West of England P&I Club notes that forthcoming amendments to the SOLAS-mandated IMSBC Code (Amendment 08-2) will introduce enhanced requirements for the carriage of solid bulk cargoes, impacting documentation, cargo classification and shipboard procedures.
The revised edition of the IMSBC Code will extend its scope to include updated definitions and refined schedules for cargoes liable to liquefy, while embedding tighter alignment with SOLAS Chapter VI provisions. Under the new framework, shippers must provide more robust certification of moisture content and Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) for relevant cargoes, and competent authorities must verify approved sampling, testing and control procedures at the loading port.
Changes are also proposed to the cargo declaration format and the Certificate of Compliance for bulk carriers, reflecting the updated cargo-group classifications and newly defined hazard categories. Ship operators, cargo interests and terminal stakeholders are advised to review their loading manuals, safety procedures and training programmes to ensure alignment well ahead of initial survey deadlines.
Under the amendments’ timeline, implementation is scheduled to become mandatory starting 1 January 2025, with voluntary application permitted before that date at the discretion of the flag Administration. During the transition period, vessels may continue operating under prior procedures, but readiness for full compliance is encouraged to avoid inspection or cargo acceptance disruptions.
To support the shipping community’s adoption of the updated code, industry bodies recommend a thorough gap-analysis of current practices with the new requirements, and close coordination with flag States and Recognised Organisations on survey planning and certification timelines.
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Source: West of England P&I Club
