Carrying solid bulk cargoes safely
Carrying solid bulk cargoes involves serious risks, which must be managed carefully to safeguard the crew and the ship. These risks include reduced ship stability, and even capsizing, due to cargo liquefaction; fire or explosion due to chemical hazards; and damage to ship structures due to poor loading procedures.
The main legislation governing safe carriage of solid bulk cargoes is the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, which became mandatory on 1 January 2011, under the SOLAS Convention.
Recent new requirements
IMO Resolution MSC.539(107) introduced amendments (07-23) to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The amendments become mandatory on 1 January 2025 and can be implemented voluntarily from 1 January 2024. See Class News 01/2024 for further guidance.
IMO Resolution MSC.500(105) introduced amendments (06-21) to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The amendments become mandatory on 1 December 2023 and can be implemented voluntarily from 1 January 2023. See Class News 01/2023 for further guidance.
IMO Resolution MSC.462(101) introduced amendments (05-19) to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The amendments became mandatory on 1 January, 2021. See Class News 21/2019 for further guidance.
IMO Resolution MSC.426(98) introduced amendments (04-17) to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The amendments became mandatory on 1 January, 2019. See Class News No.41/2017 for further guidance.
IMO Resolution MSC.393(95) introduced amendments (03-15) to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The amendments became mandatory on 1 January, 2017. See Class News No.02/2016 for further guidance.
Pocket guide
Our pocket guide will help you understand the IMSBC Code's key requirements and give you greater confidence in managing the risks of carrying solid bulk cargoes and achieving compliance with SOLAS.
It also contains a quick reference checklist and flowchart summarising the steps you need to follow. A PDF of the guide can be downloaded below.
This pocket guide is now also available in Chinese, a PDF of the Chinese edition can be downloaded below.
