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 on or after 1 November 2014：
The resolution MSC.277(85) is applied.

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.

In addition, the UK and other Red Ensign Group (Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Gibraltar) intend to apply the resolution. ClassNK will notify the relevant information by a ClassNK Technical Information on receipt by an official instruction of the Administration.

(To be continued)