International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974

Chapter VICarriage of cargoes and oil fuels

Regulation 2

Cargo information

1 The shipper shall provide the master or his representative with appropriate information on the cargo sufficiently in advance of loading to enable the precautions which may be necessary for proper stowage and safe carriage of the cargo to be put into effect. Such information* shall be confirmed in writingt and by appropriate shipping documents prior to loading the cargo on the ship.

2 The cargo information shall include:

.1 in the case of general cargo, and of cargo carried in cargo units, a general description of the cargo, the gross mass of the cargo or of the cargo units, and any relevant special properties of the cargo. For the purpose of this regulation the cargo information required in sub-chapter 1.9 of the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing, adopted by the Organization by resolution A.714(17), as may be amended, shall be provided. Any such amendment to sub-chapter 1.9 shall be adopted, brought into force and take effect in accordance with the provisions of article VIII of the present Convention concerning the amendment procedures applicable to the annex other than chapter I;

.2 in the case of solid bulk cargo, information as required by section 4 of the IMSBC Code.

3 Prior to loading cargo units on board ships, the shipper shall ensure that the gross mass of such units is in accordance with the gross mass declared on the shipping documents.

4 In the case of cargo carried in a container,+ except for containers carried on a chassis or a trailer when such containers are driven on or off a ro-ro ship engaged in short international voyages as defined in regulation 111/3, the gross mass according to paragraph 2.1 of this regulation shall be verified by the shipper, either by:

.1 weighing the packed container using calibrated and certified equipment; or

.2 weighing all packages and cargo items, including the mass of pallets, dunnage and other securing material to be packed in the container and adding the tare mass of the container to the sum of the single masses, using a certified method approved by the competent authority of the State in which packing of the container was completed.

5 The shipper of a container shall ensure the verified gross mass§ is stated in the shipping document. The shipping document shall be:

.1 signed by a person duly authorized by the shipper; and

.2 submitted to the master or his representative and to the terminal representative sufficiently in advance, as required by the master or his representative, to be used in the preparation of the ship stowage plan.'11

6 If the shipping document, with regard to a packed container, does not provide the verified gross mass and the master or his representative and the terminal representative have not obtained the verified gross mass of the packed container, it shall not be loaded on to the ship.

• Refer to Form for cargo information (MSC/Circ.663). t Reference to documents in this regulation does not preclude the use of electronic data processing (EDP) and electronic data interchange (EDI) transmission techniques as an aid to paper documentation. +The term container should be considered as having the same meaning as defined and applied in the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), 1972, as amended, taking into account Guidelines for the approval of offshore containers handled in open seas (MSC/Circ.860) and Revised recommendations on harmonized interpretation and implementation of the International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972, as amended (CSC.1/Circ.138/Rev.1). § Refer to Guidelines regarding the verified gross mass of a container carrying cargo (MSC.1/Circ.1475).

'II This document may be presented by means of EDP or EDI transmission techniques. The signature may be an electronic signature or may be replaced by the name, in capitals, of the person authorized to sign.

Part A General provisions

Regulation 3

Oxygen analysis and gas detection equipment

1 When transporting a solid bulk cargo which is liable to emit a toxic or flammable gas, or cause oxygen depletion in the cargo space, an appropriate instrument for measuring the concentration of gas or oxygen in the air shall be provided together with detailed instructions for its use. Such an instrument shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration.

2 The Administration shall take steps to ensure that crews of ships are trained in the use of such instruments.

Regulation 4

The use of pesticides in ships*

Appropriate precautions shall be taken in the use of pesticides in ships, in particular for the purposes of fumigation.

Regulation 5

Stowage and securing

1 Cargo, cargo unitst and cargo transport units+ carried on or under deck shall be so loaded, stowed and secured as to prevent as far as is practicable, throughout the voyage, damage or hazard to the ship and the persons on board, and loss of cargo overboard.

2 Cargo, cargo units and cargo transport units shall be so packed and secured within the unit as to prevent, throughout the voyage, damage or hazard to the ship and the persons on board.

3 Appropriate precautions shall be taken during loading and transport of heavy cargoes or cargoes with abnormal physical dimensions to ensure that no structural damage to the ship occurs and to maintain adequate stability throughout the voyage.

4 Appropriate precautions shall be taken during loading and transport of cargo units and cargo transport units on board ro-ro ships, especially with regard to the securing arrangements on board such ships and on the cargo units and cargo transport units and with regard to the strength of the securing points and lashings.

5 Freight containers shall not be loaded to more than the maximum gross weight indicated on the Safety Approval Plate under the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), as amended.

