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1. The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code is subject to updates every two years to reflect the changes in the nature and variety of solid bulk cargoes presented for shipment. In April 2022, IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee adopted Resolution MSC.500 (105) specifying forthcoming amendments (06-21) to the IMSBC Code.

2. The amendments (06-21) to IMSBC Code will become mandatory from 1 December 2023, however Administrations may choose to apply the amendments on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2023. 

3. The amendments (06-21) to IMSBC Code includes (but is not limited to);

a. A revised definition of Group A to include dynamic separation as well as liquefaction. The revised definition reads – “Group A consists of cargoes which possesses a hazard due moisture that may result in liquefaction or dynamic separation if shipped at a moisture content in excess of their transportable moisture limit.”

b. New definition for Dynamic separation is included and reads - "Dynamic separation means the phenomenon of forming a liquid slurry (water and fine solids) above the solid material, resulting in a free surface effect which may significantly affect the ship's stability."

a. Revisions to various existing individual schedules for solid bulk cargoes.

b. Reclassification of Ammonium Nitrate based fertilizer (non-hazardous) and new individual schedules and clarification of the term ‘intrinsically safe’ for the same.

c. In the heading for "Section 7", the words "Cargoes which may liquefy" is replaced with the words "Cargoes which may liquefy or undergo dynamic separation".

d. Following new schedules have been added to Appendix 1 of the Code:

e. Existing individual schedule - Ammonium Nitrate based fertilizer (non-hazardous) and Superphosphate (triple, granular) are deleted.

4. MSC.1/Circ.1395/Rev.4 has been revised and replaced by MSC.1/Circ.1395/Rev.5 – Lists of solid bulk cargoes for which a fixed gas fire extinguishing system may be exempted or for which a fixed gas fire extinguishing system is ineffective.

Following new cargoes have been added in MSC.1/Circ.1395/Rev.5

• AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILIZER MHB
• SUPERPHOSPHATE (TRIPLE, GRANULAR)
• LEACH RESIDUE CONTAINING LEAD

For Ships which are issued with Exemption certificate for fixed gas fire extinguishing system, if the above mentioned cargoes are carried or intended to be carried, exemption certificate will need to be replaced due to change to addendum i.e. MSC.1/Circ.1395/Rev.5.

5. Ship Owners and Operators are advised to ensure their vessels comply with the amended IMSBC Code (06-21) requirements from 1 December 2023 or earlier if required by the vessel’s flag state or the National Authorities at a port of call.

Enclosure:

• IMO Resolution, MSC. 500 (105).

• MSC Circular – MSC.1/Circ. 1395/Rev.5

Disclaimer:

This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority. 

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