Annex - Amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolution MSC.500(105) - Amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code - (Adopted on 28 April 2022) - Annex - Amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code

Annex - Amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code

Table of contents

For "Section 7", replace the text to read "Cargoes which may liquefy or undergo dynamic separation".

For "Section 8", replace the text to read "Test procedures for group A cargoes".

Section 1 - General provisions

1.7 Definitions

In the definition for "GHS", replace the word "seventh" with the word "ninth" and replace "ST/SG/AC.10/30/Rev.7" with "ST/SG/AC.10/30/Rev.9".

In the definition for "Group A", replace the text to read "Group A consists of cargoes which 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."

In the definition for "Group C", replace the text to read "Group C consists of cargoes which are classified as neither group A nor group B."

In the definition for "Manual of Tests and Criteria", replace the definition to read "Manual of Tests and Criteria means the seventh revised edition of the United Nations publication entitled Manual of Tests and Criteria (ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev.7 and Amend.1)."

In the definition for "Transportable moisture limit (TML)", replace the text to read "Transportable moisture limit (TML) of a group A cargo means the maximum moisture content of the cargo which is considered safe for carriage in ships not complying with the special provisions of 7.3.2. It is determined by the test procedures, approved by a competent authority, such as those specified in paragraph 1 of appendix 2."

Add the following new definitions in alphabetical order:

"Cargoes which may undergo dynamic separation means cargoes which contain a certain proportion of fine particles and a certain amount of moisture, and may undergo dynamic separation if shipped at a moisture content in excess of their transportable moisture limit."

"Dynamic separation means 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."

Section 4 - Assessment of acceptability of consignments for safe shipment

4.1 Identification and classification

In 4.1.4, replace the words "Manual of Tests and Criteria" with the words "Manual of Tests and Criteria".

4.2 Provision of information

In 4.2.2.9, replace the existing text to read as follows:

  • "additional information in the form of a certificate on the moisture content of the cargo and its transportable moisture limit in the case of a group A cargo;".

In 4.2.3, in the table for "Form for cargo information for solid bulk cargoes", in the "Group of the cargo" box, delete the asterisks and the corresponding footnote text "For cargoes which may liquefy (group A and group A and B cargoes)". Under "Transportable moisture limit", add the words "For group A and B and group A cargoes". Under "Moisture content at shipment", add the words "For group A and B and group A cargoes".

4.3 Certificates of test

In 4.3.2, replace the first sentence to read as follows:

  • "When a group A cargo is carried, the shipper shall provide the ship's master or his representative with a signed certificate of the TML, and a signed certificate or declaration of the moisture content, each issued by an entity recognized by the competent authority of the port of loading."

In 4.3.3, replace the first sentence to read as follows:

  • "When a group A cargo is carried, procedures for sampling, testing and controlling moisture content to ensure the moisture content is less than the TML when it is on board the ship shall be established by the shipper, taking account of the provisions of this Code."

In 4.3.5, replace the first sentence to read as follows:

  • "When a group A cargo is to be loaded into more than one cargo space of a ship, the certificate or the declaration of moisture content shall certify the moisture content of each type of finely grained material loaded into each cargo space."

4.4 Sampling procedures

In 4.4.3, replace the existing text with the following:

  • "For a group A cargo, the shipper shall facilitate access to stockpiles for the purpose of inspection, sampling and subsequent testing by the ship's nominated representative."

4.8 Documentation required on board the ship carrying dangerous goods

In 4.8.3, after the words "SOLAS regulation II-2/19.4", add the words "(or II-2/54.3)footnote", and add a corresponding footnote, as follows:

Section 7 - Cargoes which may liquefy

In the heading for "Section 7", replace the words "Cargoes which may liquefy" with the words "Cargoes which may liquefy or undergo dynamic separation".

7.1 Introduction

In 7.1.1, replace the existing text with the following:

  • "The purpose of this section is to bring to the attention of masters and others with responsibilities for the loading and carriage of bulk cargoes, the risks associated with liquefaction or dynamic separation and the precautions to minimize the risk. Such cargoes may appear to be in a relatively dry granular state when loaded, and yet may contain sufficient moisture to become fluid or unstable under the stimulus of compaction and the vibration which occurs during a voyage."

In 7.1.3, replace the existing text with the following:

  • "Some group A cargoes may also heat spontaneously."

7.3 Provisions for cargoes that may liquefy

In the heading for 7.3, replace the words "Provisions for cargoes that may liquefy" with the words "Provisions for cargoes which may liquefy or undergo dynamic separation".

7.3.1 General

In 7.3.1.1, replace the existing text with the following:

  • "Group A cargoes shall only be accepted for loading when the actual moisture content of the cargo is less than its TML. Notwithstanding this provision, cargoes having moisture content in excess of the TML may be carried on a specially constructed or fitted cargo ship for confining cargo shift specified in 7.3.2."

In 7.3.1.2, replace the existing text with the following:

  • "Notwithstanding the provisions in 1.4 of this Code, the requirements in 4.2.2.9, 4.2.2.10, 4.3.2 to 4.3.5, 4.5, 4.6 and 8 of this Code need not apply to a group A cargo provided that the cargo is carried on a specially constructed or fitted cargo ship for confining cargo shift specified in 7.3.2 or on a specially constructed ship for dry powdery cargoes specified in 7.3.3."

Section 8 - Test procedures for cargoes which may liquefy

In the heading for "Section 8", replace the words "Test procedures for cargoes which may liquefy" with the words "Test procedures for group A cargoes".

Section 9 - Materials possessing chemical hazards

9.2 Hazard classification

9.2.3 Materials hazardous only in bulk (MHB)

9.2.3.2 Combustible solids: MHB (CB)

In 9.2.3.2.2, replace the word "33.2.1.4.3.1" with the word "33.2.4.3.1".

9.2.3.3 Self-heating solids: MHB (SH)

In 9.2.3.3.2, replace the word "33.3.1.6" with the word "33.4.6".

In 9.2.3.3.3, replace the word "33.4.1.4.3.5" with the word "33.5.4.3.5".

9.2.3.4 Solids that evolve flammable gas when wet: MHB (WF)

In 9.2.3.4.2, replace the word "33.4.1" with the word "33.5".

9.2.3.5 Solids that evolve toxic gas when wet: MHB (WT)

In 9.2.3.5.2, replace the word "33.4.1" with the word "33.5".

9.2.3.7 Corrosive solids: MHB (CR)

In 9.2.3.7.3, replace the existing text with the following:

  • "A material shall be classified as MHB when the corrosion rate on a steel surface is between 4 mm and 6.25 mm a year at a test temperature of 55°C. For the purposes of testing steel, type S235JR+CR (1.0037 resp. St 37-2), S275J2G3+CR (1.0144 resp. St 44-3), ISO 3574:1999, Unified Numbering Systems (UNS) G10200 or SAE 1020 shall be used. An acceptable test is prescribed in the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria, part III, section 37. A representative sample of the cargo shall be tested at typical as-shipped cargo conditions, including moisture content by mass, bulk density, particle size distribution and atmospheric conditions. The assessment of localized corrosion occurring upon the steel surface shall be performed using national or international standards. The test shall be conducted taking into account the guidance developed by the Organization.footnote",

and add a corresponding footnote, as follows:

Parent topic: Resolution MSC.500(105) - Amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code - (Adopted on 28 April 2022)
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