Chapter I

General

1.1 Purpose
The purpose of the Code is to recommend suitable design criteria, construction
standards and other safety measures for ships transporting dangerous and
noxious chemical substances in bulk so as to minimize the risk to the ship, its
crew and the environment. For the purposes of MARPOL 73/78, the Code
applies only to chemical tankers which are engaged in the carriage of noxious
liquid substances falling into category X, Y or Z and identified as such by an
entry of X, Y or Z in column c of chapter 17 of the International Code for the
Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk
(IBC Code).

1.2 Scope
1.2.1 Products: The Code applies to bulk cargoes of dangerous and noxious
chemical substances, other than petroleum or similar flammable products, as
follows:
(a) Products having significant fire hazards in excess of those of
petroleum products and similar flammable products.
(b) Products having significant hazards in addition to or other than
flammability.
(c) Products which may present a hazard to the environment, if
accidentally released.

The Code is at present limited to the liquids shown in the summary of

minimum requirements in chapter 17 of the IBC Code. Products that have
been reviewed and determined not to present safety and pollution hazards to
such an extent as to warrant application of the Code are found in chapter 18
of the IBC Code.

1.2.2 Ships: The Code is at present limited to tankships.

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1.3 Hazards
1.3.1 Hazards of chemicals and other substances relating to human life
considered in this Code are:
(a) Fire hazard defined by flashpoint, boiling point, explosion limit
range and auto-ignition temperature of the chemical.
(b) Health hazard defined by:
(i) irritant or toxic effect on the skin or on the mucous
membranes of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs in the gas or
vapour state combined with vapour pressure; or
(ii) irritational effects on the skin in the liquid state; or
(iii) toxic effect via skin absorption, taking into account values
of LC50, LD50 (oral), and LD50 (skin).
(c) Water pollution hazard defined by human toxicity, water
solubility, volatility, odour or taste, and specific gravity.
(d) Air pollution hazard defined by:
(i) emergency exposure limit (EEL) or LC50;
(ii) vapour pressure;
(iii) solubility in water;
(iv) specific gravity of liquid;
(v) relative density of vapour.
(e) Reactivity hazard defined by reactivity with:
(i) other chemicals, or
(ii) water, or
(iii) the chemical itself (including polymerization).

1.3.2 Hazards of chemicals and other substances relating to the marine

environment considered by this Code are:
(a) bioaccumulation with attendant risk to aquatic life or human
health or causing tainting to seafood;
(b) damage to living resources;
(c) hazards to human health; and
(d) reduction of amenities.

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1.4 Definitions
1.4.1 Liquids covered by this Code are those having a vapour pressure not
exceeding 2.8 kp/cm2 at a temperature of 37.88C.

1.4.2 Vapour pressure is equilibrium pressure of the saturated vapour above

the liquid expressed in kp/cm2 or mmHg absolute at a specified temperature.

1.4.3 Flashpoint is the temperature in degrees Celsius at which a liquid will

give off enough flammable vapour to be ignited. Values given in this Code are
both ‘‘open-cup’’ and ‘‘closed-cup’’, which indicate two different types of test
equipment.

1.4.4 Boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid exhibits a vapour

pressure equal to the atmospheric barometric pressure.

1.4.5 Explosive range is the range of gas or vapour concentrations (per cent
by volume in air) which will burn or explode if an ignition source is present.

1.4.6 Specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of a certain volume of a

substance to the weight of an equal volume of water. For liquids of limited
solubility, the specific gravity will predict whether the product will sink or float
in water.

1.4.7 Vapour density is the relative density or the ratio of the weight of a
vapour or gas (with no air present) to the weight of an equal volume of air at
the same pressure and temperature. Values less than 1 indicate that the
vapour or gas is lighter than air, while values greater than 1 show that the gas
is heavier than air.

