M.S. Notice 6 of 2006
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No:SS/MISC(11)/2006 |
Dated:
April 21 ,
2006 |
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Sub: Certain provisions of revised Chapter XII of SOLAS on Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers and provisions of MSC Resolution MSC.168(79) on Standards and criteria for Side Structures of Single Side Skin Construction Bulk Carriers |
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1. As you are aware that the provisions of revised Chapter XII of SOLAS 1974 on additional safety measures for bulk carriers and provisions of MSC Resolution MSC.168(79) on Standards and Criteria for Side Structures of Single-Side Skin Construction Bulk Carriers are coming into force with effect from 1st July, 2006. 2. Regulation XII/4 stipulates as follows: "Bulk carriers of 150 m in length and upwards of single-side skin construction, carrying cargoes having a density of 1,780 kg/m3 and above, if not meeting the requirements for withstanding flooding of any one cargo hold as specified in regulation 5.1 and the Standards and criteria for side structures of bulk carriers of single-side skin construction, adopted by the Organization by resolution MSC.168 (79), as may be amended by the organization, provided that such amendments are adopted, brought into force and take effect in accordance with the provisions of article VIII of the present Convention concerning the amendment procedures applicable to the Annex other than Chapter I, shall not sail with any hold loaded to less than 10% of the hold's, maximum allowable cargo weight when in the full load condition, after reaching 10 years of age. The applicable full load condition for this regulation is a load equal to or greater than 90% of the ship's deadweight at the relevant assigned freeboard." 3. Provisions of Regulation 14 therefore mean that all the bulk carriers built before 1st July 1999 of 150 m in length and above and of single-side skin construction will not be able to sail with any hold loaded to less than 10% of the hold's maximum allowable cargo weight in the full load condition with cargoes having a density of 1,780 Kg/m3 and above after reaching 10 years of age unless they comply with the provisions of Regulation XII/5.1 and MSC.168(79). 4. This would necessitate that all such ship's (Bulk Carrier of 150 M in length and upwards of Single Side Skin Construction carrying solid bulk cargoes having density of 1,780 Kg/m3 and above) existing Trim & Stability Booklet and the Loading Operation Manual (LOM) will have to be reviewed by the Directorate for compliance with the provisions of Regulation XII/14. Shipowners / operators are therefore advised to initiate following actions immediately:- a) Damage stability calculations complying with Regulation XII/5.1 (ie. flooding of any one cargo hold) to be submitted to the Directorate for scrutiny and approval. unless the same has already been approved by the Directorate earlier. b) A letter from Class (RO) regarding compliance with strength and structural requirements as per Regulation XII/5.1 (ie. compliance with UR S17, 18 & 20) and Resolution MSC.168 (79). 5. All such ships complying with Regulation XII/6, XII/5.1 and MSC.168(79), after reaching 10 years of age, shall have their Trim & Stability booklet and Loading Operation Manual endorsed by the Directorate for compliance with Regulation XII/5.1 and Resolution MSC.168(79), by 1st July 2006. 6. All such ships not complying with Regulation XII/6, XII/5.1 and Resolution MSC.168(79) shall be permanently marked in accordance with Regulation XII/8.3 and the same shall be verified by the Recognized Organization by 1st July, 2006. Owners /operators of such ships are advised to submit an annexure to the Trim & Stability booklet and Loading Operation Manual after modifying the relevant loading conditions in accordance with Regulation XII/14, for review and approval. The annexure to Loading Operation manual containing the modified loading sequences must be got approved by IRS from strength point of view before submitting the same for Directorate's approval.
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