SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Chapter VI, Part C mandates that cargo ships engaged in international voyages and carrying grain must adhere to the regulations outlined in the International Grain Code. A key requirement of this code is that such ships must possess a grain loading manual approved by either the ship’s Administration (the government of the flag state) or a Recognised Organisation, reports Lloyd’s Register.
Grain Code Loading Conditions
The current International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (Grain Code) specifies the following recognized loading conditions for ships carrying grain:
- Filled compartments, trimmed: Grain compartments that are filled and the surface of the grain is leveled.
- Filled compartments, untrimmed: Grain compartments that are completely filled, but the surface of the grain is not leveled.
- Partly filled compartments: Grain compartments that are not completely filled.
The recent amendments to the Grain Code introduce a new, optional loading condition, specifically defined as:
- Specially suitable compartment, partly filled around the hatch opening, with untrimmed ends: This condition applies to compartments deemed specially suitable for this type of loading. The compartment is partly filled, specifically in the area around the hatch opening, while the grain at the ends of the compartment remains untrimmed (not leveled).
This new optional loading condition provides an additional method for the safe carriage of grain in bulk under specific circumstances and within specially designed compartments.
Way Forward
Shipowners and operators are hereby reminded of the upcoming amendments to the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (Grain Code). Specifically, for any ship intending to load grain according to the newly defined optional condition – “specially suitable compartment, partly filled in way of the hatch opening, with ends untrimmed” – on or after January 1, 2026, it is imperative that this specific loading condition is already included within the ship’s approved grain loading manual. This ensures compliance with the updated regulations and the safe carriage of grain under this particular loading arrangement.
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Source: Lloyd’s Register
