RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International
Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Committee,
RECALLING ALSO SOLAS chapter XII on
Additional safety measures for bulk carriers, which the 1997 SOLAS
Conference adopted with the aim of enhancing the safety of ships carrying
solid bulk cargoes,
RECALLING FURTHER that, having recognized the need to further
improve the safety of bulk carriers in all aspects of their design,
construction, equipment and operation, it examined the results of
various formal safety assessment (FSA) studies on bulk carrier safety,
NOTING that the outcome of the aforementioned FSA studies
indicated, inter alia, that the application of appropriate strength
standards to small hatches, fittings and equipment on the fore deck
of new and existing bulk carriers, as well as adequate provisions
for cargo hatch cover securing arrangements and criteria for the renewal
of side shell frames in existing bulk carriers, would contribute to
further improving the overall safety of these ships,
ACKNOWLEDGING that the International Association of Classification
Societies (IACS) has issued the following relevant Unified Requirements:
-
S26 - Strength and securing of small hatches
on the exposed fore deck
-
S27 - Strength requirements for fore deck fittings
and equipment
-
S30 - Cargo hatch cover securing arrangements
for bulk carriers not built in accordance with UR S21 (Rev.3)
-
S31 - Renewal criteria for side shell frames
in single side skin bulk carriers not built in accordance with UR
S12 Rev.1 or subsequent revisions,
BEING OF THE OPINION that by applying the above-mentioned
Unified Requirements the cause of bulk carrier safety would be better
served,
URGES Governments to ensure that IACS Unified Requirements
S26, S27, S30 and S31 are applied to bulk carriers flying their flags,
as appropriate, whether or not they are classed with a classification
society being a member of IACS.