Information Paper

IACS Actions to Improve Safety on Existing Bulk Carriers

and
DNV Implementation Procedures

• Requirements
• Status
• Implementation
• Procedures

By
Det Norske Veritas
August 2003

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1. Introduction
On 15 March 2002 IACS announced 8 proposed measures to enhance the safety of bulk carriers.
This involves all IACS members and is directed primarily at existing bulk carriers. Together with
IACS extensive work programme concerning new vessels, these IACS measures address
continued public and industry concerns over bulk carrier safety following recent losses.
Two of the measures (No 3 and 8) have been adjusted to correspond to the new SOLAS Ch XII
regulations 12 and 13 for water ingress detection and alarms.
Two of the measures (No 4 and 6) have been reduced or withdrawn as a consequence of further
Formal Safety Analysis (FSA).

The purpose of this document is to provide DNV clients and surveyors with the current status of
the originally proposed 8 measures applicable to existing bulk carriers.

This paper is an up-date if the Information Paper issued in October 2002.

2. The 8 Measures
The new measures for existing vessels will, inter alia, accelerate the schedule for strengthening of
the foremost cargo hold’s transverse corrugated bulkhead and double bottom, address the strength
of the side structure in cargo holds, increase requirements for forward hatch covers, and will
further increase the requirements of the IACS Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP) earlier in the
service life of these ships.

The original 8 measures were announced in two sets as follows:

Set 1: Three adopted Measures (Measures 1-3)

Measure 1 - Earlier implementation of SOLAS Chapter XII requirements. The objective is to
bring forward the reinforcement of the corrugated transverse bulkhead between
No.1 and No.2 holds and the double bottom of No. 1 hold.

Measure 2 - Adoption of a new revision of UR Z10.2 (Hull Surveys of Bulk Carriers)

Measure 3 - Water ingress alarms in all cargo holds (This measure has been amended)

Set 2: Newly developed Measures (Measures 4-8)

Measure 4 - Requirements for the installation of a breakwater on existing bulk carriers or
alternatively, reinforcing forward hatch coaming. This measure has been removed
from the action list.

Measure 5 - Requirements to increase the integrity of fore-deck fittings on existing and new
bulk carriers, to resist green water loading.

Measure 6 - Implementation of hatch cover requirements within the forward 0.25 L of existing
vessels. This measure has been removed from the action list except for
requirements to the securing arrangement of hatch covers.

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Measure 7 - Implementation of requirements for the strength of side shell frames of existing
vessels

Measure 8 - Fitting of water ingress detection and alarms for spaces forward of the cargo area
(This measure has been amended)

3. Requirement, Status and Implementation Procedures

Measure 1 – Bulkhead between No.1 & 2 Cargo Hold and Double
Bottom in No.1 hold
Requirement
To accelerate implementation of existing IACS UR S19 (Strength of bulkhead between hold no. 1
and 2), S22 (Strength of double bottom below hold no.1) and S23(damage stability with hold
No.1 flooded). The above UR’s are applicable to existing bulk carriers with single side skin
above 150 in length. The complete text of UR S19, 22 and 23 is adopted in DNV Rules Pt.7 Ch.1
Sec. 3, E, F and G.

Status
The accelerated implementation has been included in the January 2003 edition of the DNV Rules,
due for publishing within short time.

Implementation Schedule
The implementation of IACS UR S19, 22 and 23 has been accelerated as follows:

i) for ships that were 20 years of age or more on 1 July 1998, by the due date of the first
intermediate, or the due date of the first complete periodical survey to be held after 1 July 1998,
whichever comes first;

ii) for ships that were 15 years of age or more but less than 20 years of age on 1 July 1998, by the
due date of the first complete periodical survey to be held after 1 July 1998, but not later than 1
July 2002;

iii) for ships that were 10 years of age or more but less than 15 years of age on 1 July 1998, by the
due date of the first intermediate or the due date of the first special survey to be held after the date
on which the ship reaches 15 years of age but not later than the date on which the ship reaches 17
years of age;

iv) for ships which were 5 years of age or more but less than 10 years of age on 1 July 1998, by
the due date, after 1 July 2003, of the first intermediate or first special survey after the date on
which the ship reaches 10 years of age, whichever occurs first;

v) for ships which were less than 5 years of age on 1 July 1998, by the date on which the ship
reaches 10 years of age.

