Carriage of chemicals in bulk is covered by regulations in SOLAS Chapter VII - Carriage of dangerous goods and MARPOL Annex II - Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk.
Both Conventions require chemical tankers built after 1 July 1986 to comply with the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code).
The IBC Code provides an international standard for the safe carriage by sea of dangerous and noxious liquid chemicals in bulk. To minimize the risks to ships, their crews and the environment, the Code prescribes the design and construction standards of ships and the equipment they should carry, with due regard to the nature of the products involved. In December 1985, by resolution MEPC.19(22), the Code was extended to cover marine pollution aspects and applies to ships built after 1 July 1986.
In October 2004, IMO adopted revised MARPOL Annex II Regulations for the control of pollution by noxious liquid substances in bulk. This incorporates a four-category categorization system for noxious and liquid substances and it entered into force on 1 January 2007.
Consequential amendments to the International Bulk Chemical Code (IBC Code) were also adopted in October 2004, reflecting the changes to MARPOL Annex II. The amendments incorporate revisions to the categorization of certain products relating to their properties as potential marine pollutants as well as revisions to ship type and carriage requirements following their evaluation by the Evaluation of Hazardous Substances Working Group.
Ships constructed after 1986 carrying substances identified in chapter 17 of the IBC Code must follow the requirements for design, construction, equipment and operation of ships contained in the Code.
Ships subject to the Code shall be designed to one of the following standards:
- A type 1 ship is a chemical tanker intended to transport chapter 17 products with very severe environmental and safety hazards which require maximum preventive measures to preclude an escape of such cargo.
- A type 2 ship is a chemical tanker intended to transport chapter 17 products with appreciably severe environmental and safety hazards which require significant preventive measures to preclude an escape of such cargo.
- A type 3 ship is a chemical tanker intended to transport chapter 17 products with sufficiently severe environmental and safety hazards which require a moderate degree of containment to increase survival capability in a damaged condition.
Thus, a type 1 ship is a chemical tanker intended for the transportation of products considered to present the greatest overall hazard and type 2 and type 3 for products of progressively lesser hazards. Accordingly, a type 1 ship shall survive the most severe standard of damage and its cargo tanks shall be located at the maximum prescribed distance inboard from the shell plating.
Code for the Construction Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk
(BCH Code)
Under regulation 11 of MARPOL Annex II , chemical tankers constructed before 1 July 1986 must comply with the requirements of the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code) – the predecessor of the IBC Code. The BCH Code remains as a recommendation under the 1974 SOLAS Convention.
FAQs
International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code)
What provide an international standard for the safe carriage of dangerous and noxious chemicals in bulk? ›
The purpose of the IBC Code is to provide an international standard for the safe carriage, in bulk by sea, of dangerous chemicals and noxious liquid substances. The code prescribes the design, construction and equipment standards of ships, especially of chemical tankers.
What is the IBC Code on ships? ›
The IBC Code provides an international standard for the safe carriage in bulk by sea of dangerous chemicals and noxious liquid substances listed in chapter 17 of the Code.
What is IBC Hazard Code? ›
The International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk. The IBC Code contains the IMO regulations that govern the design, construction, and outfitting of new built or converted chemical tankers.
What is the international code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk? ›
The IGC Code applies to ships regardless of their size, including those of less than 500 gross tonnage, engaged in carriage of liquefied gases having a vapour pressure exceeding 2.8 bar absolute at a temperature of 37.8°C, and certain other substances listed in chapter 19 of the Code.
What is Type 2 chemical tanker in IBC Code? ›
2 A type 2 ship is a chemical tanker intended to transport chapter 17 products with appreciably severe environmental and safety hazards which require significant preventive measures to preclude an escape of such cargo.
What is the International Bulk Chemical Code IBC Code? ›
The International Bulk Chemical Code (IBC Code) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) specifies how liquid chemicals must be transported in bulk. This applies to substances listed in MARPOL Annex II.
What is the Chapter 17 of the International Bulk Chemical Code? ›
Chapter 17 of the IBC Code lists each product and its carriage requirements, such as ship type, tank type, pollution category, ventilation, tank environmental control, electrical equipment, gauging, vapour detection, fire protection as well as additional specific requirements based on toxicity, heat sensitivity, water ...
What are the 3 classifications of chemical tanker in bulk as per IBC Code and the type of preventive measures to transport? ›
The IBC Code defines three types of chemical tankers: ST1, ST2, and ST3. - ST1 is a chemical tanker intended to transport most dangerous products, which require maximum preventive measures to preclude an escape of such cargo.
What is the IBC Code 14? ›
(a) The institution of suits or continuation of pending suits or proceedings against the corporate debtor including execution of any judgment, decree or order in any court of law, tribunal, arbitration panel or other authority.
While the International Building Code (ICC IBC-2024) serves as the basis for laws and regulations in communities across the United States and in other countries, it is used in a variety of nonregulatory settings, including voluntary compliance programs, the insurance industry, certification of individuals and buildings ...
What is the international bulk carrier code? ›
The IMSBC Code is part of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). You will find these rules and regulations in chapters VI (Carriage of cargoes) and VII (Carriage of dangerous goods). The IMSBC Code also pertains to seagoing vessels under 500gt.
What is IBC Code 16? ›
IBC Section 16-Appointment and tenure of interim resolution professional. (1) The Adjudicating Authority shall appoint an interim resolution professional on the insolvency commencement date. within fourteen days from the insolvency commencement date.
What is the IBC Code chapter 17? ›
While Chapter 17 of the IBC code is entitled “Special Inspections and Tests” and is known as the special inspections chapter of the code, it is important to note that Chapter 17 depends on “referenced standards” such as ACI 318 “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete”, AISC 360 “Specificafion for Structural ...
What is the IBC Code Chapter 18? ›
Chapter 18 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (the IBC Code) lists products which have been reviewed for their safety and pollution hazards and determined not to present hazards to such an extent as to rant the application of the Code.
