Section 1 General

1.1.1 This Chapter applies to sea-going self propelled ships, constructed generally with single deck, double bottom, hopper side tanks and topside tanks and with single or double side skin construction in the cargo length area, and intended primarily for the carriage of bulk dry cargoes.

1.1.2 A ‘bulk carrier of single side skin construction’ is defined as a bulk carrier where one or more cargo holds are bound by the side shell only, or by two watertight boundaries, one of which is the side shell, which are less than 1000 mm apart.

1.1.3 The term ‘bulk carrier of double side skin construction’ is defined as a bulk carrier where all cargo holds are bound by two watertight boundaries, one of which is the side shell, which are greater than or equal to 1000 mm apart at any location within the hold length.

1.1.4 The ShipRight Procedures for the hull construction of ships are detailed in Pt 3, Ch 16 ShipRight Procedures for the Design, Construction and Lifetime Care of Ships and the classification notations and descriptive notes associated with these procedures are given in Pt 1, Ch 2, 3 Surveys - General.

1.1.5 The attention of Owners, Masters and Cargo Shippers is drawn to the IMO Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes when shipping these cargoes. Attention is also drawn to any relevant statutory requirements of the National Authority of the country in which the ship is to be registered, and any special requirements of the Port Authorities at the ports of loading and discharge.

1.1.6 The Regulations for classification and the assignment of class notations are given in Pt 1, Ch 2 Classification Regulations to which reference should be made.

1.2.1 Single skin and double skin bulk carriers with length, L , greater than or equal to 90 m with structural configuration as shown in Figure 7.1.1 CSR-BC Applicability are defined as ‘CSR Bulk Carriers’ and are to comply with Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.4 Class notation for CSR bulk carriers.

1.2.2 Single skin and double skin bulk carriers other than those described in Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.2 Application 1.2.1 are defined as ‘Non- CSR Bulk Carriers’ and are to comply with Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.5 Class notation for non-CSR bulk carriers.

1.3.1 Class notations applicable to CSR bulk carriers are defined as follows:

• CSR

Identifies the bulk carrier as being compliant with the IACS Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (CSR);.

• ESP

Identifies the bulk carrier as being subject to an Enhanced Survey Programme as detailed in Pt 1, Ch 3, 3 Intermediate Surveys - Hull and machinery requirements and Pt 1, Ch 3, 6 Special Survey - Bulk carriers - Hull requirements, see also Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.3 Class notations (hull) 2.3.12.

1.3.2 Class notations applicable to non-CSR bulk carriers are defined as follows:

• Strengthened for heavy cargoes

For bulk carriers with scantlings complying with Pt 4, Ch 7, 8.2 Carriage of heavy cargoes;

• ESP

Identifies the bulk carrier as being subject to an Enhanced Survey Programme as detailed in Pt 1, Ch 3, 3 Intermediate Surveys - Hull and machinery requirements and Pt 1, Ch 3, 6 Special Survey - Bulk carriers - Hull requirements, see also Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.3 Class notations (hull) 2.3.12;

• ESN

Identifies the bulk carrier as having been assessed for enhanced survivability with respect to flooding. Scantlings and arrangements are to comply with Pt 4, Ch 7, 3.1 General 3.1.2, Pt 4, Ch 7, 8.8 Allowable hold loading in the flooded condition and Pt 4, Ch 7, 10.4 Vertically corrugated transverse watertight bulkheads – Application and definitions.

1.4.1 In general, CSR bulk carriers less than 150 m in length are to comply with the requirements of Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.6 Information required for CSR bulk carriers, Pt 3, Ch 2 Materials and the IACS Common Structural Rules (CSR) and will be eligible for one of the following mandatory class notations:

1. 100A1 bulk carrier, CSR, any holds may be empty, ESP. This class notation is normally assigned to a ship designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of cargo density 1,0 tonne/m³ and above, with an approved arrangement of loaded holds such that any hold may be empty at the full loaded draught.

2. 100A1 bulk carrier, CSR, {Holds a, b, … may be empty}, ESP. This class notation is normally assigned to a ship designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of cargo density 1,0 tonne/m³ and above with specified holds empty at maximum draught.

3. 100A1 bulk carrier, CSR, ESP. This class notation will be assigned to a ship designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of cargo density less than 1,0 tonne/m³.

1.4.2 In general, CSR bulk carriers equal to or greater than 150 m in length are to comply with the requirements of Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.6 Information required for CSR bulk carriers, Pt 3, Ch 2 Materials and the IACS Common Structural Rules (CSR) and will be eligible for one of the following mandatory class notations:

1. 100A1 bulk carrier, CSR, BC-A, {Holds a, b, … may be empty}, GRAB [X] ESP. This class will be assigned for bulk carriers designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of cargo density 1,0 tonne/m³ and above with specified holds empty at maximum draught.

2. 100A1 bulk carrier, CSR, BC-B, GRAB [X], ESP. This class will be assigned for bulk carriers designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of cargo density 1,0 tonne/m³ and above with all cargo holds loaded.

