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.