1.4.8 Viscosity is the shearing resistance of a liquid film which separates two
horizontal plates, one of which is being moved across the other. The absolute
viscosity of a substance is the force in dynes which will move 1 cm2 of a plane
surface with a speed of 1 cm/s relative to another parallel plane surface from
which it is separated by a layer of the substance 1 cm thick. The kinematic
viscosity of a substance is the ratio of the absolute viscosity to the density of
the substance at the temperature of measurement.

1.4.9 Corrosive aggression is the property of a substance having a

destructive effect on the environment by entering into an electrochemical
reaction with it.

1.4.10 Cargo pump-rooms are spaces containing pumps and their accessories
for the handling of products covered by the Code.

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1.4.11 Pump-rooms are spaces, located in the cargo-tank area, containing

pumps and their accessories for the handling of ballast and fuel oil.

1.4.12 Cargo-tank area is that part of the ship that contains cargo tanks and
cargo pump-rooms and includes cofferdams, void spaces and deck spaces
adjacent to and above all such spaces.

1.4.13 Separate means that a cargo piping system or cargo vent system, for
example, is not connected to another cargo piping or cargo vent system. This
separation may be achieved by the use of design or operational methods.
Operational methods should not be used within a cargo tank and should
consist of one of the following types:
(a) removing spool-pieces or valves and blanking the pipe ends;
(b) arrangement of two spectacle flanges in series, with provisions
for detecting leakage into the pipe between the two spectacle
flanges.

1.4.14 Independent means that a piping or venting system, for example, is in

no way connected to another system and that there are no provisions
available for the potential connection to other systems.

1.4.15 For the purpose of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide/propylene

oxide mixtures with an ethylene oxide content of not more than 30% by
weight (section 4.7), reference temperature means the temperature corre-
sponding to the vapour pressure of the cargo at the set pressure of the
pressure-relief valve.

1.4.16 Toxicity limits

(a) LD50 (oral): a dose which is lethal to 50% of the test subjects
when administered orally;
(b) LD50 (skin): a dose which is lethal to 50% of the test subjects
when administered to the skin;
(c) LC50: the concentration which is lethal by inhalation to 50% of
the test subjects.

1.4.16A Noxious liquid substance means any substance indicated in the

pollution category column of chapter 17 or 18 of the International Bulk
Chemical Code, or the current MEPC.2/Circular or provisionally assessed
under the provisions of regulation 6.3 of the amendments to the Annex of the
Protocol of 1978 relative to the International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships, 1973, as falling into Category X, Y or Z.

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1.4.16B Deleted

1.4.16C The IBC Code means the International Code for the Construction and
Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk adopted by the
Maritime Safety Committee and the Marine Environment Protection
Committee of the Organization by resolutions MSC.4(48) and MEPC.19(22)
respectively, as amended.

1.4.16D Anniversary date means the day and the month of each year which
will correspond to the date of expiry of the Certificate of Fitness for the
Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk.

1.4.17 Where reference is made in the Code to a main paragraph, all the
provisions of the subparagraphs of that designation should apply.

1.5 Equivalents
1.5.1 Where the Code requires that a particular fitting, material, appliance
or apparatus, or type thereof, should be fitted or carried in a ship, or that any
particular provision should be made, the Administration may allow any other
fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, to be fitted or carried,
or any other provision to be made in that ship, if it is satisfied by trial thereof or
otherwise that such fitting, material, appliance or apparatus or type thereof, or
provision, is at least as effective as that required by the Code.

1.5.2 When the Administration so allows any fitting, material, appliance,

apparatus, item of equipment, or type thereof, or provision, procedure, or
arrangement, or novel design or application to be substituted hereafter, it
should communicate to IMO the particulars thereof together with a report on
the evidence submitted so that the Organization may circulate the same to
other Parties to MARPOL 73/78 and other participating Governments for the
information of their officers

1.6 Survey and certification

1.6.1 Survey procedure

[Link] The survey of ships, so far as regards the enforcement of the provisions
of the regulations and granting of exemptions therefrom, should be carried out
by officers of the Administration. The Administration may, however, entrust the
surveys either to surveyors nominated for the purpose or to organizations
recognized by it.

