1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-seventh
(12 to 21 May 2010) session, noted concerns that the provisions of
SOLAS chapter VI, regulation 7 (Loading,
unloading and stowage of solid bulk cargoes), and the Code of Practice
for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code) are
not being universally applied. In particular, the Committee noted
that these concerns may be attributed to the lack of a mutual agreement
between terminal representatives and masters on appropriate loading
and unloading rates for solid bulk cargoes to prevent over-stressing
of the ship's structure. In addition, the Committee noted that an
agreed loading/unloading plan between the terminal representative
and master is a mandatory requirement under SOLAS
regulation VI/7.3.
2 The Committee recognized the need to provide
further guidance to supplement the Code of practice for the safe loading
and unloading of bulk carriers (BLU Code)
and agreed to the Additional considerations for the safe loading of
bulk carriers, set out in the annex.
3 The Committee further noted IACS Recommendation
No.46, which provides relevant guidance and information on bulk cargo
loading and discharging to reduce the likelihood of over-stressing
the hull structure for bulk carriers.
4 The Committee urges Member Governments, terminal
representatives, shipowners, ship operators, ship masters, ship charterers,
shippers, receivers and other relevant parties to consider IACS Recommendation
No.46 and the annexed Additional consideration for the safe loading
of bulk carriers when developing an agreed loading or unloading plan
in accordance with SOLAS regulation VI/7 and
the BLU Code (resolution A.862(20), as amended).