In demonstrating its ongoing commitment to support the work of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), IACS will attend the next meeting of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 6) that will meet from 9 to 13 September 2019.
IACS has submitted the following papers regarding Unified Interpretations (UIs). When necessary, UIs are developed to facilitate the global and consistent implementation of IMO mandatory requirements. In the following papers, the IMO instruments referred to are the latest version of the International Code of the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code, as amended by resolution MSC.370(93)); and the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code).
- CCC 6/8 – In relation to the IGC Code, IACS has developed UI GC20 providing clarification as to where tee welds can be accepted in type A or type B independent tanks. In addition, IACS UI GC21 clarifies the welding of type C independent tanks including bi-lobe tanks, primarily constructed of curved surfaces fitted with a centreline bulkhead.
- CCC 6/8/1 – this paper provides a further four IACS UIs on the following issues addressed in the IGC Code: piping insulation (GC25), type testing requirements for valves (GC 26), guidance for sizing pressure relief systems for inter-barrier spaces (GC 28) and integrated systems (GC29). The paper also requests clarification on the principles regarding the design of interconnection pipes as required by paragraph 15.4.1 of the Code. Finally, ten further draft UIs are offered addressing a variety of issues in the Code that are considered to be in need of further clarification.
- CCC 6/8/2 – this paper provides a draft UI to clarify the provisions of paragraphs 11.2 and 11.3.4 of the IGC Code regarding the capacity of the emergency fire pump. This is based on the principle, as agreed at CCC 5, of the fire-fighting system dealing with one scenario at a time. Also, based on the discussion at CCC 5, the paper provides a further draft unified interpretation regarding paragraph 11.3.4 of the IGC Code on the availability of fire pumps for the water supply to the spray system for the boundaries of superstructures and deckhouses normally manned, and lifeboats, liferafts and muster areas facing the cargo area.
- CCC 6/8/4 – this paper notes that none of the single engines that run only on gas, which are currently available on the market, have two independent fuel supply systems. Hence, the draft UI provided at the annex to this paper describes arrangements that, inter alia, are considered to provide practical implementation of the requirement in paragraph 9.3.1 of Part A-1 of the IGF Code regarding redundancy of fuel supplies.
- CCC 6/8/5 – this paper provides a draft updated version of the UI provided in MSC.1/Circ.1558 regarding paragraphs 6.9.1.1 and 6.9.1.2 of Part A-1 of the IGF Code. This draft explains how segregation and redundancy can be achieved in the fuel supply system (or other means to maintain temperature and pressure within acceptable limits), on those tankers that are not able to accumulate pressure for 15 days without opening the pressure relief valves (PRVs).
- CCC 6/8/6 – this paper discusses and seeks the views of the Sub-Committee on the ventilation requirements in the IGC Code for cofferdams surrounding the cargo tanks on membrane type gas carriers. The paper also addresses a related issue, that is the description of “permanent installations” and “portable systems” in paragraph 12.2.2 of the revised IGC Code. In the view of IACS, these terms require clarification.
IACS has submitted three further papers to CCC 6.
- CCC 6/2/3 – this paper discusses provisions in the draft International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code) concerning the carriage of dangerous goods, which the Sub-Committee has been tasked with reviewing. In particular, the paper proposes text for inclusion in the draft IP Code on compliance with the provisions of the IMDG Code.
- CCC 6/3/3 – based on the experience gained to date in its application, IACS proposes amendments to Part A-1 of the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code). These proposals relate to sections of the Code that address safety features in the gas supply system; the fuel supply to consumers in gas-safe machinery spaces; requirements in hazardous area zones; and ventilation arrangements.
- CCC 6/6/18 – IACS provides comments on the report of the thirty-first session of the Editorial and Technical Group (E&T 31) regarding the clarifications of the terms “life-saving appliances” and “areas with public access” in paragraph 7.1.4.4.2 of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
IACS will also closely monitor the discussions and respond to any requests for advice and comments on other issues to be considered at CCC 6, which fall within the experience, expertise and remit of IACS and its Members.
Any enquiries on the above should be sent to Paul Sadler, IACS Accredited Representative to IMO, at permsec@iacs.org.uk