On 17 May 2019, MEPC 74 adopted resolution MEPC.318(74), aiming to amend the chapters 1, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code).
IBC Code regards the carriage of bulk liquids prone to hydrogen sulphide formation and the prewash requirements for substances which are designated as persistent floaters.
These amendments will apply from 1 January 2021, and their main mandatory requirements are:
- Vessels carrying bulk liquids prone to hydrogen sulphide formation must be provided with H2S detection equipment. Toxic vapour detection instruments complying with 13.2.1 of the Code for testing for H2S can be used to meet this requirement;
- On operational requirements, the amendment made to Chapter 16 of the Code mandates prewash in certain areas for substances which are designated as persistent floaters with a high viscosity and/or high melting point;
- The whole text of chapters 17, 18, 19 and 21 now contains references to the above amendments. Carriage requirements for chemicals and toxicity categorization of products have been revised as well.
