Foreword
When a cargo which is not listed in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code is intended to be
carried in bulk, the competent authority of the port of loading should provide to the
master a certificate stating the characteristics of the cargo and the required
conditions for carriage and handling of that shipment. The competent authority of the
port of loading should also submit an application to the Organization to incorporate
this solid bulk cargo into appendix
1 of the IMSBC Code. The format of this application should be as outlined in
subsection
1.3.3 of the IMSBC Code. These guidelines provide guidance on the type and
structure of information which is required in the application.
General
The application should be supported as a minimum by relevant data such as may be
contained in Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or other
relevant documentation. Applicants should therefore complete and submit the
questionnaire in the appendix. Where applications indicate use of equipment or systems,
references to relevant internationally agreed standards for such equipment or systems
should be indicated.
1 Section "TENTATIVE BULK CARGO SHIPPING NAME"
This is the proposed Bulk Cargo Shipping Name (BCSN) to be identified in capital letters.
When the cargo constitutes dangerous goods, the BCSN is to be supplemented with the
United Nations (UN) number. Secondary names which are proposed to be indicated in appendix 4
"Index" of the IMSBC Code may also be listed in this section.
2 Section "Description"
This section should be used to specify the type of material, the manufacturing process,
the raw material, the particle size and form, the colour, the composition of the
material and its variability, the moisture content, properties of the cargo such as
in/soluble in water, dusty, hygroscopic, and other specific characteristics.
3 Section "Characteristics"
3.1 The table specifying the characteristics of the cargo should be completed as
follows:
3.2 Angle of repose: This box should be used to indicate the angle of repose for
non-cohesive granular materials. If the evaluation of the properties of the material
proved that the cargo is cohesive, the entry should be "Not applicable".
3.3 Bulk density: This box should be used to indicate the bulk density or the
range of bulk density, as applicable, in kg/m3.
3.4 Stowage factor: This box should be used to indicate the stowage factor or
range of stowage factor, as applicable, in m3/t.
3.5 Size: This box should be used to indicate the form and size or size-range of
particles, pellets, lumps, etc., in mm and its variability, as applicable.
3.6 Class: This box should be used to indicate the hazard
classification in accordance with section 9.2 of the IMSBC Code. If the cargo does not fall under
Group B, the entry should be "Not applicable". In addition, if the cargo constitutes
dangerous goods and has subsidiary risks, the subsidiary risks should be indicated. If
the Class of the cargo corresponds to Materials Hazardous only in Bulk (MHB), section 9.2.3 of the Code should be also observed. (see also
section for Hazardous properties in the appendix).
3.7 Group: This box should be used to indicate the cargo group in accordance with
subsection
1.7 of the IMSBC Code (possible entries are "A and B", "A", "B" or "C").
4 Section "Hazard"
4.1 This section should be used to specify the hazard(s) of the material relevant
for sea transport, such as combustibility, toxicity, corrosivity, radiotoxicity,
hygroscopy, liability to oxygen depletion, decomposition, self-heating, spontaneous
ignition, liquefaction, emission of flammable and/or toxic gases or vapours, reactivity
with water, fuel oil or other organic materials.
4.2 If the cargo class is MHB and the existing hazard corresponding
to the cargo does not meet any of the hazards identified in section 9.2.3 of the IMSBC Code, the other hazard (OH)
corresponding to that cargo should be described in detail.
4.3 In case of non-hazardous cargo, write "No special hazards". If the cargo is
non-combustible or constitutes a low fire-risk, write "This cargo is non-combustible or
has a low fire-risk".
5 Section "Stowage and segregation"
5.1 This section should be used to specify the requirements for stowage and
segregation of the cargo, such as separation from foodstuff, from wooden boundaries or
from other cargoes, stowage away from sources of heat or ignition, away from fuel oil
tanks, away from machinery space boundaries.
5.2 Furthermore this section should be used to stipulate requirements for
fire/heat insulation for fuel oil tanks and machinery space bulkheads arranged adjacent
to the cargo spaces, for resistance of cargo hold boundaries to fire and/or passage of
liquids, for gas-tight machinery space bulkheads, for escaping gases away from
accommodation spaces.
