【Regulation】 IMSBC CODE Amendment 1st Dec. 2023

IMSBC CODE will be amended from 1 Dec. 2023, which we introduced in this article.  

Date of apply

1 Dec. 2023 / Administrations may apply it on a voluntary basis as from 1 January 2023.

What will be amended? 

1．Definition changes for Group A cargo

Definition of Group A cargo will be changed from 「Cargoes which may liquefy」to「Cargoes which may liquefy or undergo dynamic separation」.

Dynamic Separation is a phenomenon which the moisture in the cargo migrates to the surface of a hold as the cargo compacts from underneath due to vibration and vessel movement. It can cause vessels to become unbalance and trip over.

Bauxite is known as a cargo which may occur dynamic separation. The category of Bauxite had been changed from Group C to Group A since previous IMSBC Code amendment because a trip over incident due to Bauxite dynamic separation happened before. 

On the other hand, since liquefaction and dynamic separation are different phenomena, there was some ambiguity as to whether bauxite could be categorized as Group A.

This revision clearly defines that cargoes in which dynamic separation occurs are Group A.

Please see below link about dynamic separation and liquefaction.

https://www.amsa.gov.au/vessels-operators/cargoes-and-dangerous-goods/dynamic-separation-cargoes

2．Schedule change of Ammonium nitrate based fertilizer

From individual schedule, ‘AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILIZER(non-hazardous)’ is deleted, then ’AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILIZER’ and ‘AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILIZER MHB’ are newly added.

One of the differences between ’AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILIZER’ and ‘AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILIZER MHB’ is a content rate of chloride.

‘AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILIZER MHB’ has higher content rate of chloride and categorized as Group B.

	Deleted	Added
Name	AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILIZER(non-hazardous)	AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILIZER	AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILIZER MHB
Group	Group C	Group C	Group B

3. Schedule change of SUPERPHOSPHATE(triple, granular)

SUPERPHOSPHATE(triple, granular) category is changed from Group C to Group B. Requirements of ship's construction and equipment are also changed because of this category. 

4．Cargoes which newly added 

Below cargoes are newly added in individual schedule. 

LEACH RESIDUE CONTAINING LEAD

CLAM SHELL

Please refer technical information from Class NK.

https://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/pdf/tech_info/tech_img/T1283j.pdf

Please refer attached IMO Res. MSC.500(105) ANNEX7 for the detail of amendment.