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[Link] The Administration nominating surveyors or recognizing organizations

to conduct surveys should, as a minimum, empower any nominated surveyor
or recognized organization to:
.1 require repairs to a ship; and
.2 carry out surveys if requested by the appropriate authorities of a
port State.

The Administration should notify the Organization of the specific responsi-

bilities and conditions of the authority delegated to nominated surveyors or
recognized organizations for circulation to the Contracting Governments.

[Link] When a nominated surveyor or recognized organization determines

that the condition of the ship or its equipment does not correspond
substantially with the particulars of the Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of
Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, or is such that the ship is not fit to proceed to
sea without danger to the ship, or persons on board, or without presenting
unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment, such surveyor or
organization should immediately ensure that corrective action is taken and
should in due course notify the Administration. If such corrective action is not
taken the Certificate should be withdrawn and the Administration should be
notified immediately; and, if the ship is in a port of another Contracting
Government, the appropriate authorities of the port State should also be
notified immediately. When an officer of the Administration, a nominated
surveyor or a recognized organization has notified the appropriate authorities
of the port State, the Government of the port State concerned should give
such officer, surveyor or organization any necessary assistance to carry out
their obligations under this paragraph. When applicable, the Government of
the port State concerned should take such steps as will ensure that the ship
does not sail until it can proceed to sea or leave the port for the purpose of
proceeding to the nearest appropriate repair yard available without danger to
the ship or persons on board or without presenting an unreasonable threat of
harm to the marine environment.

[Link] In every case, the Administration should guarantee the completeness

and efficiency of the survey, and should undertake to ensure the necessary
arrangements to satisfy this obligation.

1.6.2 Survey requirements

[Link] The structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and material (other

than items in respect of which a Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate,

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Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate and Cargo Ship Safety Radio
Certificate or Cargo Ship Safety Certificate are issued) of a chemical tanker
should be subjected to the following surveys:
.1 An initial survey before the ship is put in service or before the
Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in
Bulk is issued for the first time, which should include a complete
examination of its structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements
and material in so far as the ship is covered by the Code. This
survey should be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment,
fittings, arrangements and material fully comply with the
applicable provisions of the Code.
.2 A renewal survey at intervals specified by the Administration, but
not exceeding five years, except where [Link].2, [Link], [Link]
or [Link] is applicable. The renewal survey should be such as to
ensure that the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and
material fully comply with the applicable provisions of the Code .
.3 An intermediate survey within three months before or after the
second anniversary date or within three months before or after
the third anniversary date of the Certificate which should take the
place of one of the annual surveys specified in [Link].4. The
intermediate survey should be such as to ensure that the safety
equipment and other equipment, and associated pump and
piping systems fully comply with the applicable provisions of the
Code and are in good working order. Such intermediate surveys
should be endorsed on the Certificate issued under 1.6.4
or 1.6.5.
.4 An annual survey within three months before or after each
anniversary date of the Certificate, including a general inspection
of the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and material
referred to in [Link].1 to ensure that they have been maintained
in accordance with 1.6.3 and that they remain satisfactory for the
service for which the ship is intended. Such annual surveys
should be endorsed on the Certificate issued under 1.6.4 or
1.6.5.
.5 An additional survey, either general or partial according to the
circumstances, should be made when required after an
investigation prescribed in [Link], or whenever any important
repairs or renewals are made. Such a survey should ensure that
the necessary repairs or renewals have been effectively made,
that the material and workmanship of such repairs or renewals

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are satisfactory; and that the ship is fit to proceed to sea without
danger to the ship or persons on board or without presenting
unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment.

1.6.3 Maintenance of conditions after survey

[Link] The condition of the ship and its equipment should be maintained to
conform with the provisions of the Code to ensure that the ship will remain fit
to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or persons on board or without
presenting unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment.

[Link] After any survey of the ship under 1.6.2 has been completed, no
change should be made in the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements
and material covered by the survey, without the sanction of the Administra-
tion, except by direct replacement.

