Technical Circular No: 037/2023
Download PDF1. 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. IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee vide Resolution MSC.539 (107) adopted forthcoming amendments (07-23) to the IMSBC Code.
2. The amendments (07-23) to IMSBC Code will become mandatory from 1 January 2025, however Administrations may choose to apply the amendments on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2024.
3. The amendments (07-23) to IMSBC Code includes (but is not limited to);
a. Inclusion of definitions for “dynamic separation” and “Cargoes which may undergo dynamic separation” (the formation of 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) into the forms specifying the characteristics of the cargo and the required conditions for carriage and handling of that cargo.
b. Revisions to various existing individual schedules for solid bulk cargoes.
c. Following new schedules have been added to Appendix 1 of the Code:
| Cargo | Group |
| CELESTINE CONCENTRATE | A |
| BARYTE, FLOTATION CHEMICAL GRADE | A |
| BROWN FUSED ALUMINA | C |
| CRUSHED GRANODIORITE FINES | A |
| DIRECT REDUCED IRON (D) (By-product fines with moisture content of at least 2%) | A & B |
| DUNITE | C |
| DUNITE FINES | A |
| ELECTRIC ARC FURNACE DUST, PELLETIZED | A & B |
| FISH MEAL (FISH SCRAP), STABILIZED Anti-oxidant treated | B |
| GROUND GRANULATED BLAST FURNACE SLAG POWDER | A |
| MAGNESITE FINES | A |
| POTASSIUM NITRATE | C |
| SODIUM NITRATE | C |
| SODIUM NITRATE AND POTASSIUM NITRATE MIXTURE | C |
d. Existing individual schedule - FISH MEAL (FISH SCRAP), STABILIZED UN 2216 Anti-oxidant treated is deleted. (alignment of the stabilization requirements for fish meal with the IMDG Code, and classification as MHB (SH) instead of class 9).
4. The amendments (07-23) also expressly identified “bulk density (as required by SOLAS regulation XII/10)” as one of the cargo information which needs to be provided by shippers to ships before loading.
5. MSC.1/Circ.1395/Rev.5 has been revised and replaced by MSC.1/Circ.1395/Rev.6 – 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.
6. New cargo - “ELECTRIC ARC FURNACE DUST, PELLETIZED” has been added in MSC.1/Circ.1395/Rev.6.
7. 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.6.
8. Ship Owners and Operators are advised to ensure their vessels comply with the amended IMSBC Code (07-23) requirements from 1 January 2025 or earlier if required by the vessel’s flag state or the National Authorities at a port of call.
Enclosure:
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.