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 Implementation Procedures
DNV will follow existing procedures and write to the owner with information on strengthening of
bulkhead and double bottom, as well as results of damage stability check. The calculations are
carried out assuming flooding of hold no. 1 up to main deck level and the strength of the
bulkhead and double bottom should be adequate to withstand pressure from cargo and water
filling of hold no.1. In most cases the bulkhead needs strengthening while the double bottom is
normally satisfactory as is. Damage stability is normally a problem only on bulk carriers with 4 or
5 holds due to the larger length of the holds compared to the ship length. DNV will issue a
Memo to Owner(MO) to inform owners, attending surveyor’s etc. of relevant due date and give
reference to the mentioned letter.

Please contact Ships in Operation, Hull department MTPNO864 ( E-mail:

MTPNO864@dnv.com) for further information.

Measure 2 - Adoption of a new revision of UR Z10.2 (Hull Surveys of

Bulk Carriers)
Requirement
IACS has adopted a revision of UR Z10.2 on Hull Surveys of Bulk Carriers covering extent of
close up inspection and scope of the intermediate survey as follows:

Extent of close up inspection

The minimum requirement to close up survey is amended as shown in the table below, this is
Table F1 in our Rules Pt.7 Ch2 Sec.3. The new text is underlined deleted text is strikethrough):

Table F1 Minimum requirement for close-up examination at complete periodical hull surveys of dry bulk
cargo ships
Complete periodical survey Complete periodical survey Complete periodical Complete periodical
no. 1 no. 2 survey no. 3 survey no. 4 and
Age ≤ 5 5 < Age ≤ 10 10 < Age ≤ 15 subsequent
Age > 15
1. 1. 1. 1.
25% of frames in the 25% of shell frames in all All shell frames in the All shell frames in all
forward cargo hold at cargo holds All shell forward cargo hold and cargo holds, including
representative positions. frames in the forward cargo 25% of frames in all upper and lower end
Selected frames in hold and 25% of shell remaining cargo holds, attachments and adjacent
remaining cargo holds. frames in each of the including upper and shell plating.
remaining cargo holds, lower end attachments
including upper and lower and adjacent shell
end attachments and plating.
adjacent shell plating.
2. 2. 2. 2.
One transverse web with One transverse web with All transverse webs with As for complete
associated plating and associated plating and associated plating and periodical survey no. 3.
longitudinals in two longitudinals in each ballast longitudinals in each
representative ballast tanks tank (i.e. topside, hopper ballast tank (i.e. topside,
of each type (i.e. topside, side or side tank). hopper side or side tank).
hopper side or side tank).

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3.
Two selected cargo hold
transverse bulkheads,
including internal structure
of upper and lower stools,
where fitted.
4.
All cargo hold hatch covers
and coamings.
3.
Forward and aft transverse
bulkhead in one side ballast
tank, including stiffening
system.
4.
As for complete periodical
survey no. 1.
5.
One transverse bulkhead in
each cargo hold All cargo
hold transverse bulkheads,
including internal structure
of upper and lower stools,
where fitted.
6.
Selected areas of deck
plating inside line of hatch
openings between cargo
hold hatches.
All deck plating and under
deck structure inside line of
hatch openings between all
cargo hold hatches.
3. 3.
All transverse bulkheads As for complete
in ballast tanks, periodical survey no. 3.
including stiffening
system.
4. 4.
As for complete As for complete
periodical survey no. 1. periodical survey no. 3.
5. 5.
All cargo hold transverse As for complete
bulkheads, including periodical survey no. 32.
internal structure of
upper and lower stools,
where fitted. As for
complete periodical
survey no. 2.
6. 6.
All deck plating inside As for complete
line of hatch openings periodical survey no. 3.
between cargo hold 2.
hatches.
As for complete
periodical survey no. 2.

