In light of the revised International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, which will come into force on 1 January 2021, BIMCO reported new developments that affect the code.
Specifically, BIMCO focused on new cargoes added, marking that a total of 11 new cargoes have been incorporated into the IMSBC Code, which are the following:
- Bauxite Fines, Group A
- Brucite, Group C
- Calcium Flouride, Calcium Sulphate and Calcium Carbonate Mixture, Group A
- Chlorite, Group C
- Ferronickel Slag (Granulated), Group C
- Flue Dust containing Lead and Zinc, Group A and B, MHB (CR, TX)
- Iron Silicate Granulated, Group A ( added to existing cargo entry ” Copper slag”)
- Matte containing Copper and Lead, Group B, MHB ( CR and/or TX)
- Metal Sulphide Concentrates, Self-heating, UN 3190, Group A and B, MHB (WT and/or TX and/or CR), class 4.2.
- Seed Cakes and other Residues of Processed Oily Vegetables, Group B, MHB ( SH)
- Zinc Oxide Enriched Flue Dust, Group A and B, MHB (TX)
Explanatory notes to the IMSBC Code classification:
- Group A cargoes are cargoes that may liquefy if shipped at a moisture content in excess of its transportable moisture limit (TML)
- Group B cargoes are cargoes that possess a chemical hazard (s) that could give rise to a dangerous situation on a ship
- Group C cargoes are cargoes that neither liquefy nor possess chemical hazards
- Group A and B cargoes are cargoes that may liquefy and possess chemical hazards
According to BIMCO, MHB cargoes are cargoes that are hazardous only in bulk and some of the hazards are notated as follows:
CR- a MHB cargo that is corrosive
CB – a MHB cargo that is combustible
WT – a MHB cargo that emits toxic gas when wet
WF- a MHB cargo that emits flammable gas when wet
TX – a MHB cargo that is toxic
SH- a MHB cargo that self-heats