6 All cargoes, other than solid and liquid bulk cargoes, cargo units and cargo transport units, shall be loaded, stowed and secured throughout the voyage in accordance with the Cargo Securing Manual approved by the Administration. In ships with ro-ro spaces, as defined in regulation 11-2/3.41, all securing of such cargoes, cargo units, and cargo transport units, in accordance with the Cargo Securing Manual, shall be completed before the ship leaves the berth. The Cargo Securing Manual shall be drawn up to a standard at least equivalent to relevant guidelines developed by the Organization.§

* Refer to:

.1 Revised recommendations on the safe use of pesticides in ships (MSC.1/Circ.1358);

.2 Recommendations on the safe use of pesticides in ships applicable to the fumigation of cargo holds (MSC.1/Circ.1264, as amended); and

.3 Revised recommendations on the safe use of pesticides in ships applicable to the fumigation of cargo transport units (MSC.1/Circ.1361/Rev.1). t Refer to the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (resolution A.714(17), as amended). * Refer to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code (resolution MSC.122(75), as amended). § Refer to Revised guidelines for the preparation of the Cargo Securing Manual (MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2).

Regulation 5-1

Material safety data sheets Ships carrying oil or oil fuel, as defined in regulation 1 of Annex I of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, shall be provided with material safety data sheets, based on the recommendations developed by the Organization,* prior to the loading of such oil as cargo in bulk or bunkering of oil fuel.

Regulation 5-2

Prohibition of the blending of bulk liquid cargoes and production processes during sea voyages

1 The physical blending of bulk liquid cargoes during sea voyages is prohibited. Physical blending refers to the process whereby the ship's cargo pumps and pipelines are used to internally circulate two or more different cargoes with the intent to achieve a cargo with a new product designation. This prohibition does not preclude the master from undertaking cargo transfers for the safety of the ship or protection of the marine environment.

2 The prohibition in paragraph 1 does not apply to the blending of products for use in the search and exploitation of seabed mineral resources on board ships used to facilitate such operations.

3 Any production process on board a ship during sea voyages is prohibited. Production processes refer to any deliberate operation whereby a chemical reaction between a ship's cargo and any other substance or cargo takes place.

4 The prohibition in paragraph 3 does not apply to the production processes of cargoes for use in the search and exploitation of seabed mineral resources on board ships used to facilitate such operations.t

* Refer to Recommendations for material safety data sheets (MSDS) for MARPOL Annex I oil cargo and oil fuel (resolution MSC.286(86), as may be amended). t Refer to Code for the Transport and Handling of Hazardous and Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk on Offshore Support Vessels (OSV Chemical Code) (resolution A.1122(30)).

Special provisions for solid bulk cargoes

Regulation 6

Acceptability for shipment

1 Prior to loading a solid bulk cargo, the master shall be in possession of comprehensive information on the ship's stability and on the distribution of cargo for the standard loading conditions. The method of providing such information shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration.*

Regulation 7

Loading, unloading and stowage of solid bulk cargoest

1 For the purpose of this regulation, terminal representative means a person appointed by the terminal or other facility, where the ship is loading or unloading, who has responsibility for operations conducted by that terminal or facility with regard to the particular ship.

2 To enable the master to prevent excessive stresses in the ship's structure, the ship shall be provided with a booklet, which shall be written in a language with w hich the ship's officers responsible for cargo operations are familiar. If this language is not English, the ship shall be provided with a booklet written also in the English language. The booklet shall, as a minimum, include:

.1 stability data, as required by regulation 11-1 /5-1;

.2 ballasting and deballasting rates and capacities;

.3 maximum allowable load per unit surface area of the tank top plating;

.4 maximum allowable load per hold;

.5 general loading and unloading instructions with regard to the strength of the ship's structure including any limitations on the most adverse operating conditions during loading, unloading, ballasting operations and the voyage;

.6 any special restrictions such as limitations on the most adverse operating conditions imposed by the Administration or organization recognized by it, if applicable; and

.7 where strength calculations are required, maximum permissible forces and moments on the ship's hull during loading, unloading and the voyage.

3 Before a solid bulk cargo is loaded or unloaded, the master and the terminal representative shall agree on a plant which shall ensure that the permissible forces and moments on the ship are not exceeded during loading or unloading, and shall include the sequence, quantity and rate of loading or unloading, taking into consideration the speed of loading or unloading, the number of pours and the deballasting or ballasting capability of the ship. The plan and any subsequent amendments thereto shall be lodged with the appropriate authority of the port State.

• Refer to regulation 11-1/5-1, Stability information to be supplied to the master. t Refer to the Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code) (resolution A.862(20), as amended).

4 The master and terminal representative shall ensure that loading and unloading operations are conducted in accordance with the agreed plan.

