Resolution MEPC.144(54)
AMENDMENTS TO THE CODE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT OF SHIPS CARRYING
DANGEROUS CHEMICALS IN BULK (BCH CODE)
(Adopted on 24 March 2006)
THE
MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE,
RECALLING
article 38(a) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (the
Committee) conferred upon it by international conventions for the prevention
and control of marine pollution,
RECALLING
ALSO resolution MEPC.20(22) by which the Committee adopted the Code for the
Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH
Code),
NOTING
article 16 of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as the "1973 Convention") and
article VI of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for
the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as the
"1978 Protocol") which together specify the amendment procedure of
the 1978 Protocol and confer upon the appropriate body of the Organization the
function of considering and adopting amendments to the 1973 Convention, as
modified by the 1978 Protocol (MARPOL 73/78),
CONSIDERING
that it is highly desirable for the provisions of the BCH Code which are
mandatory under MARPOL 73/78 and recommendatory from a safety standpoint, to
remain identical, when adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee
and the Maritime Safety Committee,
HAVING
CONSIDERED the proposed amendments to the BCH Code,
1.
ADOPTS, in accordance with article 16(2)(b), (c) and (d) of the 1973
Convention, the amendments to the BCH Code, the text of which is set out at the
annex to the present resolution;
2.
DETERMINES, in accordance with article 16(2)(f)(iii) of the 1973 Convention,
that the amendments to the BCH Code shall be deemed to have been accepted on 1
February 2007 unless, prior to that date, not less than one-third of the
Parties or Parties, the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less
than 50 per cent of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant fleet, have
communicated to the Organization their objection to the amendments;
3.
INVITES the Parties to note that, in accordance with article 16(2)(g)(ii) of
the 1973 Convention, the amendments to the BCH Code shall enter into force on 1
August 2007 upon their acceptance in accordance with paragraph 2 above;
4.
INVITES ALSO the Maritime Safety Committee to note this resolution and take
action as appropriate;
5.
REQUESTS the Secretary-General, in conformity with article 16(2)(e) of the 1973
Convention, to transmit to all Parties to MARPOL 73/78 certified copies of the
present resolution and the text of the amendments to the BCH Code contained in
the annex; and
6.
REQUESTS FURTHER the Secretary-General to transmit copies of the present
resolution and its annex to the Members of the Organization which are not
Parties to MARPOL 73/78.
Annex.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CODE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT OF SHIPS CARRYING DANGEROUS
CHEMICALS IN BULK (BCH CODE)
The
BCH Code is amended as follows:
1.
The following new paragraph is added:
"7.
The Code has been revised to reflect the 2007 revision of MARPOL Annex II"
2. In the second
sentence, the words "as defined in regulation 1(1) of Annex II
thereof" are deleted and the references to (Pollution Category) "A, B
or C" are replaced by "X, Y or Z".
3.
Paragraph 1.4.16A is replaced by the following:
"1.4.16A
Noxious Liquid Substance means any substance indicated in the Pollution
Category column of chapter 17 or 18 of the International Bulk Chemical Code, or
the current MEPC.2/Circular or provisionally assessed under the provisions of
regulation 6.3 of the amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relative
to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships,
1973, as falling into Category X, Y or Z."
4.
In paragraph 1.4.16B the existing text is deleted and the word
"Deleted" is inserted.
5. The paragraph
number of the definition of "anniversary date" which was adopted as
"1.4.16C" by resolution MEPC.41(29) is amended to read "1.4.16D".
6.
In the second sentence of paragraph 1.7.2, the reference to "regulation
1(12)" is replaced by "regulation 1.17".
7.
In the first sentence of paragraph 1.8, the reference to (Pollution Category)
"A, B or C" is replaced by "X, Y or Z".
8.
The existing text is replaced by the following:
"2.17.1 Structural materials used for tank construction,
together with associated piping, pumps, valves, vents and their jointing
materials, should be suitable at the temperature and pressure for the cargo to
be carried in accordance with recognized standards. Steel is assumed to be the
normal material of construction.
2.17.2 Where applicable, the following should be taken into
account in selecting the material of construction:
.1
notch ductility at the operating temperature;
.2
corrosive effect of the cargo; and
.3
possibility of hazardous reactions between the cargo and the material of
construction.
2.17.3 The shipper of the cargo is responsible for providing
compatibility information to the ship operator and/or master. This must be done
in a timely manner before transportation of the product. The cargo shall be
compatible with all materials of construction such that:
.1
no damage to the integrity of the materials of construction is incurred; and
.2
no hazardous, or potentially hazardous reaction is created.