Intermediate survey
Intermediate Survey for bulk carriers of 10-15 years of age is to have essentially the same scope
as Special Survey No.2. However, the bottom survey afloat may be considered in lieu of a bottom
survey out of water, in addition, testing of cargo and ballast tanks is not required unless deemed
necessary by the surveyor.

Status
The above requirements have been included in the January 2003 edition of the DNV Rules, due
for publishing within short time. Owners and DNV surveyors should be aware that some Survey
Planning documents are already issued with the old Rule text, these documents are amended and
re-sent to the owners.

Implementation Schedule:
Affected Special and Intermediate Surveys commenced on or after 1 January 2003.

Implementation Procedures:
The Survey Planning documents have been updated with the new requirements and the surveyors
have been informed. Otherwise no particular implementation procedures have been found
necessary.

Please contact Ships in Operation, Hull department MTPNO864, E-mail:

(MTPNO864@dnv.com) for further information.

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Measure 3 - Water ingress alarms in all Cargo Holds
and Forward Spaces
Status
IACS has decided to withdraw the previously amended URS24 and issue a new UR
corresponding to the new IMO requirements. The present version will be maintained, applicable
to vessels being built until the new UR/IMO requirements become applicable. The new UR will
have the same technical content as in the adopted IMO amendment to SOLAS Ch XII, which was
finally adopted at MSC76 in December last year, see below.

This requirement will be included in the DNV Rules of 1.January 2004.

Requirement
Water Ingress Alarms (SOLAS CHAPTER XII Regulation 12 ADDITIONAL
SAFETY MEASURES FOR BULK CARRIERS)

Bulk carriers constructed before 1 July 2004 shall comply with the requirements of this
regulation.
Bulk carriers shall be fitted with type tested water level detectors giving audible and visual alarms
at the navigation bridge such:

- in each cargo hold, when the water level above the inner bottom in any hold reaches
a height of 0.5 m, and at a height not less than 15% of the depth of the cargo hold but
not more than 2.0 m

- in any ballast tank forward of the collision bulkhead when the liquid in the tank
reaches a level not exceeding 10% of the tank capacity

- in any dry or void space other than a chain cable locker, any part of which extends
forward of the foremost cargo hold

Special attention should be made to the following:

- Detector equipment shall be type tested and approved by DNV

- Detectors shall demonstrate their robustness and suitability for the selected range of
cargos.
- The function of the detection assembly with any filtration arrangement shall be
verified.
- Detectors/cables and any associated equipment installed in cargo holds shall be
protected from damage by cargoes or mechanical handling equipment
- Any change/modification to ship’s structure, electrical systems or piping systems that
involves cutting and/or welding shall be approved by DNV before work is carried
out.

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Implementation Schedule
This requirement will be implemented with the same schedule as the SOLAS Chapter XII,
regulation 12 which is the first annual, intermediate or renewal survey after 1 July 2004.

Implementation Procedure
A Memo to Owner(MO) will be issued for the vessel stating the latest applicability date for the
vessel in question. Within this time limit, the system is to be designed, approved and installed
onboard. When the installation is confirmed installed and functioning by our attending surveyor,
the MO will be deleted.

Ship in Operation, follow up

The system will be followed up after installation and surveyed and tested in connection with
periodical surveys. The detail procedures have not yet been decided.

For more info on the technical aspects of this requirement please contact the Control Systems
department MTPNO372 (E-mail: MTPNO372@dnv.com)

Measure 4 - Requirements for the installation of a breakwater on

existing bulk carriers or alternatively, reinforcing forward
hatch coaming
It has been decided, on basis of further FSA studies, not to implement this measure.