5 If during loading or unloading any of the limits of the ship referred to in paragraph 2 are exceeded or are likely to become so if the loading or unloading continues, the master has the right to suspend operation and the obligation to notify accordingly the appropriate authority of the port State with which the plan has been lodged. The master and the terminal representative shall ensure that corrective action is taken. When unloading cargo, the master and terminal representative shall ensure that the unloading method does not damage the ship's structure.

6 The master shall ensure that ship's personnel continuously monitor cargo operations. Where possible, the ship's draught shall be checked regularly during loading or unloading to confirm the tonnage figures supplied. Each draught and tonnage observation shall be recorded in a cargo logbook. If significant deviations from the agreed plan are detected, cargo or ballast operations or both shall be adjusted to ensure that the deviations are corrected.

Carriage of grain

Regulation 8

Definitions For the purposes of this part, unless expressly provided otherwise:

1 International Crain Code means the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the Organization by resolution MSC.23(59) as may be amended by the Organization, provided that such amendments are adopted, brought into force and take effect in accordance with the provisions of article VIII of the present Convention concerning the amendment procedures applicable to the annex other than chapter I.

2 The term grain includes wheat, maize (corn), oats, rye, barley, rice, pulses, seeds and processed forms thereof whose behaviour is similar to that of grain in its natural state.

Regulation 9

Requirements for cargo ships carrying grain

1 In addition to any other applicable requirem ents of the present regulations, a cargo ship carrying grain shall comply with the requirements of the International Grain Code, and hold a document of authorization as required by that Code. For the purpose of this regulation, the requirements of the Code shall be treated as mandatory.

2 A ship without such a document shall not load grain until the master satisfies the Administration, or the Contracting Government of the port of loading on behalf of the Administration, that the ship will comply with the requirements of the International Grain Code in its proposed loaded condition.

Carriage of dangerous goods

Carriage of dangerous goods*

Part A Carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form

Regulation 1 Definitions

Regulation 2 Application

Regulation 3 Requirements for the carriage of dangerous goods

Regulation 4 Documents

Regulation 5 Cargo Securing Manual

Regulation 6 Reporting of incidents involving dangerous goods

Part A-1 Carriage of dangerous goods in solid form in bulk

Regulation 7 Definitions

Regulation 7-1 Application

Regulation 7-2 Documents

Regulation 7-3 Stowage and segregation requirements

Regulation 7-4 Reporting of incidents involving dangerous goods

Regulation 7-5 Requirements for the carriage of dangerous goods in solid form in bulk

Part B Construction and equipment of ships carrying

dangerous liquid chemicals in bulk Regulation 8 Definitions

Regulation 9 Application to chemical tankers

Regulation 10 Requirements for chemical tankers

Part C Construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk Regulation 11 Definitions

Regulation 12 Application to gas carriers

Regulation 13 Requirements for gas carriers

Part D Special requirements for the carriage of packaged irradiated nuclear fuel, plutonium and high-level radioactive wastes on board ships Regulation 14 Definitions

Regulation 15 Application to ships carrying INF cargo

Regulation 16 Requirements for ships carrying INF cargo

* Refer to Genera/ principles for ship reporting systems and ship reporting requirements, including guidelines for reporting incidents involving dangerous goods, harmful substances and/or marine pollutants (resolution A.851 (20), as amended).

Carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form

Regulation 1

Definitions For the purpose of this chapter, unless expressly provided otherwise:

1 /MDC Code means the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the Organization by resolution MSC.122(75), as may be amended by the Organization, provided that such amendments are adopted, brought into force and take effect in accordance with the provisions of article VIII of the present Convention concerning the amendment procedures applicable to the annex other than chapter I.

2 Dangerous goods mean the substances, materials and articles covered by the IMDG Code.

3 Packaged form means the form of containment specified in the IMDG Code.

Regulation 2

Application*

1 Unless expressly provided otherwise, this part applies to the carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form in all ships to which the present regulations apply and in cargo ships of less than 500 gross tonnage.

2 The provisions of this part do not apply to ships' stores and equipment.

3 The carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form is prohibited except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

4 To supplement the provisions of this part, each Contracting Government shall issue, or cause to be issued, detailed instructions on emergency response and medical first aid relevant to incidents involving dangerous goods in packaged form, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization.t

Regulation 3

Requirements for the carriage of dangerous goods The carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form shall be in compliance with the relevant provisions of the IMDG Code.

* Refer to:

.1 part D, which contains special requirements for the carriage of INF cargo; and

.2 regulation 11-2/19, which contains special requirements for ships carrying dangerous goods.

t Refer to:

.1 the Revised Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods (EmS Guide) (MSC.1/Circ.1588/Rev.3, as may be amended); and

.2 the Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG).

These Guides are reproduced in the Supplement to the IMDG Code published by the Organization.