In relation to the Technical Information No.TEC-0632 dated 27 June 2005, the revised SOLAS, Chapter XII/Reg. 14, instructed the restrictions on sailing with any cargo holds empty for Bulk Carriers of 150m in freeboard length (Lf) and upward of single-side skin construction, carrying cargoes having a density of 1.78t/m3 and above, and the Regulation comes into effect on the 1 July 2006.
In view of the situation, we would like to call your best attention that the concerned Class Notations (partial) or Descriptive Notes for Classification Character shown below (underlined part) are to be deleted just on the specified dates viz.
a) 1 July 2006 applicable for ships falling under 10 years of age or more as of 1 July 2006
b) The date on which the ship reaches 10 years of age is applicable for ships falling under less than 10 years of age as of 1 July 2006;

Class Notations;
1. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 1 & 3 Holds may be empty)
2. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 1 & 4 Holds may be empty)
3. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 1, 4 & 6 Holds may be empty)
4. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 2 & 4 Holds may be empty)
5. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 2 & 4 or 1, 3 & 5 Holds may be empty)
6. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 2 & 4 Holds or No.3 Holds may be empty)
7. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 2, 4 & 6 Holds may be empty)
8. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 2, 4 & 7 Holds may be empty)
9. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 2, 4, 6 & 8 Holds may be empty)
10. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10 Holds may be empty)
11. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 2, 4, & 6 or 1, 3, 5 & 7 Holds may be empty)
12. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 2 & 5 Holds may be empty)
13. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 2, 5 or 4 Holds may be empty)
14. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, Nos. 2, 5 & 7 Holds may be empty, Equipped for Carriage of Containers)
15. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, No. 3 Hold may be empty)
16. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, No. 3 or 4 Holds may be empty)
17. (Bulk Carrier, Strengthened for Heavy Cargoes, No. 4 Hold may be empty)
(To be continued)