The International Bulk Chemical Code (IBC Code), established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), outlines the regulations for the bulk transportation of liquid chemicals. This code pertains to substances identified in MARPOL Annex II.
The transportation of chemicals in bulk is regulated by SOLAS Chapter VII, which addresses the carriage of dangerous goods, as well as MARPOL Annex II, which governs the control of pollution by noxious liquid substances in bulk.
Both conventions mandate that chemical tankers constructed after July 1, 1986, adhere to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code).
The IBC Code establishes an international standard for the safe maritime transport of dangerous and noxious liquid chemicals in bulk. To reduce risks to ships, their crews, and the environment, the Code outlines the design and construction standards for ships and the equipment they must carry, considering the specific characteristics of the products involved. In December 1985, the Code was extended to address marine pollution concerns, applying to vessels built after July 1, 1986, via resolution MEPC.19(22).
In October 2004, the IMO adopted revised MARPOL Annex II regulations aimed at controlling pollution from noxious liquid substances carried in bulk. This included a four-category system for classifying noxious liquid substances, which came into effect on January 1, 2007.
Subsequent amendments to the IBC Code were also made in October 2004 to align with the changes in MARPOL Annex II. These revisions updated the categorization of certain substances based on their potential to harm the marine environment, as well as adjustments to ship type and carriage requirements based on evaluations conducted by the Evaluation of Hazardous Substances Working Group.
Vessels built after 1986 that transport substances listed in Chapter 17 of the IBC Code must comply with the design, construction, equipment, and operational requirements outlined in the Code.
Ships that fall under the Code must be designed according to one of the following standards:
Type 1 Ship: A chemical tanker designed to transport Chapter 17 products with extremely severe environmental and safety hazards, necessitating maximum preventive measures to prevent any escape of cargo.
Type 2 Ship: A chemical tanker intended for transporting Chapter 17 products that pose significantly severe environmental and safety hazards, requiring substantial preventive measures to avoid cargo escape.
Type 3 Ship: A chemical tanker for transporting Chapter 17 products with moderately severe environmental and safety hazards, necessitating a moderate level of containment to enhance survival capability in the event of damage.
Thus, Type 1 ships are designated for the transportation of products deemed to present the highest overall risk, while Type 2 and Type 3 ships are meant for products with progressively lesser hazards. Consequently, a Type 1 ship must withstand the most extreme damage scenarios, and its cargo tanks must be situated at the maximum distance prescribed from the shell plating.
Under regulation 11 of MARPOL Annex II, chemical tankers built before July 1, 1986, must comply with the requirements of the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code), which is the predecessor to the IBC Code. The BCH Code continues to serve as a recommendation under the 1974 SOLAS Convention.
Links:
IBC Code Overview (IMO)
An official overview of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk.
Read more here.
IBC Code - Amended by Resolution MEPC.225(64)
Detailed documentation on the IBC Code, including amendments and regulations.
Access the document.
Lloyd's Register: IBC Code
Information from Lloyd's Register about the IBC Code and its implications for compliance with MARPOL Annex II.
Learn more here.
UK Government: Amendments to IBC
An overview of amendments to MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code as published by the UK government.
View the amendments.
Resolution MEPC.345(78)
The full text of the resolution adopted on June 10, 2022, concerning the IBC Code.
Read the resolution.