3. 100A1 bulk carrier, CSR, BC-C, ESP. This class will be assigned for bulk carriers designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of cargo density less than 1,0 tonne/m³ with all cargo holds loaded.

1.4.3 The following additional notations and annotations are to be provided giving further detailed description of limitations to be observed during operation as a consequence of the design loading condition applied during the design.

• Notations:

1. {Maximum cargo density in t/m³} For notations BC-A and BC-B if the maximum cargo density is less than 3,0 tonnes/m³.
2. {No MP} For all notations when the vessel has not been designed for loading and unloading in multiple ports in accordance with the conditions specified in IACS Common Structural Rules (CSR), Pt 1, Ch 4, Sec 8,4.2.2.
3. GRAB [X] Where the net thickness of inner bottom, lower strake of hopper tank sloping plate and transverse lower stool plating comply with IACS Common Structural Rules (CSR), Pt 2, Ch 1, 6 for BC-A and BC-B, see IACS Common Structural Rules (CSR), Pt 1, Ch 1, Sec 1,3.2.1.
4. {Block loading} For additional service feature BC-A, when the ship is intended to operate in alternate block load condition, see IACS Common Structural Rules (CSR), Pt 1, Ch 4, Sec 8, 4.2.3, item d.

• Annotations:

(allowed combination of specified empty holds). For notation BC-A.

1.4.4 The ShipRight notation CM is mandatory for CSR bulk carriers greater than 150 m in length, see Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.5 Class notation for non-CSR bulk carriers 1.5.7.

1.4.5 Optional notations indicating compliance with specific requirements of Pt 4, Ch 7, 3 Longitudinal strength to Pt 4, Ch 7, 14 Forecastles on a voluntary basis may also be assigned.

1.5.1 In general, non-CSR Bulk Carriers are to comply with the requirements of Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.5 Class notation for non-CSR bulk carriers 1.5.2 to Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.5 Class notation for non-CSR bulk carriers 1.5.10 and will be eligible for one of the following mandatory class notations:

1. 100A1 bulk carrier, ESP.

2. 100A1 bulk carrier, strengthened for heavy cargoes, ESP. This class notation will be assigned to a ship when the double bottom structure has been specially strengthened in accordance with the requirements of Table 7.8.1 Strengthening for heavy cargo requirements.

3. 100A1 bulk carrier, strengthened for heavy cargoes, hold, nos. 1, 2 ... may be empty, ESP. This class notation is normally assigned to a ship which has been specially strengthened for heavy cargoes, see Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.5 Class notation for non-CSR bulk carriers 1.5.1.(b), so as to enable the ship to be fully loaded with an approved arrangement of empty holds, see also Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.5 Class notation for non-CSR bulk carriers 1.5.10 and Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.4 Class notation for CSR bulk carriers 1.4.3.

4. 100A1 bulk carrier, strengthened for heavy cargoes, any holds may be empty, ESP. This class notation is normally assigned to a ship which has been specially strengthened for heavy and ore cargoes, with an approved arrangement of loaded holds such that any hold may be empty at the full loaded draught.

1.5.2 Plans and information are to be submitted in accordance with Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.7 Information required for non-CSR bulk carriers.

1.5.3 Requirements are also given for special strengthening for heavy cargoes, see Pt 4, Ch 7, 8.2 Carriage of heavy cargoes.

1.5.4 The scantlings and arrangements of the cargo region are to be as specified in this Chapter in Pt 4, Ch 7, 2 Materials and protection to Pt 4, Ch 7, 14 Forecastles. The requirements are intended to cover the midship region, but also apply, with suitable modification, to the taper regions forward and aft in way of cargo spaces.

1.5.5 The ShipRight notation CM is mandatory for non-CSR bulk carriers greater than 150 m in length, see Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.5 Class notation for non-CSR bulk carriers 1.5.7.

1.5.6 Where the length of the ship is greater than 190 m, or where the structural arrangements are considered such as to necessitate it, the scantlings of the primary supporting structure are to be assessed by direct calculation and the ShipRight notations SDA, FDA and CM are mandatory, see Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.5 Class notation for non-CSR bulk carriers 1.5.7 and Pt 4, Ch 7, 11 Direct calculation.

1.5.7 The ‘ShipRight Procedures’ for the hull construction of ships are detailed in Pt 3, Ch 16 ShipRight Procedures for the Design, Construction and Lifetime Care of Ships and the classification notations and descriptive notes associated with these procedures are given in Pt 1, Ch 2, 2 Character of classification and class notations.

1.5.8 The ’Structural Design Assessment’ (SDA), ‘Fatigue Design Assessment’ (FDA) and ‘Construction Monitoring’ (CM) procedures detailed in the ShipRight Procedures Manual, published by LR, are mandatory for non-CSR bulk carriers greater than 190 m in length and for other non-CSR bulk carriers of abnormal hull form, or of unusual structural configuration or complexity see Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.1 General 1.1.5 and Pt 4, Ch 7, 11 Direct calculation.

