According to the SOLAS regulation XII/14, 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, if not meeting the requirements for withstanding flooding of any one cargo hold as specified in regulation 5.1Note1 and side structures in single side skin bulk carriers as specified in IACS UR S12 (Rev. 2.1) or UR S31Note2, shall not sail with any hold loaded to less than 10% of the hold's maximum allowable cargo weight when in the full load condition (corresponding to a load equal to or greater than 90% of the ship's deadweight at the relevant assigned freeboard) after 1 July 2006 or the date on which the ship reaches 10 years of age, whichever occurs later. As already advised in ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0632, the restrictions under regulation XII/14 should have been annotated in the onboard loading manual of the relevant ships at the time of periodical class survey, after 1 July 2005.

In addition, ships to which the above restrictions apply must be permanently marked on the side shell at midships, port and starboard, with a solid equilateral triangle as required by the revised SOLAS, regulation XII/8 as shown on the next page. A confirmation Survey of the triangular mark will be carried out at the first statutory survey for "CARGO SHIP SAFETY CONSTRUCTION CERTIFICATE" after compliance becomes required.

Note 1: Regulation XII/5.1 (Structural strength to withstand flooding of any one cargo hold)
This regulation must be applied to bulk carriers which are contracted for construction on and after 1 July 1998. The Society may waive this regulation for bulk carriers which were contracted for construction before 1 July 1998 on condition of meeting the above restrictions.

Note 2: IACS UR S12 (Rev. 2.1) / UR S31 (Side structures in single side skin bulk carriers)
UR S12(Rev.2.1) is applied to bulk carriers which are contracted for construction on and after 1 July 1998. UR S31 is applied to bulk carriers which were contracted for construction before 1 July 1998.
(To be continued)