New update of the IMSBC Code

The IMSBC Code is now under its fourth revision process referring to amendments 04-17, expected to be finalised in 2017. The Standard P&I Club has issued an alert to remind about the new round of revision of the Code.

The IMSBC Code became mandatory in 2011 under the SOLAS Convention. Since then, the original IMSBC Code has been subject to three amendments:

Amendments 01-11 to IMSBC Code by MSC.318(89)
Amendments 02-13 to IMSBC Code by MSC.354(92) effective from 1 January 2015
Amendments 32-15 to MSC.393(95), adopted in June 2015 and entering into force on 1 January 2017

The ongoing work of the Editorial and Technical Group of the Sub Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers continues to facilitate the fourth version amendments. The issues subject to review can be summarised as follows:

A new schedule on Nonammonium Phosphate (Group B) and Monocalciumphosphate (Group A)
A study on safe transport in bulk of New Caledonia nickel ores that may liquefy
A review of the existing schedule for carriage of Metal Sulphide Concentrates in relation to MHB hazards
An update by the International Iron Metallics Association (IIMA) on the on-going research to define an appropriate test protocol for assessing the corrosivity of complex solids under the IMSBC Code and improving corrosivity test protocols for complex solid bulk cargoes

Source:Standard P&I Club