01/2024 - IMSBC Code 07-23 Amendments – Addition of three new MHB cargo schedules

Applicability: shipowners, ship operators, ship managers, ship masters, designers and shipbuilders.

New amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code will enter into force on 1 January 2025 with voluntary implementation from 1 January 2024. 

New cargoes

The amendments introduce new individual cargo schedules with specific carriage requirements for the following Group B cargoes (cargoes that possess a chemical hazard which could give rise to a dangerous situation on a ship): 

• DIRECT REDUCED IRON (D) (By-product fines with moisture content of at least 2%)
• ELECTRIC ARC FURNACE DUST, PELLETIZED¹
• ‘FISH MEAL (FISH SCRAP), STABILIZED Anti-oxidant treated’²

The following cargo schedule has been removed from the code: 

• ‘FISH MEAL (FISH SCRAP), STABILIZED UN 2216 Anti-oxidant treated’²
  

¹This cargo has been added to the list of cargoes which may be exempted for fixed gas fire-extinguishing system in the cargo holds, published as IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1395/Rev.6. 

²This cargo has effectively been re-classified from a Class 9 dangerous goods to a MHB cargo. The IMSBC Code carriage requirements remain the same, but ships will no longer require a dangerous goods certificate to carry the cargo. 

What we advise shipowners and ship operators to do now

Certification that includes the new Group B cargoes can be requested from Lloyd’s Register after the voluntary application date.

Other changes to the IMSBC Code
These include: 

• Addition of Group A³ cargo schedules for ‘Baryte, Flotation Chemical Grade’, ‘Crushed Granodiorite Fines’, ‘Dunite Fines’, ‘Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Powder’ and ‘Magnesite Fines’.
• Addition of Group C³ cargo schedules for ‘Brown Fused Alumina’, ‘Dunite’, ‘Potassium Nitrate’, ‘Sodium Nitrate’ and ‘Sodium Nitrate and Potassium Nitrate Mixture’.

³Group A and C cargoes are not individually listed on LR’s IMSBC Certification, i.e. the certificate allows carriage of all Group A and C cargoes. 

For more details on the amendments and a full list of the new cargoes added to the IMSBC Code, please see MSC.1/Circ.1395/Rev.6 and IMO Resolution MSC.539(107) – Amendments to the IMSBC Code.

For further information

For further information or advice, please get in touch with your local Lloyd's Register office or contact statutorysupport@lr.org

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