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Last update: 2026/06/02
Revised Unified Interpretation of inspection and maintenance of means of access specified in MSC.1/Circ.1572/Rev.2.
At the 108th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC108), amendment to IMO circular containing a unified interpretation of SOLAS II-1/3-6 and its technical regulations MSC.158(78) on the means of access required for oil tankers of 500 gross tonnage and bulk carriers, as defined of SOLAS IX/1, of 20,000 gross tonnage and over on vessels the keels of which are laid on or after 1 January 2005 was adopted as MSC.1/Circ.1572/Rev.2 and the provisions related to the interval for the inspection of the means of access and records were revised. Therefore, shipowners and ship management companies are required to take necessary actions accordingly referring to the following information until the application date of new provisions. 1. Application The Unified ITransport of Containers in Bulk Carriers
With the extraordinarily tight market on shipping containers, there is a rapid demand in exploring container transportation by vessels not designed for container carriage, particularly by bulk carriers. To carry container in cargo holds and/or on upper decks and hatch covers of bulk carriers, there are many challenges to be considered, planned and prepared by ship owners, managers and operators, such as strength of hull structures, ship stability, bridge visibility with containers on deck, container securing arrangements and equipment, on-board documents to be prepared, revised and approved, etc. ClassNK now release a technical guidance as attached which summarizes the above issues, and we hope the guidance would be useful to the safe carriage of contaShip Construction File（SCF）for ships to which GBS requirements are applicable
Oil tankers of 150m in length and above and bulk carriers of 150m in length and above categorized as any of below 1) to 3) to which SOLAS Chapter II-1 Reg.3-10 "Goal-based ship construction standards for bulk carriers and oil tanker" applies shall be provided with Ship Construction File（GBS-SCF） on board the ship and/or ashore and it shall be updated as appropriate throughout the ship's service. 1) for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 July 2016; 2) in the absence of a building contract, the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 July 2017; or 3) the delivery of which is on or after 1 July 2020. As the new GBS-SCF requires the inclusion of highly-sensitive intellectual property informatioChange of ships which are categorized as "Bulk carrier" on Safety Construction (SC) Certificate(s) and Safety Equipment (SE) Certificate(s) because of the clarification of term "Bulk carrier"
The ships which are categorized as “Bulk carrier” in SOLAS have already been provided in ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0808 of 1st April 2010. ClassNK has confirmed that Cayman flagged ships are required to apply the IMO resolution MSC.277(85) regarding the definition of "Bulk carrier" in SOLAS. Cayman flagged ships constructed on or after 1 July 2006 and have a notation of "BC-XII" affixed to the Classification Characters, the description of "Type of Ship" on the Safety Construction (SC) Certificate(s) and Safety Equipment (SE) Certificate(s) are to be categorized as "Bulk carrier". The said ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0808 is thus revoked, accordingly. In addition, the other instructions mentioned in ClassNK Technical InformatioApplication of the Resolution MSC.277(85) relating to clarification of the term "Bulk Carrier" for Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Gibraltar flagged ships
Clarification of the definition of "Bulk carrier" in SOLAS has been adopted at IMO as the non-mandatory IMO resolution MSC.277(85). ClassNK has confirmed that Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Gibraltar flagged ships are required to apply the resolution. Regarding the resolution MSC.277(85), please refer to the attachment of ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-1012 which was issued on 14 November 2014. For any questions about the above, please contact: [Matters on the handling Certificates] NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK) Classification Department, Information Center, Head Office Address: 1-8-5 Ohnodai, Midori-ku, Chiba 267-0056, Japan Tel.: +81-43-294-5784 Fax: +81-43-294-5449 E-mail: cld@classnk.or.jp [Matters concernedApplication of the Resolution MSC.277(85) relating to clarification of the term "Bulk Carrier", and the instruction from the Isle of Man Government on this matter
1. General Clarification of the definition of "Bulk carrier" in SOLAS has been adopted at IMO as the non-mandatory IMO resolution MSC.277(85). ClassNK has received an instruction from the Isle of Man Administration on the application of the resolution. 2. Application (1) Ships the keels of which are laid prior to 1 January 2009: The resolution MSC.277(85) is not applied. (2) Ships the keels of which are laid on or after 1 January 2009 but before 1 November 2014: In case where the Administration accepts, the resolution MSC.277(85) is not applied. An acceptance letter* issued by the Administration is to be kept on-board. * ClassNK conducts an application for issuance of acceptance letter to the Administration. (3) Ships the keels of which are laid oApplication of the Resolution MSC.277(85) relating to clarification of the term "Bulk Carrier", and the instruction from the Bahamas Government on this matter