2.17.4 When a product is submitted to IMO for evaluation, and
where compatibility of the product with materials referred to in paragraph 2.17
renders special requirements, the GESAMP/EHS Product Data Reporting Form shall
provide information on the required materials of construction. These
requirements shall be reflected in chapter IV and consequentially be referred
to in column o of chapter 17 of the IBC Code. The reporting form shall also
indicate if no special requirements are necessary. The producer of the product
is responsible for providing the correct information."
9. In paragraph 2.18,
the existing text is deleted and the word "Deleted"
is inserted.
CHAPTER III.
Safety equipment and related considerations
10.
After the heading, the following words are inserted:
"(SOLAS
regulations referred to in Part E mean, unless expressly provided otherwise,
regulations in chapter II-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of
Life at Sea, 1974 and its relevant amendments adopted before by resolution
MSC.99(73))".
11.
In paragraph 3.13.3 the existing text is deleted and the word "Deleted" is inserted.
12.
The following new paragraph 3.13.5 is added:
"3.13.5 The following requirements in SOLAS chapter II-2, as
adopted by MSC.99(73), should apply:
(a)
regulations II-2/4.5.10.1.1 and 4.5.10.1.4 and a system for continuous
monitoring of the concentration of flammable vapours shall be fitted on ships
of 500 tons gross tonnage and over by the date of the first scheduled
dry-docking after [the date of entry into force of the amendment], but not
later than [3 years after the date of entry into force of the amendment]. Sampling
points or detector heads should be located in suitable positions in order that
potentially dangerous leakages are readily detected. When the flammable vapour
concentration reaches a pre-set level which shall not be higher than 10% of the
lower flammable limit, a continuous audible and visual alarm signal shall be
automatically effected in the pump-room and cargo control room to alert
personnel to the potential hazard. However, existing monitoring systems already
fitted having a pre-set level not greater than 30% of the lower flammable limit
may be accepted. Notwithstanding the above provisions, the Administration may
exempt ships not engaged on international voyages from those requirements;
(b)
regulations 13.3.4.2 to 13.3.4.5 and 13.4.3 should apply to ships of 500 tons
gross tonnage and over;
(c)
regulations in Part E of chapter II-2 of SOLAS Convention except regulations
16.3.2.2 and 16.3.2.3 thereof, should apply to ships, regardless of their
sizes;
(d)
where deep-fat cooking equipment is newly installed, regulation 10.6.4 should
apply; and
(e)
fire-extinguishing systems using Halon 1211, 1301, and 2402 and
perfluorocarbons should not be newly installed as prohibited by regulation
10.4.1.3.".
13.
After the heading, the following words are inserted:
"(SOLAS
regulations referred to in Part F mean, unless expressly provided otherwise,
regulations in chapter II-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of
Life at Sea, 1974 and its relevant amendments adopted before by resolution
MSC.99(73))".
CHAPTER IV.
Special requirements
4.12 Materials of construction
14.
In paragraph 4.12, the existing text is deleted and the word "Deleted" is inserted.
15.
In paragraph 4.15.1, the existing text is deleted and the word "Deleted" is inserted.
CHAPTER V.
Operational requirements
16. In paragraph
5.2.5, the viscosity figure "25 mPa", which appears twice, is
replaced with "50 mPa".
17.
In paragraph 5.2.6, the existing text is deleted and the word "Deleted" is inserted.
18.
In paragraph 5.2.7, the existing text is deleted and the word "Deleted" is inserted.
CHAPTER VA.
Additional measures for the protection of the marine environment
19.
The existing text is deleted and the word "Deleted"
is inserted.
CHAPTER VI.
Summary of minimum requirements
20.
The IBC/BCH cross-references to the requirements under Materials of
construction (column m) and the following cross-references under special
requirements (column o) are deleted:
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"IBC Code reference |
BCH Code reference |
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15.16.1 16.2.7 16.2.8 16A.2.2 |
4.15.1 5.2.6 5.2.7 5A.2.2" |
CHAPTER VIII.
Transport of liquid chemical wastes
21.
In paragraph 8.3.2.2 reference to "chapter 19" of the IBC Code is
replaced by "chapter 20".
APPENDIX.
Model form of Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in
Bulk
22. The existing form
is replaced by the following:
"MODEL
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS FOR THE CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS CHEMICALS IN BULK
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The
ship is exempted from compliance with the following provisions of the Code: |
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THIS
IS TO CERTIFY: |
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1.