[Link] Whenever an accident occurs to a ship or a defect is discovered,

either of which affects the safety of the ship or the efficiency or completeness
of its life-saving appliances or other equipment covered by the Code, the
master or owner of the ship should report at the earliest opportunity to the
Administration, the nominated surveyor or recognized organization respon-
sible for issuing the Certificate, who should cause investigations to be initiated
to determine whether a survey, as required by [Link].5, is necessary. If the
ship is in a port of another Contracting Government, the master or owner
should also report immediately to the appropriate authorities of the port State
and the nominated surveyor or recognized organization should ascertain that
such a report has been made.

1.6.4 Issue or endorsement of Certificate of Fitness

[Link] A certificate called a Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of
Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, should be issued after an initial or renewal
survey to a chemical tanker engaged in international voyages which complies
with the relevant provisions of the Code.

[Link] The Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in

Bulk should be drawn up in the form corresponding to the model given in the
appendix. If the language is neither English nor French, the text should include
the translation into one of these languages.

[Link] The Certificate issued under provisions of this section should be

available on board for examination at all times.

[Link] Notwithstanding any other provisions of the amendments to this Code

adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) by

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resolution MEPC.41(29) and the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) by resolu-

tion MSC.7(58), any Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous
Chemicals in Bulk, which is current when these amendments enter into force,
should remain valid until it expires under the terms of this Code prior to the
amendments entering into force.

1.6.5 Issue or endorsement of Certificate of Fitness by another Government

[Link] A Party to MARPOL 73/78 may, at the request of another Party, cause
a ship entitled to fly the flag of the other State to be surveyed and, if satisfied
that the provisions of the Code are complied with, issue or authorize the issue
of the Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk to
the ship, and, where appropriate, endorse or authorize the endorsement of the
Certificate on board the ship in accordance with the Code. Any Certificate so
issued should contain a statement to the effect that it has been issued at the
request of the Government of the State whose flag the ship is entitled to fly.

1.6.6 Duration and validity of Certificate of Fitness

[Link] A Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in
Bulk should be issued for a period specified by the Administration which
should not exceed five years.

[Link].1 Notwithstanding the provisions of [Link], when the renewal survey

is completed within three months before the expiry date of the existing
Certificate, the new Certificate should be valid from the date of completion of
the renewal survey to a date not exceeding five years from the date of expiry
of the existing Certificate.

[Link].2 When the renewal survey is completed after the expiry date of the
existing Certificate, the new Certificate should be valid from the date of
completion of the renewal survey to a date not exceeding five years from the
date of expiry of the existing Certificate.

[Link].3 When the renewal survey is completed more than three months
before the expiry date of the existing Certificate, the new Certificate should be
valid from the date of completion of the renewal survey to a date not
exceeding five years from the date of completion of the renewal survey.

[Link] If a Certificate is issued for a period of less than five years, the
Administration may extend the validity of the Certificate beyond the expiry
date to the maximum period specified in [Link], provided that the surveys
referred to in [Link].3 and [Link].4 applicable when a Certificate is issued
for a period of five years are carried out as appropriate.

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[Link] If a renewal survey has been completed and a new Certificate

cannot be issued or placed on board the ship before the expiry date of the
existing Certificate, the person or organization authorized by the Adminis-
tration may endorse the existing Certificate and such a Certificate should be
accepted as valid for a further period which should not exceed five months
from the expiry date.

[Link] If a ship at the time when a Certificate expires is not in a port in which
it is to be surveyed, the Administration may extend the period of validity of the
Certificate but this extension should be granted only for the purpose of
allowing the ship to complete its voyage to the port in which it is to be
surveyed, and then only in cases where it appears proper and reasonable to
do so. No Certificate should be extended for a period longer than three
months, and a ship to which an extension is granted should not, on its arrival
in the port in which it is to be surveyed, be entitled by virtue of such extension
to leave that port without having a new Certificate. When the renewal survey
is completed, the new Certificate should be valid to a date not exceeding five
years from the date of expiry of the existing Certificate before the extension
was granted.

