INTERNATIONAL

MARITIME SOLID BULK

CARGOES

(IMSBC) Code
 IMBSC CODE
- The IMSBC Code was adopted on 4 December 2008,
by resolution MSC.268(85), and entered into force on
1 January 2011, from which date it was made
mandatory under the provisions of the SOLAS
Convention
- International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC)
Code, replaces the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk
Cargoes (BC Code)
- IMBSC Code is supplemented by BLU Code(Code of
practice for the safe loading and Unloading of Bulk
Carriers)
- Latest edition is IMSBC Code 2018 edition
IMSBC CODE

- SOLAS Ch. VI part B (Special provisions for bulk cargoes

other than grain)
- SOLAS Ch. VII Part A-1 (Carriage of dangerous in solid bulk
form)

- to facilitate the safe 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.
IMSBC CODE
Section 1   General provisions
Section 2   General loading, carriage and unloading precautions
Section 3   Safety of personnel and ship
Section 4   Assessment of acceptability of consignments for safe shipment
Section 5   Trimming procedures
Section 6   Methods of determining the angle of repose
Section 7   Cargoes that may liquefy
Section 8  Test procedures for cargoes that may liquefy
Section 9   Materials possessing chemical hazards
Section 10  Carriage of solid wastes in bulk
Section 11   Security provisions
Section 12   Stowage factor conversion tables
Section 13   References to related information and recommendations
Appendix 1   Individual schedules of solid bulk cargoes
Appendix 2   Laboratory test procedures, associated apparatus and standards
Appendix 3   Properties of solid bulk cargoes
Appendix 4   Index
Bulk Solid Cargoes
Classification
Group A: cargoes which may liquefy, if shipped at a moisture
content in excess of their transportable moisture limit.

Group B: cargoes which possess a chemical hazard which could

give rise to a dangerous situation on a ship.

Group C: cargoes which are neither liable to liquefy (Group A)

nor to possess chemical hazards (Group B).
GROUP A - cargoes which may liquefy, if shipped at a
moisture content in excess of their transportable
moisture limit.
Group B: cargoes which possess a chemical hazard which
could give rise to a dangerous situation on a ship.
Group C: cargoes which are neither liable to liquefy
(Group A) nor to possess chemical hazards (Group B)
IMSBC Code Sec 4.2
Provision of Information
4.2.1 The shipper shall provide the master or his representative with
appropriate information on the cargo sufficiently in advance of loading to
enable the precautions which may be necessary for proper stowage and
safe carriage of the cargo to be put into effect.

4.2.2 Cargo information shall be confirmed in writing and by appropriate

shipping documents prior to loading. The cargo information shall include:

1. the BCSN when the cargo is listed in this Code. Secondary names may
2. be used in addition to the BCSN;
2. the cargo group (A and B, A, B or C);
3. the IMO Class of the cargo, if applicable;
4. the UN number preceded by letters UN for the cargo, if applicable;
5. the total quantity of the cargo offered;
6. the stowage factor;
7. the need for trimming and the trimming procedures, as necessary;
8. the likelihood of shifting, including angle of repose, if applicable;
9. additional information in the form of a certificate on the moisture
content of the cargo and its transportable moisture limit in the case of a
concentrate or other cargo which may liquefy;
10. likelihood of formation of a wet base (see subsection 7.2.3 of this Code);
11. toxic or flammable gases which may be generated by cargo, if
applicable;
12. flammability, toxicity, corrosiveness and propensity to oxygen depletion
of the cargo, if applicable;
13. self-heating properties of the cargo, and the need for trimming, if
applicable;
14. properties on emission of flammable gases in contact with water, if
applicable;
15. radioactive properties, if applicable; and
16. any other information required by national authorities.

4.2.3 Information provided by the shipper shall be accompanied by a

declaration. An example of a cargo declaration form is set out in the next
page. Another form may be used for cargo declaration. As an aid to paper
documentation, Electronic Data Processing (EDP) or Electronic Data
Interchange (EDI) techniques may be used.
TEST PROCEDURES TO CHECK
IF CARGO MAY LIQUIFY
In laboratory
Three methods of testing for the transportable moisture limit
are currently in general use:
- flow table test;
- penetration test;
- Proctor/Fagerberg test (modified for Iron Ore fines & Coal)

Onboard Ship
- Can Test (Can Banging test)
MATERIALS POSSESSING
CHEMICAL HAZARD (GROUP B)
- Solid bulk cargoes which may possess a chemical hazard
during transport, because of their chemical nature or
properties, are in Group B. Some of these materials are
classified as dangerous goods and others are materials
hazardous only in bulk (MHB).

- It is essential to obtain current, valid information about the

physical and chemical properties of the cargoes to be shipped
in bulk, prior to loading.
 Hazard classification
Class 4.1: Flammable solids - The materials in this class are
readily combustible solids and solids which may cause fire
through friction.
Class 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
The materials in this class are materials, other than pyrophoric
materials, which, in contact with air without energy supply,
are liable to self-heating.
Class 4.3: Substances which, in contact with water, emit
flammable gases
The materials in this class are solids which, by interaction with
water, are liable to become spontaneously flammable or to
give off flammable gases in dangerous quantities.
Class 5.1: Oxidizing substances
The materials in this class are materials while in themselves
not necessarily combustible, may, generally by yielding oxygen,
cause, or contribute to, the combustion of other material.
Class 6.1: Toxic substances
The materials in this class are materials liable either to cause
death or serious injury or to harm human health if swallowed
or inhaled, or by skin contact.
Class 7: Radioactive material
The materials in this class are any materials containing
radionuclides where both the activity concentration and the
total activity in the consignment exceed the values specified in
2.7.7.2.1 to 2.7.7.2.6 of the IMDG Code.
 Class 8: Corrosive substances
The materials in this class are materials which, by chemical
action, will cause severe damage when in contact with living
tissue or will materially damage, or even destroy, other goods
or the means of transport.
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles
The materials in this class are materials and articles which,
during transport, present a danger not covered by other
classes.
Materials hazardous only in bulk (MHB)
These are materials which may possess chemical hazards when
transported in bulk other than materials classified as dangerous
goods in the IMDG Code.

Carriage of solid wastes in bulk

- The transboundary movement of wastes represents a threat
to human health and to the environment.
- Wastes shall be carried in accordance with the relevant
international recommendations and conventions and in
particular, where it concerns transport in bulk by sea, with the
provisions of this Code.
Transboundary movements under the Basel
Convention
Transboundary movement of wastes shall be permitted to
commence only when:

- notification has been sent by the competent authority of the

country of origin, or by the generator or exporter through the
channel of the competent authority of the country of origin, to
the country of final destination; and

- the competent authority of the country of origin, having

received the written consent of the country of final destination
stating that the wastes will be safely incinerated or treated by
other methods of disposal, has given authorization for the
movement.