IMSBC Code

The International Maritime Organization’s convention on Safety

of Life (SOLAS) 1974, as amended, deals with various safety
aspects for sea going vessels including carriage of cargo.
SOLAS chapter VI part A & B pertains to mandatory provisions
governing the carriage of solid bulk cargoes and Chapter VII part
B the mandatory provisions of carriage of dangerous goods in solid
form in bulk. The provisions of these chapters are amplified in
Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code). SOLAS Part
A of chapter VII deals with packaged dangerous cargo which is
amplified in International Maritime Dangerous Goods
Code (IMDG Code).

International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code

AIM
The primary aim of the IMSBC code, which replaces the Code of
safe practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code), is to facilitate the
safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes by providing
information on the dangers associated with the shipment of certain
types of solid bulk cargoes and instructions on the procedures to be
adopted when the shipment of the solid bulk cargoes is
contemplated. The IMSBC code adopted on 4 Dec 2008 by
resolution MSC.268(85), entered into force on 1 Jan 2011 from
which date it was made mandatory under the provisions of SOLAS
convention. The code was amended by resolution MSC.318(89),
incorporating amendment 01-11, which entered into force on 1 Jan
2013, The code was further amended by resolution MSC.354(92)
incorporation amendment 02-13, which may be applied from 1 Jan
2014 on a voluntary basis, anticipating its envisaged official entry
into force on 1 Jan 2015.
In order to keep pace with the expansion and progress of industry,
the IMSBC code, as amended, includes
1. Fully updated individual schedules for solid bulk cargoes.
2. References to the text of SOLAS 1974 as most recently
amended.
3. Updated information from the 2012 edition of the IMDG
code

IMSBC Code became mandatory from 1st January 2011.

Table of Contents in IMSBC Code

 Foreword
 Section 1 General provisions and definitions
 Section 2 General loading, carriage and unloading
precautions
 Section 3 Safety of personnel and ship
 Section 4 Assessment of acceptability of consignments for
safe shipment
 Section 5 Trimming procedures
 Section 6 Methods of determining angle of repose
 Section 7 Cargoes that may liquefy
 Section 8 Test procedures for cargoes that may liquefy
 Section 9 Materials possessing chemical hazards
 Section 10 Carriage of solid bulk wastes
 Section 11 Security provisions
 Section 12 Stowage factor conversion tables
 Section 13 References
 Appendix 1 Individual schedules of solid bulk cargoes
 Appendix 2 Laboratory test procedures, associated apparatus
and standards
 Appendix 3 Properties of solid bulk cargoes
 Appendix 4 Index of solid bulk cargoes
Considering safety solid bulk cargoes are divided into Group A, B
&C
GroupA
consists of cargoes which may liquefy if shipped at moisture
content in excess of their transportable moisture limit.

GroupB
consists of cargoes which possess a chemical hazard which could
give rise to a dangerous situation on a ship.

GroupC
consists of cargoes which are neither liable to liquefy (Group
A) nor to possess chemical hazards (Group B).

Hazard classification
Dangerous goods are classified in accordance with chapter 2 of the
IMDG Code.
Class 4.1: Flammable solids: The materials in this class are
readily combustible solids and solids which may cause fire through
friction.
Class 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion: The
materials in this class are materials, other than pyrophoric
materials, which, in contact with air without energy supply, are
liable to self-heating.
Class 4.3: Substances which, in contact with water, emit
flammable gases: The materials in this class are solids which, by
interaction with water, are liable to become spontaneously
flammable or to give off flammable gases in dangerous quantities.
Class 5.1: Oxidizing substances: The materials in this class are
materials while in themselves not necessarily combustible, may,
generally by yielding oxygen cause, or contribute to, the
combustion of other material.
Class 6.1: Toxic substances: The materials in this class are
materials liable either to cause death or serious injury or to harm
human health if swallowed or inhaled, or by skin contact.
Class 7: Radioactive materials: The materials in this class are
any materials containing radionuclides where both the activity
concentration and the total activity in the consignment exceed the
values specified in 2.7.7.2.1 to 2.7.7.2.6 of the IMDG Code.
Class 8: Corrosive substances: The materials in this class are
materials which, by chemical action, will cause severe damage
when in contact with living tissue or will materially damage, or
even destroy, other goods or the means of transport.
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles: The
materials in this class are materials and articles which, during
transport, present a danger not covered by other classes.

Some definitions:

Solid bulk cargo

means any cargo, other than liquid or gas, consisting of a
combination of particles, granules or any larger pieces of material
generally uniform in composition, which is loaded directly into the
cargo spaces of a ship without any intermediate form of
containment.
Dangerous goods in solid form in bulk means any material, other
than liquid or gas, consisting of a combination of particles,
granules or any larger pieces of material, generally uniform in
composition, which is covered by the IMDG Code and is loaded
directly into the cargo spaces of a ship without any intermediate
form of containment, and includes such materials loaded in a barge
on a barge-carrying ship.
Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) of a cargo which may
liquefy means the maximum moisture content of the cargo which is
considered safe for carriage in ships other than specially
constructed or fitted cargo ships (see 7.3.2 of IMBSC Code for full
details).
Let’s have a look at the provisions of carriage of dangerous goods
in solid form in bulk.
IMDG Code deals with dangerous goods in packaged form.
Packaged form means dangerous goods packed in packages
specified in IMDG Code, eg; UN 1942 AMMONIUM NITRATE
packed in Woven plastics water-resistant bags. If we load UN 1942
AMMONIUM NITRATE directly in to the holds of a cargo ship
without packing in bags then the provisions of IMBSC Code has to
be applied.
Cargoes are identified and listed in IMSBC Code with Bulk Cargo
Shipping Name (BCSN). All names are listed in appendix 4 of
IMSBC Code in an alphabetical order together with their group
name and references if any.
In order to understand the provisions of carriage of dangerous
goods in bulk let us look at FERROSILICON. In appendix 4
(Index of solid bulk cargoes) Ferrosilicon is listed as below

