1 The purpose of this Code is to provide an international
standard for the safe carriage, by sea in bulk, of liquefied gases
and certain other substances that are listed in chapter 19. Through
consideration of the products carried, it prescribes the design and
construction standards of the ships involved and the equipment they
should carry to minimize the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment.
2 The basic philosophy is one of ship types related
to the hazards of the products covered by the Code. Each of the products
may have one or more hazard properties, which include flammability,
toxicity, corrosivity and reactivity. A further possible hazard may
arise where products are transported under cryogenic or pressure conditions.
3 Severe collisions or strandings could lead to
cargo tank damage and result in uncontrolled release of the product.
Such a release could result in evaporation and dispersion of the product
and, in some cases, could cause brittle fracture of the ship's hull.
The requirements in the Code are intended to minimize this risk as
far as is practicable, based upon present knowledge and technology.
4 Throughout the development of the Code, it was
recognized that it must be based on sound naval architectural and
engineering principles and the best understanding available as to
the hazards of the various products covered. Gas carrier design technology
is not only a complex technology but is rapidly evolving and the Code
shall not remain static. The Organization will periodically review
the Code, continually taking into account both experience and future
development.
5 Requirements for new products and their conditions
of carriage will be circulated as recommendations, on an interim basis,
when adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the Organization,
prior to the entry into force of the appropriate amendments, under
the terms of article VIII of
the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974.
6 The Code primarily deals with ship design and
equipment. To ensure the safe transport of the products the total
system must, however, be appraised. Other important facets of the
safe transport of the products, such as training, operation, traffic
control and handling in port, are being or will be examined further
by the Organization.
7 The development of the Code has been greatly
assisted by a number of organizations in consultative status, such
as the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators
Limited (SIGTTO) and other organizations, such as members of the International
Association of Classification Societies (IACS).
8 Chapter 18 of the Code dealing with operation
of liquefied gas carriers highlights the regulations in other chapters
that are operational in nature and mentions those other important
safety features that are peculiar to gas carrier operations.
9 The layout of the Code is in line with the International
Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous
Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), adopted by the
Maritime Safety Committee at its forty-eighth session. Gas carriers
may also carry in bulk liquid chemicals covered by the IBC
Code, as prescribed in the IGC Code.
10 Floating production, storage and offloading
(FPSO) facilities, which are designed to handle liquefied gases in
bulk, do not fall under the IGC Code. However, designers of such units
may consider using the IGC Code to the extent
that the Code provides the most appropriate risk mitigation measures
for the operations the unit is to perform. Where other more appropriate
risk mitigation measures are determined that are contrary to this
Code, they shall take precedence over the Code.