safety, as being loaded in accordance with the approved conditionsfootnote. Any such waiver shall be duly noted on the International Certificate of Fitness referred to in paragraph 1.4.4:

  • .1 ships which are on a dedicated service, with a limited number of permutations of loading such that all anticipated conditions have been approved in the stability information provided to the master in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 2.2.5;

  • .2 ships where stability verification is made remotely by a means approved by the Administration;

  • .3 ships which are loaded within an approved range of loading conditions; or

  • .4 ships constructed before 1 July 2016 provided with approved limiting KG/GM curves covering all applicable intact and damage stability requirements.

  2.2.8 Conditions of loading

 Damage survival capability shall be investigated on the basis of loading information submitted to the Administration for all anticipated conditions of loading and variations in draught and trim. This shall include ballast and, where applicable, cargo heel.

Parent topic: Chapter 2 — Ship Survival Capability and Location of Cargo Tanks
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