1.5.9 Where the class notation referred to in Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.5 Class notation for non-CSR bulk carriers 1.5.1.(d) is assigned such that any hold may be empty at the full draught the following items are to be considered and the corresponding requirements complied with:

1. Longitudinal strength calculations are to be carried out for all the operational fully loaded, non-homogeneous, part loaded, heavy cargo conditions, and these conditions included in the approved Loading Manual, see Pt 4, Ch 7, 3 Longitudinal strength. Envelopes of the still water bending moments and the shear forces covering these conditions are also to be submitted.

2. The double bottom structure in each hold is to satisfy the requirements of Pt 4, Ch 7, 8.4 Ships to be classed '100A1 bulk carrier, strengthened for heavy cargoes, any hold may be empty, ESP'.

3. The arrangement and scantlings of cross-deck structure between the upper deck cargo hatchways, see Pt 4, Ch 7, 4.1 General 4.1.2.

4. Transverse bulkheads in holds, see Pt 4, Ch 7, 10.1 General 10.1.4.

5. For main cargo hatchway openings the requirements of Pt 4, Ch 7, 4.3 Main cargo hatchway openings 4.3.1 are to be complied with.

1.5.10 Where appropriate, other cargoes or particular loading arrangements will be included in the class notation. When the class notation referred to in Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.5 Class notation for non-CSR bulk carriers 1.5.1.(c) is to be assigned for other combinations of empty and loaded holds, for example where it is the intention to load fully any two adjoining holds with adjacent holds empty in sea-going or short voyage conditions, the longitudinal and local strength aspects will be specially considered, see also Pt 4, Ch 7, 4.1 General 4.1.2. In addition, permissible weights of cargo in each hold or pair of adjacent holds, plotted against ship’s draught likely to be incurred, are to be included in the ship’s approved Loading Manual.

1.5.11 The scantlings of structural items may be determined by direct calculation.

1.5.12 The additional requirements for bulk carriers for the alternate carriage of oil cargo and dry bulk cargo are given in Pt 4, Ch 9, 11 Ships for alternate carriage of oil cargo and dry bulk cargo. When complying with the requirements of this Chapter, such ships may be excluded from all requirements and notations pertaining to vessels with length, L, greater than or equal to 150 m. The requirements of Pt 4, Ch 7, 1.5 Class notation for non-CSR bulk carriers 1.5.8 are however to be complied with.

1.6.1 Plans and supporting documents/calculations are to be submitted for approval in accordance with the requirements of the CSR.

1.6.2 In addition, where not already required by the CSR, plans and supporting documents/calculations are to be submitted for approval as required by Pt 3, Ch 1, 5.2 Plans and supporting calculations.

1.6.3 A Ship Construction File (SCF) is to be provided on board of the ship containing information to facilitate inspection/survey, repair and maintenance. As a minimum it is to include documentation and plans in accordance with the requirements of the CSR.

1.6.4 For CSR bulk carriers subject to SOLAS - International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Chapter II-1 - Construction - Structure, subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations Part A-1 - Structure of ships Regulation 3-10 – Goal-based ship construction standards for bulk carriers and oil tankers, the SCF is to be provided instead in accordance with the requirements specified therein in SOLAS and for these goal-based standard ships an SCF contents list is to be prepared and submitted for approval.

1.6.5 These SCFs are also to include the documentation and plans as listed in Pt 3, Ch 1, 5.3 Plans to be supplied to the ship, where not already required by the CSR or SOLAS - International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Chapter II-1 - Construction - Structure, subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations Part A-1 - Structure of ships Regulation 3-10 – Goal-based ship construction standards for bulk carriers and oil tankers.

1.7.1 In addition to the information and plans required by Pt 3, Ch 1, 5 Information required, the following are to be submitted:

• Cargo loadings on decks, hatchways and inner bottom if these are to be in excess of Rule, see Pt 3, Ch 3, 5 Design loading.
• The maximum pressure head in service on tanks, also details of any double bottom tanks interconnected with hopper and topside tanks.
• Details of the proposed depths of any partial fillings where water ballast or liquid cargo is intended to be carried in the holds.
• Details of loading arrangements where combinations of empty and loaded holds are envisaged, and where it is the intention to load fully any two adjoining holds with adjacent holds empty in sea-going or short voyage conditions.

1.7.2 Additional information required for bulk carriers of length, L, 150 m or above:

• The bulk cargo density to be used in the design homogeneous loading condition at scantling draught with all holds, including hatchways, being 100 per cent full.
• The maximum bulk cargo density the ship is designed to carry.
• The maximum bulk cargo weight to be carried in each hold.
• Tables or curves indicating the change of cargo hold volume as a function of height above moulded baseline.

1.8.1 The following symbols and definitions are applicable to this chapter unless otherwise stated: L, B, D, T as defined in Pt 3, Ch 1, 6 Definitions