MSC 85/26/Add.2 ANNEX 3 RESOLUTION MSC.268(85) - US Coast ...

MSC 85/26/Add.2ANNEX 3Page 4on the procedures to be adopted when the shipment of solid bulk cargoes is contemplated.The requirements for the transport of grain are covered by the International Code for the SafeCarriage of Grain in Bulk (International Grain Code, 1991).The IMSBC Code that was adopted by resolution MSC.268(85) was recommended toGovernments for adoption or for use as the basis for national regulations in pursuance of theirobligations under regulation of the SOLAS Convention, as amended. The Code is mandatoryunder the provision of the SOLAS Convention from 1 January 2011. However, some parts of theCode continue to be recommendatory or informative. It needs to be emphasized that, in thecontext of the language of the Code: the words “shall”, “should” and “may”, when used in theCode, mean that the relevant provisions are “mandatory”, “recommendatory” and “optional”,respectively. Observance of the Code harmonizes the practices and procedures to be followedand the appropriate precautions to be taken in the loading, trimming, carriage and discharge ofsolid bulk cargoes when transported by sea, ensuring compliance with the mandatory provisionsof the SOLAS Convention.The Code has undergone many changes, both in layout and content, in order to keep pace withthe expansion and progress of industry. The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) is authorized bythe Organization’s Assembly to adopt amendments to the Code, thus enabling the IMO torespond promptly to developments in transport.The MSC, at its eighty-fifth session, agreed that, in order to facilitate the safe transport of solidbulk cargoes, the provisions of the Code may be applied as from 1 January 2009 on a voluntarybasis, pending their official entry into force on 1 January 2011 without any transitional period.This is described in resolution MSC.268(85).I:\MSC\85\26-Add-2.doc