3.8 Bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - 1983 IGC Code - International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk - Chapter 3 Ship Arrangements - 3.8 Bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements

3.8 Bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements

  3.8.1 Subject to the requirements of this section, cargo piping may be arranged to permit bow or stern loading and unloading.

  3.8.1.1 Bow or stern loading and unloading lines which are led past accommodation spaces, service spaces or control stations should not be used for the transfer of products requiring a type 1G ship. Bow or stern loading and unloading lines should not be used for the transfer of toxic products as specified in 1.3.38 unless specifically approved by the Administration.

  3.8.2 Portable arrangements should not be permitted.

  3.8.3 In addition to the requirements of chapter 5 the following provisions apply to cargo piping and related piping equipment:

  • .1 Cargo piping and related piping equipment outside the cargo area should have only welded connections. The piping outside the cargo area should run on the open deck and should be at least 760 mm inboard except for thwartships shore connection piping. Such piping should be clearly identified and fitted with a shutoff valve at its connection to the cargo piping system within the cargo area. At this location, it should also be capable of being separated by means of a removable spool piece and blank flanges when not in use.

  • .2 The piping is to be full penetration butt welded, and fully radiographed regardless of pipe diameter and design temperature. Flange connections in the piping are only permitted within the cargo area and at the shore connection.

  • .3 Arrangements should be made to allow such piping to be purged and gas-freed after use. When not in use, the spool pieces should be removed and the pipe ends be blank-flanged. The vent pipes connected with the purge should be located in the cargo area.

  3.8.4 Entrances, air inlets and openings to accommodation spaces, service spaces, machinery spaces and control stations should not face the cargo shore connection location of bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements. They should be located on the outboard side of the superstructure or deckhouse at a distance of at least 4% of the length of the ship but not less than 3 m from the end of the superstructure or deck house facing the cargo shore connection location of the bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements. This distance, however, need not exceed 5 m. Sidescuttles facing the shore connection location and on the sides of the superstructure or deckhouse within the distance mentioned above should be of the fixed (non-opening) type. In addition, during the use of the bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements, all doors, ports and other openings on the corresponding superstructure or deckhouse side should be kept closed. Where, in the case of small ships, compliance with 3.2.4 and this paragraph is not possible, the Administration may approve relaxations from the above requirements.

  3.8.5 Deck openings and air inlets to spaces within distances of 10 m from the cargo shore connection location should be kept closed during the use of bow or stern loading or unloading arrangements.

  3.8.6 Electrical equipment within a zone of 3 m from the cargo shore connection location should be in accordance with chapter 10.

  3.8.7 Fire-fighting arrangements for the bow or stern loading and unloading areas should be in accordance with 11.3.1.3 and 11.4.7.

  3.8.8 Means of communication between the cargo control station and the shore connection location should be provided and if necessary certified safe.


Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.