The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code 2023 Edition
The IMSBC Code, 2023 Edition, with amendments 07-23, is now in effect, becoming mandatory on January 1, 2025. It adds 12 new cargo schedules, including for Baryte and Brown Fused Alumina. The updates also require shippers to provide bulk density on cargo declarations, revise the Fish Meal schedule, and update several key circulars concerning safety guidelines and test procedures.
The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code 2022 Edition
The IMSBC Code, 2022 Edition, with amendments 06-21, is now in effect. It updates existing cargo schedules and adds 10 new ones, including for Bauxite Fines and Ferronickel Slag. The new edition also introduces a new test for bauxite and revises guidance on fire-extinguishing systems and fumigation, all to improve safety in solid bulk cargo transport.
AMSA - Recent exemption and approval updates for the handling, transport and categorisation of certain cargoes from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
AMSA has updated its exemptions for testing solid bulk cargoes. The new Exemption 6343 allows shippers to use a revised corrosivity test method for all solid bulk cargoes, replacing all previous exemptions. Additionally, Approval 8024 now permits coal to be classified as a Materials Hazardous only in Bulk (MHB) with self-heating properties, provided extra safety measures are taken. Both updates are designed to improve safety while a new international standard is being finalised.
The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code 2020 Edition
The IMSBC Code, 2020 Edition, with amendments 05-19, is now in effect. The new edition updates existing cargo schedules and adds 10 new ones, including schedules for Bauxite Fines and Flue Dust. It also introduces a new test for bauxite, updates fire-extinguishing system exemptions, and revises fumigation guidelines, all aimed at improving the safety of solid bulk cargo transport.
AMSA New exemptions relating to corrosive properties of solid bulk cargoes
AMSA has issued temporary exemptions EX5717 and EX5718 to address issues with the standard C.1 test for assessing the corrosive properties of solid bulk cargoes. These exemptions, valid until June 30, 2019, allow for alternative and modified testing methods while a new, refined test is being finalized by the IMO. Specifically, EX5717 allows a modified test for mineral concentrates, and EX5718 permits the use of the DIN 50929-3 standard for iron ore, coal, and bauxite.
Moisture Management Plan for Group A cargoes
The IMSBC Code is a key international rule for shipping solid bulk cargoes. It focuses on the risk of liquefaction in certain cargoes, known as Group A, which can happen if their moisture content is too high. Shippers must have a Moisture Management Plan to prove their cargo is safe, and this plan needs approval from the port's Competent Authority. Recent amendments to the Code, including for coal and ilmenite sand, highlight the ongoing importance of this compliance.
New MARPOL amendments 2018
New MARPOL Annex V amendments, effective March 1, 2018, have changed the rules for managing ship garbage. Shippers must now declare if cargo residues are Harmful to the Marine Environment (HME), based on specific criteria from the UN GHS. The Garbage Record Book has also been updated with a new section for ships carrying solid bulk cargoes, and a new category for e-waste has been included to ensure proper disposal. These changes are designed to improve environmental protection in maritime transport.
The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code 2018 Edition
The 2018 edition of the IMSBC Code, effective January 1, 2019, brings crucial updates for shipping solid bulk cargoes. The amendments (04-17) introduce 13 new cargo schedules, including for Foam Glass Gravel and Sugarcane Biomass Pellets.
Key changes also include:
Clarified responsibilities for determining the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML).
Mandatory declaration by shippers if a cargo is Harmful to the Marine Environment (HME).
A new test procedure for determining the TML of coal.
These updates ensure safer, more environmentally compliant shipping practices for a wider range of solid bulk cargoes.
Hazard assessment of mining materials for transport
Is your cargo safe for transport? We help mining companies properly classify hazardous materials like coal, iron ore, and other by-products. Our streamlined three-step process—consultation, lab coordination, and comprehensive reporting—ensures you meet global transport regulations, keeping your operations safe and compliant.
MARPOL Annex V – Management of residues of Solid Bulk Cargoes
The MARPOL Annex V convention is a key international agreement for preventing marine pollution from ships. It requires that residues of solid bulk cargoes be managed based on whether they are classified as Harmful to the Marine Environment (HME) or non-HME.
A cargo is considered HME if it meets any of the seven criteria from the UN GHS, which relate to a substance's potential for aquatic toxicity, carcinogenicity, or other long-term environmental and health risks. This classification is crucial, as HME residues must be disposed of at a port facility, while non-HME residues can be discharged at sea under specific conditions. To ensure compliance, the IMSBC Code now specifically requires shippers to declare if a cargo is HME, making proper classification more important than ever for environmental safety.
AMSA Exemptions relating to corrosive properties of solid bulk cargoes
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has recently issued two exemptions that change how the corrosive properties of certain solid bulk cargoes are assessed. These exemptions provide more flexibility and targeted testing methods for shippers.
AMSA Exemption relating to an alternative test for assessment of localised corrosion of iron ore and iron ore fines.
The most recent edition of the IMSBC Code has introduced a notable exemption regarding the hazard assessment of iron ore and iron ore fines. Traditionally, these materials were subject to a specific test to determine their potential for localized corrosion, a key factor in their classification.
Now, an alternative test is permitted for this assessment. This change provides shippers with more flexibility and potentially a more efficient way to comply with safety and environmental standards. This exemption is part of a larger, continuous effort to update regulations like MARPOL Annex V and the IMSBC Code to reflect new scientific understanding and technological capabilities, ensuring safety while streamlining the classification process for solid bulk cargoes.
The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code 2016 Edition - What’s new with MHB classification and how it affects you.
The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code is regularly updated to ensure the safe shipment of solid bulk cargoes. The latest amendments (03-15) introduce significant changes to the classification of Materials Hazardous only in Bulk (MHB).
These updates require that if a cargo meets any of the chemical hazard criteria for an MHB, a specific notational reference must now be included in the individual schedule. For example, a combustible solid will now be marked with 'CB', while a corrosive solid will be marked with 'CR'. This new requirement, effective from January 1, 2017, provides clearer, more concise information on the hazards associated with a cargo, improving safety for all involved in the shipping process.