That the ship has been surveyed in accordance with the provisions of section
1.6 2.
That the survey showed that the construction and equipment of the ship and
the condition thereof are in all respects satisfactory and that the ship: .1 complies with
the relevant provisions of the Code applicable to ships .2 complies with
the relevant provisions of the Code applicable to ships 3.
That the ship has been provided with a manual in accordance with Appendix 4
of MARPOL Annex II as called for by regulation 14 of the Annex, and that the
arrangements and equipment of the ship prescribed in the Manual are in all 4.
That the ship meets the requirements for the carriage in bulk of the
following products, provided that all relevant operational provisions of the
Code and MARPOL Annex II are observed: |
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Product |
Conditions of carriage (tank numbers, etc.) |
Pollution Category |
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Continued
on attachment 1, additional signed and dated sheets3 Tank
numbers referred to in this list are identified on attachment 2, signed and
dated tank plan. |
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________________
3 Delete as
appropriate.
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5.
That, in accordance with 1.7.3/2.2.53, the provisions of the Code
are modified in respect of the ship in the following manner: ........................................................................ |
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6.
That the ship must be loaded: .1 in accordance
with the loading conditions provided in the approved loading manual, stamped
and dated ........................ and signed by a responsible officer of the
Administration, or of an organization recognized by the Administration3; .2 in accordance
with the loading limitations appended to this Certificate3. |
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Where
it is required to load the ship other than in accordance with the above
instruction, then the necessary calculations to justify the proposed loading
conditions should be communicated to the certifying Administration who may
authorize in writing the adoption of the proposed loading condition4. |
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This
Certificate is valid until ........................................5 subject
to surveys in accordance with 1.6 of the Code. |
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Completion
date of the survey on which this certificate is based: ........
(dd/mm/yyyy) |
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Issued at
.................................................. (Place of issue of certificate) |
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...................... .......................................... (Date of
issue) (Signature
of authorized official
issuing the certificate) |
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(Seal
or stamp of the authority, as appropriate) |
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Notes
on completion of Certificate: 1.
The Certificate can be issued only to ships entitled to fly the flags of
States which are a Party to MARPOL 73/78. 2.
Ship Type: Any entry under this column must relate to all relevant
recommendations, e.g., an entry "Type 2" should mean Type 2 in all
respects prescribed by the Code. This column would not usually apply in the
cases of an existing ship and in such a case should be noted "see
paragraph 2.2". 3.
Products: Products listed in chapter 17 of the Code, or which have been
evaluated by the Administration in accordance with 1.8 of the Code, should be
listed. In respect of the latter "new" products, any special
requirements provisionally 4.
Products: The list of products the ship is suitable to carry should include the
noxious liquid substances of Category Z which are not covered by the Code and
should be identified as "chapter 18 Category Z". 5.
deleted ________________ |
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3 Delete as
appropriate. 4 Instead of
being incorporated in the Certificate, this text may be appended to the
Certificate if signed and stamped. 5 Insert the
date of expiry as specified by the Administration in accordance with 1.6.6.1
of the Code. The day and the month of this day correspond to the anniversary
date as defined in 1.4.16D of the Code, unless amended in accordance with
1.6.6.8 of the Code. |
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6.
Conditions of carriage: If a Certificate is issued to a ship which is
modified in accordance with the provision of regulation 1(12) of MARPOL Annex
II the Certificate should indicate in the top of the table of products and
conditions of carriage the following statement: "This ship is
certificated to carry only pollution hazard chemicals". |
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THIS
IS TO CERTIFY that at a survey required by 1.6.2 of the Code the ship was
found to comply with the relevant provisions of the Code. |
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Annual
survey: |
Signed
.................................... (Signature of
duly authorized official) |
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Place
..................................... |
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Date
(dd/mm/yyyy)
.................................... |
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(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as
appropriate) |
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Annual/Intermediate3
survey: Signed
....................................
(Signature of duly authorized official) |
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Place
..................................... |
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Date
(dd/mm/yyyy)..................................... |
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(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as
appropriate) |
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Annual/Intermediate3
survey: Signed
....................................
(Signature of duly
authorized official) |
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Place
..................................... |
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Date
(dd/mm/yyyy)..................................... |
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(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as
appropriate) |
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Annual
survey: |
Signed
.................................... (Signature of
duly authorized official) |
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Place
..................................... |