IMO IGC Code

Preamble

Preamble

1 The purpose of this Code* is to provide an international standard for the safe carriage by sea in
bulk of liquefied gases and certain other substances listed in chapter 19 of the Code, by prescribing the
design and construction standards of ships involved in such carriage and the equipment they should
carry so as to minimize the risk to the ship, to its crew and to the environment, having regard to the
nature of the products involved.

2 The basic philosophy is one of ship types related to the hazards of the products covered by the
Code. Each of the products may have one or more hazard properties which include flammability, toxic-
ity, corrosivity and reactivity. A further possible hazard may arise due to the products being transported
under cryogenic or pressure conditions.

3 Severe collisions or strandings could lead to cargo tank damage and result in uncontrolled
release of the product. Such release could result in evaporation and dispersion of the product and, in
some cases, could cause brittle fracture of the ship's hull. The requirements in the Code are intended to
minimize this risk as far as is practicable, based upon present knowledge and technology.

4 Throughout the development of the Code it was recognized that it must be based upon sound
naval architectural and engineering principles and the best understanding available as to the hazards of
the various products covered ; furthermore that gas carrier design technology is not only a complex
technology but is rapidly evolving and that the Code should not remain static. Therefore the Organiza-
tion will periodically review the Code taking into account both experience and future development.

5 Requirements for new products and their conditions of carriage will be circulated as recom-
mendations, on an interim basis, when adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the Organization,
prior to the entry into force of the appropriate amendments, under the terms of article VIII of the Inter-
national Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974.

6 The Code primarily deals with ship design and equipment. In order to ensure the safe transport
of the products the total system must, however, be appraised. Other important facets of the safe trans-
port of the products, such as training, operation, traffic control and handling in port, are being or will be
examined further by the Organization.

* The 1993 edition of the IGC Code comprises the annex to resolution MSC.5(48) and incorporates amendments adopted by
resolution MSC.30(61).
Note of the Society: In respect of the IMO 1993 Edition this text of the IGC Code includes:
- the amendments adopted with Resolutions MSC.32(63) on 23 May 1994 and MSC.59(67) on 5 December 1996
which entered into force on 1 July 1998
- the amendments adopted with Resolutions MSC.17(58) on 24 May 1990 which entered into force on 3 February 2000
(Application of Harmonized System of Survey and Certification to the IGC Code)
- the amendments adopted with Resolution MSC.103(73) on 5 December 2000, which entered into force on 1 July
2002.
The Appendix “Model Form of International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk” has not been
reproduced.

1
IMO IGC Code
Preamble

7 The development of the Code has been greatly assisted by the work of the International Associ-
ation of Classification'Societies (IACS) and full account has been taken of the IACS. Unified
Requirements for Liquefied Gas Tankers in chapters 4, 5 and 6.

8 The relevant work of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has contributed sub-
stantially to the development of chapter 10.

9 Chapter 18 of the Code dealing with operation of liquefied gas carriers highlights the regula-
tions in other chapters that are operational in nature and mentions those other important safety features
that are peculiar to gas carrier operation.

10 The layout of the Code is in line with the International Code for the Construction and Equip-
ment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code) adopted by the Maritime Safety
Committee at its forty-eighth session.