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Measure 5 - Requirements to increase the integrity of fore-deck fittings
on existing and new bulk carriers, to resist green water
loading.

Requirement
UR S26 & S27 have been developed to provide strength requirements to resist green sea forces
for air pipes, vent pipes and their closing devices, windlasses and small hatches on exposed fore
decks over the forward 0.25L. For existing ships they are applicable to ventilators, air pipes and
small hatches on the exposed deck serving spaces forward of the collision bulkhead and to spaces
which extend over this line aft-wards on bulk carriers, general dry cargo ships (excluding
container vessels, vehicle carriers, Ro-Ro ships and woodchip carriers), and combination carriers
(e.g. OBO ships, Ore/Oil Carriers, etc.), of length 100m or more.

The design loads on the air pipe and ventilator coamings, small hatch coamings and covers, have
been increased compared to standard design loads up to now. This may require fitting of
additional brackets to air pipe and ventilator coamings, and additional stiffeners on hatch
coamings and covers.

Also securing of hatch covers is covered in the new UR, and may require modification and fitting
of a secondary securing device.

Extended survey requirements for automatic air pipe heads will also be introduced.

Status
The technical requirements have been adopted by the IACS Council. The new unified
requirement have been introduced into the DNV Rule amendments July 2003, Pt.7 Ch.1 Sec.6.

Implementation Schedule
The implementation date will be 1 January 2004 and the implementation schedule is as
follows:

i. For ships which will be 15 years of age or more on the implementation date by the due
date of the first intermediate or renewal survey.
ii. For ships which will be 10 years of age or more on the implementation date by the due
date of the first renewal survey
iii. For ships which will be less than 10 years of age on the implementation date by the date
on which the ship reaches 10 years of age.

Implementation Procedure
A Memo to Owner (MO) will be issued for the vessel stating the applicability date for the vessel
in question. Within the specified time limit, the system is to be documented and approved, and
any new installation verified carried out onboard. Some of the items are of a nature that can be
confirmed by the surveyor directly. When the installation is confirmed acceptable/installed by our
attending surveyor, the Memo for Owner will be deleted.

Ships in Operation, follow up

The system will be followed up after installation and surveyed and tested in connection with
periodical surveys. The detail procedures have not yet been decided.

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Please contact Ships in Operation, Stability, Load Line &Tonnage department MTPNO865
(E-mail: MTPNO865@dnv.com) for further information.

Measure 6 - Implementation of hatch cover requirements within the

forward 0.25 L of existing vessels

The extent of this requirement has been reduced, the increased hatch cover lateral loading
will not be implemented.

Requirement
Additional requirements to securing of hatch covers nos. 1 and 2 are covered in the proposal to
UR S30 and will in many cases require modifications and reinforcements.
The requirements include horizontal stoppers of covers and additional strength requirements to
the securing arrangements. Relevant horizontal loading is 175 kN/m2 to the side and front of no. 1
and 2 hatch covers, if there is no forecastle fitted, the front loading of no. 1 hatch cover will be
230 kN/m2.
The horizontal stopper arrangements do normally not fulfil the above requirements and in
most cases design modifications will be required. It will therefore normally be necessary to
contact the hatch cover designer or a consulting engineer in order to prepare modification
drawings for approval.

Status
The requirements have been included in UR S30 and is included in our Rules Pt.7 Ch.1 Sec.6.

Implementation Schedule
The implementation date will be 1 January 2004, the implementation schedule is as follows:

• For ships which will be 15 years of age or more on the implementation date by the due
date of the first intermediate or renewal survey
• For ships which will be 10 years of age or more on the implementation date by the due
date of the first renewal survey
• For ships which will be less than 10 years of age on the implementation date by the date
on which the vessel reaches 10 years of age

Implementation Procedure
A Memo to Owner(MO) will be issued for the vessel stating the applicability date for the vessel
in question. Within this time limit, the stopper system is to be designed, approved and installed
onboard. The scantlings of the cleats are to be documented and submitted for approval. When the
installation of stoppers is confirmed installed and functioning by our attending surveyor, and the
documentation of the cleating system has been verified in order, the Memo for Owner will be
deleted and replaced by a MO to that effect.