ClassNK has received an instruction from the Bahamas Government on the application of the resolution stating "MSC.277(85) is subject to Bahamas Government on case by case basis". In this connection, please be informed that the Bahamas Government's dealing on TEC-0765 which was issued on 3 February 2009 was deleted. For any questions about the above, please contact: NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK) External Affairs Division, Administration Center, Head Office Address: 4-7 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan Tel.: +81-3-5226-2038 Fax: +81-3-5226-2024 E-mail: xad@classnk.or.jpChange of the definition of "Bulk Carrier" on SC / SE / SF Certificates (for the vessels which keel was laid on or after 1st July 2006)
Marshall Islands Administration had changed the definition of "Bulk Carrier" on SC / SE / SF Certificates (for the vessels which keel was laid on or after 1st July 2006) from Regulation 1.6 of Chapter IX to Regulation 1.1of Chapter XII. As a result of the above, "Marshall Islands" have been deleted from Item 2. (2) of No.TEC-0808 (dated on 1 April 2010). "Type of ship" described in Ship Safety Construction Certificate and Ship Safety Equipment Certificate for the captioned existing vessels has been rewritten at Head Office (CLD) in accordance with the instruction of Marshall Island Administration. For any questions about the above, please contact: [Matters on the handling SC and SE certificate or statement] NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK) ClassifSteel coil loading program of existing dry cargo ships to which Common Structural Rules is applied
With regard to information given in ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0798 dated 7 January 2010, a calculation program to evaluate steel coil loading methods, which are not summarized in the onboard Loading Manual, is available from ClassNK's website. Up to now, this calculation program could evaluate steel coil loading methods for the vessels to which Common Structural Rules (hereinafter referred to as the "CSR") is NOT applied. This time the program has been improved to evaluate steel coil loading methods for the vessels to which CSR is applied. The above improved program named "PrimeShip_SteelCoilLoading_Program_ver2.00.xls" is available from ClassNK's website. (http://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/en/download/dl_soft.aspx) For any questions aboutCarriage of cargoes which may liquefy
Recently, the serious accidents have been reported that some ships carrying Iron Ore Fines or Nickel Ore have capsized primarily because of liquefaction of their cargoes. In order to avoid such accidents, the IMSBC Code is now applicable to all ships as mandatory requirements since 1 January 2011. The cargoes which may liquefy are categorized as Group A. When the moisture content of such cargoes is exceeding its transportable moisture limit (TML), loading shall not be allowed. The cargoes not listed in the IMSBC Code, such as Iron Ore Fines or Nickel Ore, will be provisionally risk-assessed by the authority of the port of loading. If the authority assesses cargo at risk of liquefaction, loading limitation as Group A shall be imposed. The Indian AdministraThis Technical Information became null and void on 7 Dec 2015.
Change of ships which are categorized as "Bulk carrier" on Safety Construction Certificate (SC) and Safety Equipment Certificate (SE) because of the clarification of term "Bulk carrier".
1. General Clarification of the definition of "Bulk carrier" in SOLAS has been adopted at IMO resolution MSC.277(85), but this resolution is not mandatory one. Therefore, ClassNK made a judgment that a ship categorized as "Bulk carrier" on SOLAS certificates is to be changed according to the mandatory resolution MSC.170(79) which clarifies the definition of "Bulk carrier". A ship which should be categorized as "Bulk carrier" on the SE and SC certificates would be changed from A) to B) as below. A) a ship which is constructed generally with single deck, Top-side tanks and hopper side tanks in cargo spaces, and is intended primarily to carry dry cargo in bulk, and includes such types as ore carriers and combination carriers. - Reg.1.6/IX B) a ship which isCyprus flag ships carrying Solid Bulk Cargoes other than Grain
The Cyprus Government informed us that all Cyprus flag ships carrying Solid Bulk Cargoes other than Grain should be provided with a relevant Statement of Compliance with the IMSBC Code. Accordingly, for Cyprus flag ships carrying Solid Bulk Cargoes other than Grain on or after 1 July 2009, please submit an application for the IMSBC Code fitness certification in advance. As to the guidance for the IMSBC Code fitness certification, please refer to ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0772. For any questions about the above, please contact: NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK) Material & Equipment Department, Administration Center, Head Office Address: 4-7, Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan Tel.: +81-3-5226-2020 Fax: +81-3-5226-2057 E-mail:Application of the Resolution MSC.277(85) relating to clarification of the term "Bulk Carrier" etc., and the instruction from the Bahamas Government on this
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 loadAdoption of IACS CSR/BC RCP3