In Appendix 1 (Individual schedules of solid bulk cargoes)

Ferrosilicon is listed and twice first entry reads FERROSILICON
UN 1408 which is same as above listed in the index.
The entry in appendix 1 gives full details of Ferrosilicon UN 1408
as below
 FERROSILICON UN 1408 with 30% or more but less than 90%
silicon (including briquettes)

DESCRIPTION

Ferrosilicon is an extremely heavy cargo.

CHARACTERISTICS

ANGLE OF STOWAGE FACTOR

BULK DENSITY (kg/m3)
REPOSE (m3/t)
1389 to 2083
0.48 to 0.72
Not applicable
(1111 to 1538 for
(0.65 to 0.90 for briquettes)
briquettes)
SIZE CLASS GROUP
Up to 300 mm
4.3 6.1 B
Briquettes
HAZARD

In contact with moisture or water it may evolve hydrogen, a

flammable gas which may form explosive mixtures with air and
may, under similar circumstances, produce phosphine and arsine,
which are highly toxic gases. This cargo is non-combustible or has
a low fire-risk.

STOWAGE & SEGREGATION

“Separated from” foodstuffs and all class 8 liquids.

HOLD CLEANLINESS

Clean and dry as relevant to the hazards of the cargo.

WEATHER PRECAUTIONS

This cargo shall be kept as dry as practicable before loading,

during loading and during voyage. This cargo shall not be loaded
during precipitation. During loading of this cargo all non-working
hatches of the cargo spaces to which this cargo are loaded or to be
loaded shall be closed.

LOADING

Trim in accordance with the relevant provisions required under

sections 4 and 5 of the Code. As the density of the cargo is
extremely high, the tanktop may be overstressed unless the cargo is
evenly spread across the tanktop to equalize the weight
distribution. Due consideration shall be paid to ensure that tanktop
is not overstressed during voyage and during loading by a pile of
the cargo. Refer to the appendix to this schedule.

PRECAUTIONS

The manufacturer or the shipper shall provide the master with a

certificate stating that, after manufacture, the cargo was stored
under cover, but exposed to dry weather for not less than three
days prior to shipment.

VENTILATION
Continuous mechanical ventilation shall be conducted during the
voyage for the cargo spaces carrying this cargo. If maintaining
ventilation endangers the ship or the cargo, it may be interrupted
unless there is a risk of explosion or other danger due to
interruption of the ventilation. In any case mechanical ventilation
shall be maintained for a reasonable period prior to discharge.
Refer to the appendix to this schedule.

CARRIAGE

For quantitative measurements of hydrogen, phosphine and arsine,

suitable detectors for each gas or combination of gases shall be on
board while this cargo is carried. The detectors shall be of certified
safe type for use in explosive atmosphere. The concentrations of
these gases in the cargo spaces carrying this cargo shall be
measured regularly, during voyage, and the results of the
measurements shall be recorded and kept on board.

DISCHARGE

Refer to the appendix to this schedule.

CLEAN-UP

After discharge of this cargo, the cargo spaces shall be swept clean
twice. Water shall not be used for cleaning of the cargo space
which has contained this cargo, because of danger of gas.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

SPECIAL EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT TO BE CARRIED

Self-contained breathing apparatus.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Wear self-contained breathing apparatus.

EMERGENCY ACTION IN THE EVENT OF FIRE

Batten down and use CO2 if available. Do not use water.

MEDICAL FIRST AID

Refer to the Medical First Aid Guide (MFAG), as amended.

The entry further contains APPENDIX: GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR CARRIAGE OF FERROSILICON and
detailed requirements, operational requirements, gas releases from
ferrosilicon impurities when water is added.

Under Precautions, see above, manufacturer or shipper is required

to provide a certificate which is similar to IMDG Code
requirement of ‘weathering certificate”.

Similar to Dangerous Goods transport document required by

IMDG Code IMSBC Code require a declaration from shipper, see
below image. This declaration must be furnished well in advance
of loading to enable the precautions which may be necessary for
proper stowage and safe carriage of the cargo to be put into effect.
Apart from Dangerous Goods listed in IMDG Code there are some
goods which possess dangerous properties when carried in bulk.
These goods are called Materials hazardous only in bulk (MHB).

One example of MHB is WOOD PELLETS. This is a group B

cargo (cargoes which possess a chemical hazard), in appendix 1
class for this entry reads “MHB” with stowage and segregation
requirement as for class 4.1 materials ( flammable solids)

Please refer to IMSBC Code for full details.