Regulation concerning amendments to the Regulations on dangerous goods on ships as a result of amendments to the IGC Code (MSC.411(97))

Background

The International Code of the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) is implemented in the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) Chapter VII.  IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) revises the IGC Code regularly, taking into account experience and technical development.

On 25 November 2016, by resolution MSC.411(97), the MSC adopted amendments to the ICG Code paragraph 3.2.5. The amendments involve the removal of the following sentence: «Wheelhouse windows shall be constructed to not less than «A-0» class (for external fire load)». The existing paragraph 3.2.5 is replaced with:

«3.2.5 Windows and sidescuttles facing the cargo area and on the sides of the superstructures and deckhouses within the limits specified in 3.2.4, except wheelhouse windows, shall be constructed to «A-60» class. Sidescuttles in the shell below the uppermost continuous deck and in the first tier of the superstructure or deckhouse shall be of fixed (non-opening) type.»

The reason for these amendments is that an unintended difference related to wheelhouse window fire-rating requirements was discovered, cf. SOLAS Chapter II-2 Regulation 4.5.2.3 and the IGC Code paragraph 3.2.5. The requirement of an integrity of A-0 for wheelhouse windows has proved difficult to meet, and this requirement has been removed. 

The amendments are described in more detail at IMO’s website www.imo.org.

These amendments enter into force internationally on 1 January 2020.

The IGC Code has been implemented in Norwegian legislation by special reference in the Regulations of 1 July 2014 No. 944 on dangerous goods on Norwegian ships section 5(d). The implementing provision has been amended to make it comply with the revised international legislation.

Consultation

The proposed amendments were circulated for review from 10 July to 1 November 2019. The NMA received answers from 7 consultative bodies. None of the consultative bodies had any comments to the proposed amendments to the Regulations.

Administrative and financial implications

The regulatory amendments include an update of the legislation for Norwegian ships in line with the amendments to the International IGC Code. It is assumed that those who deal with the IGC Code on a daily basis are familiar with any substantial amendments to the Code. The proposal is not expected to have any financial implications for the involved parties.

The NMA will adapt the enforcement of the legislation to the amendments of the Code. Beyond this, the proposal is not considered to have any significant administrative consequences.