china-msa
  • Notice on the Implementation of IMSBC Code

    Notice on the Implementation of IMSBC Code

    of Maritime Safety Administration of the People’s Republic of China

    Haiweifang [2015]136

    The amendments to Chapter VI and VII of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974(SOLAS), as amended and the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (hereinafter referred to as “IMSBC Code”) were adopted by the 85th session of Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and will enter into force on 1 January 2011 in China as a Contracting Party to the Convention.

    In order to implement IMSBC Code, the following requirements related to the international shipment and domestic coastal shipment of solid bulk cargoes shall be complied with:

    1. Declaration and Report for Solid Bulk Cargoes

    1.1 Group B cargoes (which possess a chemical hazard that could give rise to a dangerous situation on a ship) shall be declared in the form as provided by annexes to the Notice from 1 January 2011.

    1.2 Group A cargoes (which may liquefy if shipped at a moisture content in excess of their transportable moisture limit) and Group C cargoes (which are neither liable to liquefy nor to possess chemical hazards) carried by ships shall be reported in accordance with the following requirements:

    1.2.1 Report for Export

    The ship shall submit the Annex 1 to the Maritime Safety Administration 24 hours prior to loading.

    The shipper or its agent shall submit the Annex 2 prior to loading and other relevant documents to the Maritime Safety Administration in accordance with IMSBC Code.

    1.2.2 Reportfor Import

    The ship or its agent shall submit the Annex 1 to the Maritime Safety Administration 24 hours prior to entry into port.

    The Report may be submitted via Electronic Declaration System.

    2. Test of Solid Bulk Cargoes

    In accordance with IMSBC Code, the physical and chemical properties and technical indicators of some solid bulk cargoes shall be tested prior to loading.

    For Group A cargoes (cargoes which may liquefy) listed in the IMSBC Code, the certificates of transportable moisture limit (TML) and moisture content shall be provided to the Maritime Safety Administration and the ship. A test to determine the TML of a solid bulk cargo shall be conducted within 6 months to the date of loading the cargo according to the sampling and testing procedures provided in the IMSBC code. Should any event which is likely to result in the variation of TML occur within the period, the sampling and testing of the cargo for determining the TML shall be conducted again. Sampling and testing for moisture content shall be conducted within 7 days to the date of loading the cargo according to the IMSBC code. Should the events such as precipitation which may change the moisture content of the cargo happen, the sampling and testing shall be conducted again. Cargoes having a moisture content in excess of the TML shall not be loaded for shipping.

    For the coal to be consigned, its physical and chemical proprieties shall be tested in accordance with IMSBC Code to determine the cargo group it is subject to.

    The laboratory or institution engaged in the tests specified in the preceding paragraphs shall have the corresponding qualification.

    3. Assessment on Safe Carriage of Solid Bulk Cargoes

    In accordance with the IMSBC Code, the solid bulk cargoes not specifically listed in appendix I to the Code, prior to the consignment, shall be assessed for their fitness of safe carriage with their physical and chemical properties, cargo group and shipping requirements. If the cargoes are shipped internationally, the assessment should be conducted by or circulated among the exporting country, importing country and flag State. The cargoes which have not been assessed shall not be consigned. For the detailed assessment procedures and requirements, reference may be made to the Administrative Measures on the Classification and Assessment of Bulk Liquid Cargoes Transported by Ships.

    (All information published in this website is authentic in Chinese. English is provided for reference only.)