2000 Amendments to the IBC/BCH Code will become effective on 1 July 2002. These amendments apply to new chemical tankers as well as existing chemical tankers. The amendments are as follows:


1) Cargo Hoses (IBC Code 5.7/BCH Code Chapter II 2.12.4)
The requirement for prototype testing of cargo hoses newly installed on board ships has been added.

2) Tank Venting System(IBC Code 8.3/BCH Code Chapter II 2.14)
For when the controlled tank venting systems fail, secondary means for preventing over/under pressure in the cargo tank should be provided. Alternatively, pressure sensors may be provided in each cargo tank. For existing chemical tankers, the compliance should be completed by the date of the first scheduled dry docking after 1 July 2002, but not later than 1 July 2005.


Because the requirement for prototype test of cargo hose has been added, cargo hoses newly installed on board ships after 1 July 2002 are required to obtain new type approval according to the new requirements.

For all existing chemical tankers, to which the amendments of the Tank Venting System apply, ClassNK will carry out plan reviews in order to check the compliance with the amendments before on-board survey. In this regard, you are requested to prepare the related drawings and send them to ClassNK for approval. Following the plan approval within Head Office, an on-board survey will be carried out to verify the ship's compliance according to the approved plan.
For Oil/Chemical Tankers to which the requirements of the tank venting system for oil tankers in 1996 Amendments of SOLAS 74 also applies, ClassNK will re-confirm the approved drawings of those vessels, so please advise if this is required.

(To be continued)

For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
Hull Department, Administration Center, Head Office
Address: 4-7, Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2017
Fax: +81-3-5226-2019
E-mail: hld@classnk.or.jp


Attachments: A: Prototype-test of cargo hoses for existing chemical tankers
B: Controlled tank venting system for existing chemical tankers