International and national rules apply to the sea transport of solid bulk cargoes. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) oversees compliance with these rules.
International and national rules
Those responsible for seagoing vessels, cargoes and terminals must comply with the following rules:
- The sea transport of solid bulk cargoes, excluding grain, is subject to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code) issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMSBC Code also applies to seagoing vessels of less than 500 GT.
- The carriage of grain in bulk is subject to the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (International Grain Code) of the IMO.
- Waste that crosses a border, including hazardous waste, is also subject to the European Waste Shipments Regulation (EWSR). Evidence that the EWSR notification procedure has been followed must be available on board.
- If the cargo is hazardous, the ship master must notify the port authority of the vessel’s arrival at a port in the Netherlands in advance.
- There are specific rules and requirements for loading and unloading solid bulk cargoes.
Classification of solid bulk cargoes
The IMSBC Code categorises solid bulk cargoes into 4 groups based on their hazardous properties:
- Group A: Bulk cargoes which may liquefy, become fluid or shift if they contain a certain level of moisture.
- Group B: Bulk cargoes that present a chemical hazard on board, such as self-heating, dust explosion, toxicity or oxygen depletion in the hold. These may include substances that:
- Are not listed in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code but present chemical hazards when carried in bulk. These are called materials hazardous only in bulk (MHB).
- Are listed in the IMDG Code and present additional MHB hazards.
- Are listed in the IMDG Code and do not present any additional MHB hazards.
- Group A & B: Bulk cargoes that fall into both Group A and Group B.
- Group C: Bulk cargoes that do not fall into Group A or Group B.
Assessed and unassessed solid bulk cargoes
Seagoing vessels may only carry assessed solid bulk substances. These substances are listed in Appendix 1 of the IMSBC Code or have received separate authorisation.
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 transshipment 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.
Loading and unloading
Rules and requirements apply to the loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes.
Reporting requirement
The ILT oversees whether sea transport complies with international and national rules. Reporting of deficiencies, irregularities and incidents is mandatory. The ILT can be contacted:
- Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:30 on +31 70 456 46 50.
- Outside these hours for emergencies on +31 88 489 00.
- By e-mail: psc@ilent.nl.