Sea transport of solid bulk cargoes

Appendix 1 of the IMSBC Code provides detailed information for each assessed and implemented solid bulk substance, including:

• Specific characteristics
• Hazards
• Stowage and segregation
• Special requirements
• Precautionary measures
• Emergency procedures (where applicable)

These are mainly supplementary to the general rules in the IMSBC Code. A test certificate for the substance may be required.

Transporting a solid substance in bulk that is not listed in Appendix 1 requires prior authorisation. This authorisation may be:

• A Tripartite Provisional Agreement (TPA) for substances in Group A, B or A & B. A TPA is an agreement between the country of loading, the flag state or flag states of the ship and the country or countries of discharge.
• An authorisation for substances in Group C.

Application

If a substance is not listed in Appendix 1 nor in the list of substances already granted authorisation, the cargo owner may apply for authorisation from the competent authority in the country of loading. In the Netherlands, this is the ILT. Applications must be submitted using the online form Solid bulk cargo information reporting questionnaire. A test certificate may be required.

Authorisation

The TPA or authorisation may include additions to the general rules in the IMSBC Code. The ILT will notify the IMO, the flag state of the vessel and the country or countries of discharge of any authorisations granted within 1 year. Following consideration at international level, the IMO may add these authorised solid bulk cargoes to Appendix 1 in future updates of the IMSBC Code.

For substances that require a test certificate, Appendix 2 of the IMSBC Code specifies the tests to be performed. In the Netherlands, only laboratories approved by the ILT (in Dutch) may carry out these tests. If these laboratories cannot comply with the requirements of the IMSBC Code, the following alternatives apply:

• In the case of uninterrupted transport from the country of origin to the country of destination: The ILT accepts tests carried out in the country of origin by a laboratory approved by that country's competent authority. Proof of approval is required.
• If the transport is interrupted for transhipment or unloading in the Netherlands: The ILT accepts tests carried out in another EU Member State by a laboratory approved by that country's competent authority. Proof of approval is required.
• If the transport starts in the Netherlands: The ILT accepts tests carried out in another EU Member State by a laboratory approved by that country's competent authority. Proof of approval is required.