[Link] A Certificate issued to a ship engaged on short voyages which has not
been extended under the foregoing provisions of this section may be
extended by the Administration for a period of grace of up to one month from
the date of expiry stated on it. When the renewal survey is completed, the
new Certificate should be valid to a date not exceeding five years from the
date of expiry of the existing Certificate before the extension was granted.

[Link] In special circumstances, as determined by the Administration, a new

Certificate need not be dated from the date of expiry of the existing Certificate
as required by [Link].2, [Link] or [Link]. In these special circumstances, the
new Certificate should be valid to a date not exceeding five years from the
date of completion of the renewal survey.

[Link] If an annual or intermediate survey is completed before the period

specified in 1.6.2, then:
.1 the anniversary date shown on the Certificate should be
amended by endorsement to a date which should not be more
than three months later than the date on which the survey was
completed;
.2 the subsequent annual or intermediate survey required by 1.6.2
should be completed at the intervals prescribed by that section
using the new anniversary date;

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.3 the expiry date may remain unchanged provided one or more

annual or intermediate surveys, as appropriate, are carried out so
that the maximum intervals between the surveys prescribed
by 1.6.2 are not exceeded.

[Link] A Certificate issued under 1.6.4 or 1.6.5 should cease to be valid in

any of the following cases:
.1 if the relevant surveys are not completed within the periods
specified under 1.6.2;
.2 if the Certificate is not endorsed in accordance with [Link].3
or [Link].4;
.3 upon transfer of the ship to the flag of another State. A new
Certificate should only be issued when the Government issuing
the new Certificate is fully satisfied that the ship is in compliance
with the requirements of [Link] and [Link]. In the case of a
transfer between Parties, if requested within three months after
the transfer has taken place, the Government of the Party whose
flag the ship was formerly entitled to fly should, as soon as
possible, transmit to the Administration copies of the Certificate
carried by the ship before the transfer and, if available, copies of
the relevant survey reports.

1.7 Effective date

1.7.1 The effective date of the Code is 12 April 1972 (six months after the
Code was adopted by the IMO Assembly by resolution A.212(VII)).

1.7.2 The Code is applicable to vessels whose keel was laid or which were
at a similar stage of construction or to vessels whose conversion was begun
on or after the effective date. This conversion provision does not apply to the
modification of a ship referred to in regulation 1(17) of Annex II of
MARPOL 73/78.

1.7.3 The Code should also be applicable to existing ships carrying cargoes
covered by the Code. Existing ships should comply with the provisions of the
Code for the cargoes to be carried, except as follows:
(a) Tanks for cargoes required to be carried in type 1 ships should
comply with 2.2.4(a)(iii); however, small departures from the
distances specified in 2.2.2(a)(ii) and 2.2.2(b)(iii) may be
accepted by the Administration.

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(b) Tanks for cargoes required to be carried in type 2 ships should be

located outside the extent of minor side damage specified in
2.2.2(c), subject to such minor relaxation as may be acceptable
by the Administration.
(c) Compliance with 2.2.4(b)(ii) and 2.2.4(c) would not be required.
(d) Compliance with the intent of 2.2.4(b)(iii) would be expected but
relaxations from the required side and bottom distances may be
allowed provided that cargo tanks on existing type 2 ships are
located at least 760 mm above the bottom shell.
(e) When an existing chemical tanker is converted from a type 3 ship
to a type 2 ship the full requirement of 2.2.4 should be met
except that the ability to survive damage in the machinery space
should be determined by the Administration.
(f) Full compliance with 2.7.1 would not be expected.

1.8 New products

Where it is proposed to carry in bulk dangerous liquid chemicals and noxious
liquid substances of category X, Y or Z, any of which may be considered to
come within the scope of the Code but are not at present designated in the
summary of minimum requirements in chapter VI, the Administrations
involved in such carriage should establish suitable conditions of carriage
based on the principles of the Code and notify such conditions to the
Organization. Criteria for assigning carriage requirements for products subject
to the IBC Code should provide guidance. During the periodical review of the
Code these submissions will be considered for inclusion.

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