IACS CSR/BC RCP3 (Rule Change Proposal 3) has been adopted by IACS Council on 12 September 2008 as shown in the attached document which has been disclosed at IACS website. For any questions about the above, please contact: 1. General NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK) External Affairs Division, Administration Center, Head Office Address: 4-7 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan Tel.: +81-3-5226-2038 Fax: +81-3-5226-2024 E-mail: xad@classnk.or.jp 2. Handling of RCP3 Hull Department, Administration Center, Head Office Address: 4-7 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan Tel.: +81-3-5226-2018 Fax: +81-3-5226-2019 E-mail: hld@classnk.or.jp 3. Contents and applicable software of RCP3 Development Department, Research Center, HeaSurvey Preparations for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers based on amended IMO Resolution A.744 (18). (Part 2)
As informed previously by ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0665 dated 5 July 2006, for the Special Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers and for the Intermediate Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers over 10 years of age which are applied on and after 1 January 2007, the SURVEY PROGRAMME using a new form is to be submitted. In addition, applicants are to submit also the SURVEY PLANNING QUESTIONNAIRE in advance of preparation of this new SURVEY PROGRAMME. As ClassNK newly prepared the form of SURVEY PLANNING QUESTIONNAIRE and revised the form of SURVEY PROGRAMME, please be kind enough to submit them to the service site in charge prior to the surveys, for which the application is submitted on and after 1 January 2007, referring to the attached sampSurvey Preparations for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers based on IMO Resolution A.744(18), as amended.
As you are aware, the amendments to "Guidelines on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, Res. A744(18)" were adopted at the eightieth session of the Marine Safety Committee (MSC 80). On and after 1 January 2007 with the enforcement of the amendments, applicants are to submit a SURVEY PROGRAMME using a new form as part of preparations for the Special Surveys for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers and for the Intermediate Surveys for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers over 10 years of age. In addition, applicants are to submit the SURVEY PLANNING QUESTIONNAIRE in advance of the preparation of the SURVEY PROGRAMME. For your reference, the new forms for SURVEY PROGRAMME and SURVEY PLANNING QUESTIONNAIRE, which are incTriangular mark regarding the restrictions from sailing with any cargo hold empty for Bulk Carriers (Revised SOLAS, Chapter XII / Reg. 8 and 14)
According to the SOLAS regulation XII/14, bulk carriers of 150m in freeboard length(Lf) and upward of single-side skin construction, carrying cargoes having a density of 1.78t/m3 and above, if not meeting the requirements for withstanding flooding of any one cargo hold as specified in regulation 5.1Note1 and side structures in single side skin bulk carriers as specified in IACS UR S12 (Rev. 2.1) or UR S31Note2, shall not sail with any hold loaded to less than 10% of the hold's maximum allowable cargo weight when in the full load condition (corresponding to a load equal to or greater than 90% of the ship's deadweight at the relevant assigned freeboard) after 1 July 2006 or the date on which the ship reaches 10 years of age, whichever occurs later. As alreadyRestrictions on sailing with any cargo hold empty for Bulk Carriers according to the Revised SOLAS, Chapter XII/Reg. 14 which comes into effect on 1 July 2006 and deletion of the concerned Class Notations (partial) or Descriptive Notes for Classification Character
In relation to the Technical Information No.TEC-0632 dated 27 June 2005, the revised SOLAS, Chapter XII/Reg. 14, instructed the restrictions on sailing with any cargo holds empty for Bulk Carriers of 150m in freeboard length (Lf) and upward of single-side skin construction, carrying cargoes having a density of 1.78t/m3 and above, and the Regulation comes into effect on the 1 July 2006. In view of the situation, we would like to call your best attention that the concerned Class Notations (partial) or Descriptive Notes for Classification Character shown below (underlined part) are to be deleted just on the specified dates viz. a) 1 July 2006 applicable for ships falling under 10 years of age or more as of 1 July 2006 b) The date on which the ship reaches 10Restrictions on sailing with any cargo hold empty for Bulk Carriers (Revised SOLAS, Chapter XII / Reg. 14)
As previously advised in ClassNK Technical Information, No. TEC-0622 issued on 11 March 2005, the revised SOLAS Chapter XII, which specifies additional safety measures for bulk carriers, was adopted at the seventy ninth session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC79) held in December 2004 and will be come into effect on 1 July 2006. According to regulation 14, bulk carriers of 150m in freeboard length (Lf) and upward of single-side skin construction, carrying cargoes having a density of 1.78t/? and above, if not meeting the requirements for withstanding flooding of any one cargo hold as specified in regulation 5.1 and side structures in single side skin bulk carriers as specified in IACS UR S12 (Rev. 2.1) or UR S31, shall not sail with any cargo hold loaBulk Carrier Safety: Water Level Detection & Alarm System and Dewatering Arrangements for dry spaces and ballast tanks.
