Appendix - IMO Solid Bulk Cargo Information Reporting Questionnaire
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1453/Rev.1 – Guidelines for the Submission of Information and Completion of the Format for the Properties of Cargoes Not Listed In the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code and Their Conditions of Carriage – (12 June 2015) - Appendix - IMO Solid Bulk Cargo Information Reporting Questionnaire

Appendix - IMO Solid Bulk Cargo Information Reporting Questionnaire

 It is recommended to provide the following information, in addition to the information described in subsection 1.3.3 of the IMSBC Code.

Basic background information

  • - Are there other synonyms or trade names in use?

  • - How is it manufactured, how is it made, or where does it originate?

  • - What is it used for?

  • - Where is it produced? In what countries? In what volumes?

  • - What experience do you have with the cargo?

Basic cargo properties

The following information may be included in the Description section of the draft individual schedule.

  • - What colour is it?

  • - Does it have an odour?

  • - What form is the cargo in? What particle sizes?

  • - How much moisture is in the cargo? How much oil is in the cargo?

  • - How is it stored? Outside? Under cover?

  • - Does the cargo cake when wet?

  • - Is it a cohesive cargo or a free-flowing cargo?

Hazardous properties

For this section of the questionnaire, each answer should be supported by test data on multiple samples from difference sources. If a question is not applicable, a detailed explanation of why it is not applicable should be made.

  • - Does it meet the definition of dangerous goods (Hazard Classes 1-9)? Which hazard classes?

  • - Is the cargo easily ignitable, combustible or flammable?

  • - Can the cargo contribute to fire or accelerate a fire?

  • - Does the cargo self-heat? What causes the self-heating? Fungal or bacterial growth? Oxidation?

  • - Does the cargo react with water causing toxic or flammable gases to be released? Which gases? How toxic or flammable are the gases? What is the rate of evolution?

  • - Is the cargo toxic? Toxic by inhalation? Toxic by skin contact or ingestion? How toxic? Acute or chronic toxicity?

  • - Does the cargo exhibit any long-term health effects, such as carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic properties?

  • - Is the cargo a respiratory sensitizer?

  • - Does the cargo contain known pathogens?

  • - Does the cargo react with water reaction causing corrosion? Corrosion to eyes, skin, or metal? What is the rate of corrosion?

  • - Is the cargo corrosive without water? Corrosion to eyes, skin, or metal? What is the rate of corrosion?

  • - Is the cargo hazardous to the environment?

  • - Is the dust flammable or explosive?

  • - Can the cargo deplete oxygen in cargo spaces and adjacent spaces? By how much?

  • - Is the cargo incompatible with other cargoes or chemicals? Which cargoes or chemicals?

  • - Can the cargo liquefy during a voyage? What is the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) of the cargo?

  • - If the cargo is MHB, indicate on the following notational list the identified cargo related hazards:

Chemical Hazard Notational Reference Yes/No
Combustible solids CB  
Self-heating solids SH  
Solids that evolve flammable gas when wet WF  
Solids that evolve toxic gas when wet WT  
Toxic solids TX  
Corrosive solids CR  
Other hazards OH  

If your answer is "OH", please provide a description:____________________"

Operational questions

  • - How is the cargo loaded? Conveyor? Clam shell?

  • - Does the cargo need to be trimmed?

  • - What type of ship will be used? Bulk carrier? OBO? Self-unloading vessel? General cargo ship? Barge?

  • - What experience do you have carrying the cargo in bulk by vessel? By road and rail?

  • - Have there been any incidents when transporting the cargo as a result of the cargo properties or hazards?

  • - Are there any recommendations for tank or hold cleaning?

Emergency response questions

  • - In the event of a fire can the cargo be extinguished with water? CO2?

  • - In the event of personal exposure what procedures should be followed?

  • - What happens in the event of an accidental release to water during transport?

Testing questions

  • - Which hazards have been assessed?

  • - Which tests were conducted?

  • - What were the results of these tests?

  • - What was the actual data from the tests?

  • - How many tests were conducted?

  • - What samples were tested? Are the samples representative of the cargo to be shipped?

Parent topic: MSC.1/Circular.1453/Rev.1 – Guidelines for the Submission of Information and Completion of the Format for the Properties of Cargoes Not Listed In the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code and Their Conditions of Carriage – (12 June 2015)
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