1.1.1 The Code applies to ships regardless of
their size, including those of less than 500 gross tonnage, engaged
in the carriage of liquefied gases having a vapour pressure exceeding
0.28 MPa absolute at a temperature of 37.8°C and other products,
as shown in chapter 19, when carried in bulk.
1.1.2.1 Unless expressly provided otherwise, the
Code applies to ships whose keels are laid, or which are at a similar
stage of construction where:
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.1 construction identifiable with the ship begins;
and
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.2 assembly of that ship has commenced, comprising
at least 50 tonnes or 1% of the estimated mass of all structural material,
whichever is less,
on or after 1 July 2016.
1.1.2.2 For the purpose of the Code, the expression
"ships constructed" means ships the keels of which are laid or which
are at a similar stage of construction.
1.1.2.3 Unless expressly provided otherwise, for
ships constructed on or after 1 July 1986 and before 1 July 2016,
the Administration shall ensure that the requirements which are applicable
under this Code, as adopted by resolution MSC.5(48) as amended by
resolutions MSC.17(58), MSC.30(61),
MSC.32(63), MSC.59(67), MSC.103(73),
MSC.177(79) and MSC.220(82), are complied with.
1.1.3 ship, irrespective of the date of construction,
which is converted to a gas carrier on or after 1 July 2016, shall
be treated as a gas carrier constructed on the date on which such
conversion commences.
1.1.4.1 When cargo tanks contain products for
which the Code requires a type 1G ship, neither flammable liquids
having a flashpoint of 60°C (closed cup test) or less, nor flammable
products listed in chapter 19, shall be carried in tanks located within
the protective zones described in 2.4.1.1.
1.1.4.2 Similarly, when cargo tanks contain products
for which the Code requires a type 2G/2PG ship, the flammable liquids
as described in 1.1.4.1, shall not be carried in tanks located within
the protective zones described in 2.4.1.2.
1.1.4.3 In each case, for cargo tanks loaded with
products for which the Code requires a type 1G or 2G/2PG ship, the
restriction applies to the protective zones within the longitudinal
extent of the hold spaces for those tanks.
1.1.4.4 The flammable liquids and products described
in 1.1.4.1 may be carried within these protective zones when the quantity
of products retained in the cargo tanks, for which the Code requires
a type 1G or 2G/2PG ship is solely used for cooling, circulation or
fuelling purposes.
1.1.6.1 Where it is proposed to carry products
that may be considered to come within the scope of this Code that
are not at present designated in chapter 19, the Administration and
the port Administrations involved in such carriage shall establish
a Tripartite Agreement based on a provisional assessment and lay down
preliminary suitable conditions of carriage based on the principles
of the Code.
1.1.6.2 For the evaluation of such products, the
manufacturer of the product shall submit to the Administration a completed
assessment form (see appendix 1), which includes the proposed ship
type and carriage requirements.
1.1.6.3 When a provisional assessment for a pure
or technically pure product has been completed and agreed with the
other parties, the Administration shall submit the assessment form
and a proposal for a new and complete entry in the IGC
Code, to the relevant sub-committee of the Organization (see
appendix 1).
1.1.6.4 After provisional assessment by Tripartite
Agreement and express or tacit agreement has been established, an
addendum to the relevant ship's certificate may be issued (see appendix
3).
1.1.7.1 The requirements of this Code shall take
precedence when a ship is designed and constructed for the carriage
of the following products:
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.1 those listed exclusively in chapter 19 of the
Code; and
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.2 one or more of the products that are listed
both in the Code and in the International Bulk Chemical
Code. These products are marked with an asterisk in column
"a" in the table contained within chapter 19.
1.1.7.2 When a ship is intended to exclusively
carry one or more of the products referred to in 1.1.7.1.2, the requirements
of the International Bulk Chemical Code, as
amended, shall apply.
1.1.8 The ship's compliance with the requirements
of the International Gas Carrier Code shall
be shown by its International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage
of Liquefied Gases in Bulk, as described in 1.4.
Compliance with the amendments to the Code, as appropriate, shall
also be indicated in the International Certificate of Fitness for
the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk.
1.1.9 Where reference is made in the Code to a
paragraph, all the provisions of the subparagraph of that designation
shall apply.
1.1.10 When a ship is intended to operate for
periods at a fixed location in a re-gasification and gas discharge
mode or a gas receiving, processing, liquefaction and storage mode,
the Administration and port Administrations involved in the operation
shall take appropriate steps to ensure implementation of the provisions
of the Code as are applicable to the proposed arrangements. Furthermore,
additional requirements shall be established based on the principles
of the Code as well as recognized standards that address specific
risks not envisaged by it. Such risks may include, but not be limited
to:
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.1 fire and explosion;
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.2 evacuation;
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.3 extension of hazardous areas;
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.4 pressurized gas discharge to shore;
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.5 high-pressure gas venting;
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.6 process upset conditions;
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.7 storage and handling of flammable refrigerants;
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.8 continuous presence of liquid and vapour cargo
outside the cargo containment system;
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.9 tank over-pressure and under-pressure;
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.10 ship-to-ship transfer of liquid cargo; and
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.11 collision risk during berthing manoeuvres.
1.1.11 Where a risk assessment or study of similar
intent is utilized within the Code, the results shall also include,
but not be limited to, the following as evidence of effectiveness:
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.1 description of methodology and standards applied;
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.2 potential variation in scenario interpretation
or sources of error in the study;
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.3 validation of the risk assessment process by
an independent and suitable third party;
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.4 quality system under which the risk assessment
was developed;
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.5 the source, suitability and validity of data
used within the assessment;
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.6 the knowledge base of persons involved within
the assessment;
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.7 system of distribution of results to relevant
parties; and
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.8 validation of results by an independent and
suitable third party.
1.1.12 Although the Code is legally treated as
a mandatory instrument under the SOLAS Convention,
the provisions of section 4.28 and appendices 1, 3 and 4 of the Code
are recommendatory or informative.