Existing bulk carriers are to comply with the requirements of SOLAS regulation XII/12 for Water Level Detection & Alarm System by the first periodical survey (Annual Survey / Intermediate Survey / Special Survey) after 1 July 2004, as previously informed by ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0537 and No. TEC-0538. Also, existing bulk carriers are to comply with the requirements of SOLAS regulation XII/13 for Dewatering Arrangement for dry spaces and ballast tanks by the first Intermediate or Special Survey after 1 July 2004, but in no case later than 1 July 2007, as previously informed by ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0538. You are kindly requested to arrange necessary preparations to comply with these requirements by the specified due date.Amendment of IACS Unified Requirements for surveys for Bulk Carrier UR Z10.2 (rev.15)
As previously advised in ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0538, the requirements of renewal criteria for side shell frames (IACS UR-S31) as a part of the Bulk Carrier Safety initiative come into force on 1 January 2004. The UR has now been incorporated to the ClassNK Rules. In order to unify the methodology of thickness gauging which is necessary to evaluate hold frames' strength in line with UR-S31, amongst IACS members, Guidelines for thickness gauging have been prepared and UR Z10.2 (rev.15) including the Guidelines was adopted at the IACS Council meeting held in December 2003. The UR Z10.2 (rev.15) also comes into force on 1 January 2004, and is applicable to confirmation surveys related to UR-S31 from 1 January 2004. For an outline of theEnhanced Survey of Indian flagged Oil tankers and Bulk Carriers
As the companies managing Indian flagged ships know well, the Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India has circulated M.S. NOTICE No. 19 of 2003 by No. SS/PSC/MISC/6/03. It has been instructed in the paragraph 8 as follows. 8. Further, it is observed that the ships are put up for dry-docking survey without prior preparations, which result in their coming out of the dry dock without undertaking proper and necessary repairs. It is noted in several cases that the dry docking of the ship is carried out without completion of activities such as thickness determination and relevant structural examinations necessary to identify repairs that cannot be carried out afloat, which is an unacceptable practice. It is therefore essenBulk Carrier Safety (Updated version of ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0507)
In IMO Maritime Safety Committee at its 77th session (MSC77) and IACS at its 47th Council meeting (C47) held in June 2003, the issues of bulk carrier safety have been discussed and some of them were concluded. This ClassNK Technical Information is the updated version of ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0507 "Bulk Carrier Safety" including the outcomes of MSC77 and C47. Shade in tables of the attachments shows the revised or newly added items to ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0507. Please see the reference TEC-No. in the attached tables if detail information is needed. For any questions about the these matters, please contact: Department in charge: On surveys for existing ships and ships under construction Survey DepartmentTelImplementation Date of UR S25 (Rev.1)
IACS at its 47th Council meeting on 10-12 June 2003 discussed and decided on the uniform implementation of UR S25 (Rev.1) to bulk carriers contracted for construction on or after 1 July 2003. ClassNK also agreed in principle to implement UR S25 (Rev.1) together with the relevant revisions of Urs S11 and S17 from 1 July 2003. However due to administrative procedures for changing Classification Rules ClassNK will only be able to implement them on or after 1 January 2004 as a mandatory requirement under ClassNK's Rules. In the mean time, however, ClassNK recommend shipowners and shipbuilders to stipulate compliance with the requirements for bulk carriers in their contract for construction from 1 July 2003 until ClassNK implements the relevant rules as manEight measures taken by IACS for improving Bulk carrier safety
On 15 March 2002, IACS (International Association of Classification Society) launched the following measures in order to improve safety bulk carriers. This society, as a member of IACS, will take actions to implement measure, however, with regard to the measure 3 given below, this society placed reservations as it is technically premature to implement the measure at moment. The IACS Urs (Unified Requirements) mentioned in measure 1, 2 and 3 below can be found on IACS Web-Site (http://www.iacs.org.uk/) as "Bulk carrier measures, March 2002" under the section titled "Technical" for your reference. (Measures for immediate effects) 1. Earlier implementation of SOLAS Chapter XII requirements. (For existing bulk carriers of 150m in length and over) ThThis Technical Information became null and void on 17 Nov 2016.