by
MET Staff | Tuesday, February 25, 2014 |
Bulk carriers
are a vital component of the global transportation and trade industries. The
International Maritime Organization (IMO) estimates there are more than 5,000
bulk carriers operating throughout the world. The IMO has instituted and
oversees a number of rules and regulations to ensure safe operation of these
large vessels.
The Definition of a Bulk
Carrier
The
definition of a bulk carrier varies among IMO and International Association of
Classification Societies publications. For instance, the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Seas (SOLAS) offers a rather broad
definition of bulk carrier, whereas the Common Structural Rules (CSR) presents a
narrower classification.
The SOLAS
definition can be found in Chapter XII, which states a bulk carrier is: “a ship
which is intended primarily to carry dry cargo in bulk, including such types as
ore carriers and combination carriers.”
The CSR
defines them as: “seagoing self-propelled ships which are generally constructed
with single deck, double bottom, hopper side tanks and topside tanks and with
single or double side skin construction in the cargo length area, and intended
primarily to carry dry cargoes in bulk.”
Below is an
overview of pertinent bulk carrier regulations and requirements.
IMO Regulations for
Ensuring Bulk Carrier Safety
The IMO has
established rules to address such key
safety concerns as:
- water pollution prevention;
- cargo shift during
transportation
(leading to problems of instability and danger to life and property); and
- safety and security
of those onboard.
The IMO has
instituted a number of codes and conventions to address these factors. Crucial codes include:
- International Maritime
Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code – The IMSBC Code was adopted in 2008 by the IMO’s
Maritime Safety Committee. The mandatory code is intended to address safe
stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargo. It does so by outlining
industry-specific hazards related to specific types of cargo. It also
includes information on the most appropriate procedure for handling such
cargo.
- International Code
of Safe Practices for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code) – The BC Code was established in
1965 as a recommendatory measure, with a revised code put into place in
2004. The BC Code served a similar purpose to the IMSBC Code by defining
key safety concerns with the operation of bulk carriers in international
waters and during loading and unloading. The mandatory IMSBC replaces the
BC Code.
- Code of Practice
for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code) – Details best practices for the
safe handling, loading and unloading of bulk cargo.
- SOLAS Chapter XII
(Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers) – New text for SOLAS Chapter XII
was adopted in 2004 and went into effect in July 2006 as part of a
response to the loss of several bulk carriers in the 1990s. Key aspects of
these new requirements were those relating to double-side skin bulk
carriers. The chapter also addresses requirements for the construction of
new bulk carriers and minimum standards for existing bulk carriers.
- Regulations for
lifeboats – In
December 2004, the MSC ruled all bulk carriers must include free-fall
lifeboats.
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