MARINE NOTICE 13 / 2010:
The Safe Loading/Unloading, Stowage and Shipment of Solid Bulk Cargoes
Supersedes Marine Notice 26/2007
The purpose of this Marine Notice is to highlight to all those involved in the shipment of bulk cargoes (in particular the shippers) the risks associated with the loading, stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes and to reinforce obligations under Marine Orders (MO) Part 34 - Solid bulk cargoes.
MO Part 34 is mandatory for Australian registered vessels and for foreign vessels within Australian territorial waters, ports, or internal waters. It gives effect to the Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) Convention Chapter VI (Carriage of cargoes) , Chapter VII (Carriage of dangerous goods) and the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes, 2004 (BC Code).
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed that the BC Code will be replaced by the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code and Supplement (2009 Edition) (the IMSBC Code), which will become mandatory by virtue of SOLAS Chapter VI Regulation 1.2 on 1 January 2011.
The primary aim of the IMSBC Code is to facilitate the safe loading/unloading, 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 solid bulk cargoes is contemplated.
AMSA will be amending MO Part 34 to mandate compliance with the IMSBC Code from the 1st January 2011. The IMO has also urged Member Governments to introduce the IMSBC Code early and as such AMSA has issued a ’Certificate of Equivalence’ which allows the IMSBC Code to be used in substitution for the BC Code prior to this date.
AMSA has developed two fact sheets that provide additional guidance regarding Solid Bulk Cargoes.
- Solid Bulk Cargoes Information Sheet
This details the requirements regarding Bulk Cargo Shipping Name (BCSN), Oxygen depleting cargoes, Transportable Moisture Limits (TML) and tripartite agreements.
- Loading and Unloading of Solid Bulk Cargoes
This details the requirements and responsibilities of terminal operators and ships with regard to loading/unloading plans.
These fact sheets can be accessed from AMSA’s website: www.amsa.gov.au/Shipping_Safety/cargoes_and_dangerous_goods/
Shippers and masters are also reminded that routine ship inspections by AMSA surveyors will monitor compliance with the provisions of MO Part 34, including shipper declared information and vessel loading/unloading and stowage plans. Additionally, shippers and masters are advised that MO Part 34 allows AMSA to take action in regard to unsafe or inadequate cargo arrangements. This may require corrective action before vessels can load or continue to load, and may include criminal prosecution for identified breaches.
MO Part 34 is available from AMSA’s website at www.amsa.gov.au
The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code and Supplement (2009 Edition) (IMO publication EE260E) can be purchased directly from the IMO through their website www.imo.org The IMO website also provides a list of Australian distributors of IMO publications.
Mick Kinley
A/g Chief Executive Officer
7 June 2010
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181,
Canberra City ACT 2601
File No: 2009/420
Internet Address for all current Marine Notices: www.amsa.gov.au