Ship in Operation, follow up

The system will be followed up after installation and surveyed in connection with periodical
surveys applicable to hatchways and covers. The detail procedures have not yet been decided.

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Please contact Ships in Operation, Hull department (MTPNO864, E-mail:
MTPNO864@dnv.com) for further information.

Measure 7 - Implementation of requirements for the strength of side

shell frames of existing vessels
Requirement
To develop requirements taking into consideration IACS UR S12, which is applicable only to
side frames of new bulk carriers.

The proposed requirements to side frames establish basically a two level approach. One level
where the structure is protected and reinforced according to the following scheme:

• sandblasting and coating

• fitting tripping brackets
• maintaining the coating in “as-new” condition at Special or Intermediate surveys.

and another level where renewal is required.

Dependent on the original scantlings, some vessels will meet the requirement to renewal before
they reach the level for sandblasting and coating. The requirements are based on present UR S12
requirements with additional strength checks to verify shear and bending strength. In some cases
vessels will be required sandblasted and coated on basis of the original scantlings.

In order to produce the new minimum thickness list for the side frames in the holds it is necessary
to carry out relatively complicated calculations according to the new Rules. These calculations
require extensive information about the scantlings of the side frames as well as the hold
geometry, especially in hold 1, but also in the aft most hold. The geometry of each side frame is
different in these holds.

The required information is in many cases not available in our files and will therefore have to be
collected. The Owners will be contacted in this respect with request regarding the required
additional information. It is foreseen that this can be difficult to obtain, in such cases it may be
necessary to carry out measurements onboard to find the necessary information.

Status
The technical requirements have been adopted by the IACS Council. The new unified
requirement will be introduced into the DNV Rule amendments July 2003

Implementation Schedule
The implementation date will be 1 January 2004 and the implementation schedule is as follows:

• For ships which will be 15 years of age or more on the implementation date by the due
date of the first intermediate or renewal survey
• For ships which will be 10 years of age or more on the implementation date by the due
date of the first renewal survey
• For ships which will be less than 10 years of age on the implementation date by the date
on which the vessel reaches 10 years of age

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Implementation Procedure
A Memo to Owner (MO) will be issued for the vessel stating the applicability date for the vessel
in question. Within this time limit new minimum scantling requirements have to be in place and
the scantlings have to be verified in compliance with the new Rules. The updated requirements
with regard to frame scantlings will be included in the Planning Document.

In cases where sandblasting, coating and reinforcements have been carried out, there will be a
follow-up requirement. It has not yet been decided how this will be handled.

Ship in Operation, follow up

The system will be followed up after installation and surveyed and tested in connection with
periodical surveys. The detail procedures have not yet been decided.

Please contact Ships in Operation, Hull department MTPNO864 (E-mail:

MTPNO864@dnv.com) for further information.

Measure 8 - Bilging capacity for spaces forward of the cargo area

Requirement
This requirement has been changed since the introduction. There are now two requirements, one
covering the alarm for the cargo holds and the spaces forward of the collision bulkhead, see
measure 3, and one concerning bilging out the water in the spaces forward of the collision
bulkhead.

Status
It has been decided that the IACS requirement will have the same technical content as in the IMO
amendment to SOLAS Ch XII regulation 13 which was finally adopted at MSC76 in December
last year.

Implementation
IACS intends to implement these requirements with the same implementation schedule as the
SOLAS Chapter XII. Regulation 13, which is at the first Intermediate or Renewal Survey after 1
July 2004.

For more info on the technical aspects of this requirement please contact the Cargo Handling,
Piping System & Marpol department MTPNO880 (E-mail: MTPNO880@dnv.com).

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