Amendments to the IGC/GC Codes will become effective on 1 July 2002. Please find attached the amendments adopted by the IMO for your reference. The amendments apply to new gas carriers, but certain requirements also apply to existing gas carriers (I.e. the keels of which were laid before 1 July 2002). The outline of the requirements applicable to existing gas carriers is as follows:

a) Ship's cargo hoses/IGC Code 5.7.3, GC Code 5.4.3
For cargo hoses installed on board ships on or after 1 July 2002, prototype tests such as the pressure test under the provision of the amendments are required.

B) Pressure relief systems/IGC Code 8.2.7
In addition to the changing of the setting pressure, also the corresponding resetting of the high pressure alarms, carried out under the supervision of the master in accordance with the procedures approved by the administration and specified in the ship's operation manual, is required.

Concerning this amendment, a standard for the additional item that should be included in onboard operations manuals is shown in attachment 2. Please attach this attachment to the onboard operations manual, write this sentence into the onboard operations manual, or draw up a revised operations manual in which sentences of the same meaning are included.

C) Inert gas production on board/IGC Code 9.5.3
When the inert gas system is not in use, separation between the inert gas system and the cargo system in the cargo area (except for connections to the hold spaces or interbarrier spaces) is required.
Examples of separation of the IGG system on existing gas carriers are shown in the Attachment 3.

Concerning the detailed requirements of these amendments, please refer to Attachment 1.

According to the above requirements of b), c) that enter into force on 1 July 2002, it is necessary to reset the setting point of the high pressure alarms and to separate the IGG system from the cargo systems in the cargo area except for connections to the hold spaces or interbarrier space when the IGG system is not in use. (If the installation of the spool pieces is difficult by the above date, the installation of blank flanges after removing the stop valve is acceptable as a temporary measure)

(To be continued)

At the time of the next periodical survey held after 1 July 2002, the Society will check compliance with the requirements as set out in b) and c) above. Even before 1 July 2002, the Society will carry out surveys for compliance at the request of shipowners.


Correction and re-issuance of the "CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS FOR CARRIEAGE OF LIQUIFIED GASES IN BULK (COF)" subject to IGC/GC Codes.

As it is stated in the COF which amendments are complied with, correction of each certificate is necessary as follows:

Certificate Before correction After correction
COF(IGC) MSC32(63) and MSC 59(67) MSC 103(73)
COF(GC) (Including First to Fourth sets of Amendments) and MSC 34(63) and MSC 60(67) (Including First to Fourth sets of Amendments) and MSC 107(73)

The procedure for correction and/or re-issuance of the COF is as follows:

1) In cases where an existing gas carrier needs to comply with the requirements as set out in b) and c) above.
At the time of periodical survey, the Society will check compliance with the requirements as set out in b) and c) above. At the time of the periodical survey (excluding special surveys), the attending surveyor will make these corrections to the certificate after checking compliance