International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code pocket checklist will be available at Marintec 2013 next week.
Lloyd’s Register, UK P&I Club, and Intercargo produced a pocket guide and checklist earlier this year for ships’ officers and agents who arrange cargoes for loading. When bulk cargoes shift, liquefy, catch fire or explode due to poor loading procedures, the consequences can be critical – ships could capsize, lose stability or sustain severe structural damage. Now the pocket checklist, which follows the successful, robust formula designed to help all involved in ship operations, is available in Chinese.
The guide, titled Carrying solid bulk cargoes safely: Guidance for crews on the IMSBC Code, outlines the precautions that need to be taken before accepting solid bulk cargoes for shipment. It sets out procedures for safe loading and carriage and details the primary hazards associated with different types of cargoes. The guide includes a quick reference checklist and flowchart summarising the steps to be followed. It comes in a laminated flipover format for on-the-spot use.
The guide reflects the compliance requirements of the IMSBC Code, which became mandatory on 1 January 2011 under the SOLAS Convention. It addresses the Code’s three cargo groups: Group A – cargoes which may liquefy; Group B – cargoes which possess a chemical hazards and Group C – all other types of cargo. Appendices cover IMO regulations and guidance relating to the transport of solid bulk cargoes and provide an overview of the IMSBC Code.
Sam James, Lloyd’s Register’s Global Head of Fire and Safety, said the guide would be extremely useful to crew members as an aide memoir. “This guide heightens awareness of seafarers, managers, charterers and shippers to the hazards associated with carrying solid bulk cargoes. Everyone involved has a responsibility to ensure cargo is accurately declared and the hazards mitigated. Now with our Chinese language version available we hope to reach an even wider audience of shipping and trading professionals. Clearly China as the biggest player in the bulk trades is a vital user group.”
Intercargo Secretary General, Rob Lomas, said: “Intercargo is pleased to have contributed to this useful publication which highlights the key responsibilities of industry stakeholders and the importance of the IMSBC Code. The guide underlines the importance of proper cargo declarations and will be a useful tool for the wider maritime community, including shippers and charterers and those who do not regularly carry dry cargoes in bulk. Getting the checklist on board ships will help expand seafarers’ knowledge, which will be of great value.”
UK P&I Club Loss Prevention Director, Karl Lumbers, emphasises that the IMSBC Code has significantly increased the obligations on both suppliers and recipients of solid cargoes. “The main purpose of the Guide is to provide on-the-spot references to help in practical situations. It outlines the precautions to be taken before accepting cargoes for shipment and the procedures to be followed for safe loading and carriage, and details the primary hazards associated with different solid bulk cargoes. In giving all parties a better appreciation of the IMSBC Code, the Guide provides greater confidence in managing the risks of carrying solid bulk cargoes and achieving compliance with SOLAS.”
Lloyd’s Register and the UK P&I Club have produced a number of checklists to aid safety and regulation compliance. Subjects have included Port State Control detention, marine fire safety and the Maritime Labour Convention.
A PDF of the pocket guide can be downloaded at www.lr.org/imsbc and hard copies can be ordered fromwww.webstore.lr.org or www.ukpandi.com.
About Lloyd’s Register
Lloyd’s Register provides independent assurance to companies operating high-risk, capital-intensive assets in the energy and transportation sectors. We enhance the safety of life, property and the environment by helping our clients to ensure the quality construction and operation of critical infrastructure.
About UK P&I Club
The United Kingdom Mutual Steam Ship Assurance Association (Bermuda) Limited, generally known as the UK Club, is a mutual association insuring the third party liabilities that arise for shipowners from the operation of their vessels.
The UK Club has a significant share of the world’s merchant shipping fleet, insuring over 120 million gross tons of shipping. Despite its name, its Members are drawn from every sector and every corner of the globe, including a significant number from China and south-east Asia.
Members receive individual support that goes far beyond that normally provided by a commercial insurer via the Club’s own network of offices and branches in London, Piraeus, New Jersey, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Beijing and Shanghai.
Dry bulk carriers are the largest ship type insured by the Club representing nearly a third of its total fleet. However, the membership also includes tankers, container carriers, gas carriers (both LPG and LNG), car carriers, RoRos, offshore support vessels, tugs, survey craft, as well as both cruise and ferry passenger ships.
This varied and international character makes the Club particularly representative of the world shipping fleet and lends the Club its abiding strength and authority. It publishes extensively on risk and liability-related topics through its publicly available website –Â www.ukpandi.com.
