Resolution  MEPC.145(54)

EARLY AND EFFECTIVE APPLICATION OF THE 2006 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 of 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),

HAVING ADOPTED, by resolution MEPC.144(54), the 2006 amendments to the BCH Code,

NOTING that article 16(2)(f)(iii) of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (the 1973 Convention) provides that the aforesaid 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 to MARPOL 73/78 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 objections to the amendments,

NOTING ALSO that in accordance with article 16(2)(g)(ii) of the 1973 Convention, the aforesaid amendments to the BCH Code, shall enter into force on 1 August 2007 upon their deemed acceptance in accordance with article 16(2)(f)(iii) of the 1973 Convention,

NOTING IN PARTICULAR that the purpose of the BCH Code is to recommend suitable design criteria, construction standards and other safety measures for ships transporting dangerous and noxious chemical substances in bulk to minimize the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment,

1. INVITES Parties to MARPOL 73/78 to consider the application of the aforesaid amendments to the BCH Code, as soon as practically possible to ships entitled to fly their flag, taking into account