Amendments to the IBC Code (MSC340(91)/MEPC225(64)), which are applicable to chemical tankers, will enter into force from 1 June 2014. In the new amendments, a part of the contents in Chapters 17, 18 and 19 will be revised. A brief overview of each chapter and the main focus of the amendments are summarized below. In addition, a summary table of new cargoes and existing cargoes, the requirements of which have been revised, has been prepared as a reference as shown in attachment 1.

[Overview of Amended Chapters]
Chapter 17: Summary of minimum requirements for products to which the IBC Code applies
Chapter 18: List of products to which the IBC Code does not apply
Chapter 19: Comparison table of Index names and Product names to which the IBC Code applies

[Main focus]
1. New entry of some products which were assessed since the last amendments of 2009 (for Chapters 17, 18, and 19)
2. Revision of minimum requirements for some existing cargoes (for Chapter 17 only)
･ Addition of requirements for electrical equipment which had been blank (for columns i' and i")
e.g.) Alkanes (C6-C9): Blank&#8594Temperature classes (i') T3, Apparatus group (i") IIA
･ Revision of requirements other than electrical equipment (Ship Type, Special requirements, etc.)

Due to the revision of minimum requirements as mentioned above, any countermeasures such as the omission of target cargoes or changes in tank group on the certificate, or the replacement of instruments may be required for a few ships carrying them by the date of entry into force. In this regard, ClassNK is investigating these items for each ship and will individually contact owners or management companies of ships concerned for which any countermeasures is required.

On the other hand, new certificates (i.e. certificate describing new resolution number) will be issued for ships which are not required to take any countermeasures described above and sent to each owner or management company in order from the ClassNK Head Office by the middle of May in line with the effective guidelines for the issuance of the certificates.

(To be continued)