5.3 If no stowage and/or segregation requirements are appropriate, write "No
special requirements".
6 Section "Hold cleanliness"
6.1 This section should give advice on the preparation of cargo spaces prior to
loading, such as cleanliness and dryness of cargo spaces and bilge wells, washing with
fresh or sea water, free from salt, provision of protective coating or lime-wash,
removal of wooden dunnage.
6.2 If no requirement is necessary, write "No special requirements".
7 Section "Weather precautions"
7.1 This section should provide requirements relating to weather conditions and
protective measures to be applied prior to and during loading and/or during unloading,
such as moisture content of the cargo, prohibition of cargo handling during
precipitation, closing of hatch covers.
7.2 If no requirement is necessary, write "No special requirements".
8 Section "Loading"
8.1 This section should be used to specify requirements and precautions during
loading, such as trimming procedure, prevention of overstressing of the tank top,
prevention of dust, dust control equipment, inerting of cargo spaces, gas and
temperature measurement.
8.2 If no requirement is necessary, write "No special requirements".
9 Section "Precautions"
9.1 This section should be used to specify precautions to be taken prior to
loading, such as protection of the ship and the crew from dust of the cargo, posting of
"NO SMOKING" signs on deck, electrical equipment to be of certified safe type (explosion
protection), removal of electrical links, spark arresting screens for ventilation
openings, safety locking device for cargo space bilge-lines, protection of bilge wells,
gas-tightness of machinery space bulkheads, pressure test of fuel tanks adjacent to the
cargo hold.
9.2 Furthermore this section should be used to describe specific conditions of the
cargo prior to loading, such as permissible limits of temperature in stockpile, other
conditions of stockpile and test certificates to be provided prior to loading, e.g.
certificate of moisture content and transportable moisture limit, weathering
certificate, exemption certificate.
9.3 If no requirement is necessary, write "No special requirements".
10 Section "Ventilation"
10.1 This section should be used to specify requirements for ventilation of cargo
spaces (refer to section 3.5 of the IMSBC Code) with regard to the ventilation system
and the operation of ventilation during the voyage.
10.2 If no requirement is necessary, write "No special requirements".
11 Section "Carriage"
11.1 This section should be used to specify requirements and instructions to be
observed during the voyage, such as procedures and equipment for gas and temperature
measurement, sealing of hatches, ventilators and other openings of cargo holds in order
to prevent ingress of water or leaking of inert gas, maintaining an inert atmosphere,
checking the cargo surface for liquefaction and decomposition, checking of cargo spaces
for condensation, testing of the acidity of bilge water and instructions for bilge
pumping, ventilating of cargo holds and adjacent spaces.
11.2 If no requirement is necessary, write "No special requirements".
12 Section "Discharge"
12.1 This section should be used to specify requirements to be observed prior to
and during unloading, such as precaution for entry of personnel into cargo spaces, use
of personnel protection, gas measurement, restrictions for bunkering or pumping of fuel
oil, trimming of hardened cargo, prevention of dust, protection of the ship.
12.2 If no requirement is necessary, write "No special requirements".
13 Section "Clean-up"
13.1 This section should be used to specify requirements for cleaning up of cargo
spaces and bilge wells, such as removal of cargo residues and spillages,
decontamination, use of fresh water or seawater, use of personnel protection,
precautions for the use of the shipborne bilge system.
13.2 If no requirement is necessary, write "No special requirements".
14 Section "Emergency Procedures"
14.1 The table specifying the emergency procedures should be completed for
materials of Group B as follows.
14.2 Special emergency equipment to be carried: This box should be used to specify
the special emergency equipment to be carried, such as protective clothing,
self-contained breathing-apparatuses, fire-fighting equipment. Otherwise, write "Nil".
14.3 Emergency Procedures: This box should be used to specify protective measures
for entering the cargo spaces. Otherwise, write "Nil".
14.4 Emergency action in the event of fire: This box should be used to specify
emergency action in the event of fire, such as supply or exclusion of air, use of water,
CO2 or whether a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system may be exempted,
etc. Otherwise, write "Nil".
14.5 Medical First Aid: Reference should be made to the Medical First Aid Guide
(MFAG), as applicable.