IMSBC Code – 7th Amendment

Notice to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators / Surveyors / Auditors

C24060 | 06 November 2024

This Circular is issued to advise that the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code 7th Amendment, which was adopted by the IMO MSC 107th session, will enter into force on 01 January 2025, and will after that be mandatory for all ships loading solid bulk cargoes. The amendments can be found in the Annex to Resolution MSC.539(107).

Key amendments to note are:

• The following cargoes are newly introduced into Group A:
  • Baryte, Flotation Chemical Grade,
  • Crushed Granodiorite Fines,
  • Dunite Fines,
  • Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Powder,
  • Magnesite Fines.
• The following cargoes are amended in Group B:
  • Fish Meal (Fish Scrap), Stabilized (change of IMO class)
• The following cargoes are newly introduced into Group C:
  • Brown Fused Alumina,
  • Dunite,
  • Potassium Nitrate,
  • Sodium Nitrate,
  • Sodium Nitrate and Potassium Nitrate Mixture
• The following cargoes are newly introduced in Groups A & B:
  • Direct Reduced Iron (D) (By-product fines with moisture content of at least 2%),
  • Electric Arc Furnace Dust, Pelletized
• Vessels already certified for IMSBC Code Group B will need to comply with the following new ventilation requirements depending on intended cargoes:
  • ML2: At least two mechanical ventilation fans are to be provided for cargo holds. The total ventilation is to be at least six air changes per hour. Ventilation openings are to comply with the requirements of the Load Line Convention, as amended, for openings not fitted with means of closure. The height of coaming is to be equal to or more than the regulated height (Position 1: 4.5 m, Position 2: 2.3 m).
  • ML1: A mechanical ventilation fan is to be provided for cargo holds. Ventilation openings are to comply with the requirements of the Load Line Convention as amended for openings not fitted with means of closure. The height of coaming is to be equal to or more than the regulated height (Position 1: 4.5 m, Position 2: 2.3 m).
  • MSp: Two spare sets of ventilation equipment are to be provided onboard.

• The IMSBC Code fitness certificate must be re-issued on or after 1 Jan 2025 at the request of the owners/managers.

• The list of cargoes for Exemption Certificates (for Fixed Fire Extinguishing Arrangements in cargo spaces) relating to safety equipment certificates which are issued per MSC/Circ.1395 will be revised from Rev.5 to Rev.6 on 1 Jan 2025.

Act now

All Ship Owners / Managers / Operators should ensure that they request the re-issuance of their IMSBC Code fitness certificates in a timely manner, and take heed of the amendments to specific cargoes and ventilation requirements.

DBS has already revised its procedures, certificate forms and their attachments with cargo groups to be applied on 01 January 2025. Surveyors / Auditors should ensure they are familiar with the 7th amendment of the IMSBC Code.