At IMO MSC85 held on 26 November 2008 to 5 December 2008, the Resolution MSC.277(85) “Clarification of the term “Bulk Carrier” and guidance for application of regulations in SOLAS to ships which occasionally carry dry cargoes in bulk and are not determined as bulk carriers in accordance with regulation XII/1.1 and chapter II-1” has been adopted. (Please refer to the attachment.)

The main points of the Resolution are as follows.

1. Ship intending primarily to carry dry cargo in bulk are considered to be bulk carriers regardless of the ship’s transverse section figures. (refer to the item 1.3 in the attachment)
2. Dedicated ships carrying such specific cargoes as woodchips, cement, etc. are not considered to be bulk carriers subject to the means of loading/unloading. (refer to the item 1.5 in the attachment)
3. Provisions have been made to permit ships other than bulk carriers to occasionally carry dry cargoes in bulk. (refer to the item 1.6 and 1.7 in the attachment)
4. Ships falling under the above 2) or 3) are to possess a statement attesting to the application of the relevant provisions. (refer to the item 1.10 in the attachment)
5. The provision of the above 2) is applied to ships the keels of which are laid on or after 1 January 2009. (refer to the item 1.1 in the attachment)
6. The provisions of the above 1) and 3) are applied to ships the keels of which are laid on or after 1 July 2010. (refer to the item 1.2 in the attachment)

As this resolution is non-mandatory one and whether the resolution should be applied or not depends on a decision made by the flag administrations.

Upon receiving an instruction on the application of the resolution from governments, ClassNK will issue a Technical Information continually.

(To be continued)