BLU Code and BLU Manual

The Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code) was developed with the aim of preventing accidents or loss of ships carrying solid bulk cargoes as a result of improper loading and unloading practices.  The Code was adopted by the Assembly in November 1997 by resolution A.862(20).

The BLU Code provides guidance to ship masters of bulk carriers, terminal operators and other parties concerned for the safe handling, loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes and is linked to regulation VI/7 (Loading, unloading and stowage of bulk cargoes) of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended by resolution MSC.47(66).  Further amendments to the BLU Code were adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee by resolutions MSC.238(82) and MSC.304(87).

The provisions of the Code should be applied with due regard to the provisions of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code), where applicable.

The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eightieth session (May 2005), approved the Manual on loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes for terminal representatives (BLU Manual) and agreed that the application of the guidance contained therein would address the concerns on risk control options and urged Member Governments, shipowners, ship operators and terminals to apply the guidance contained therein.  Amendments to the BLU Manual were approved by the Maritime Safety Committee at its eighty-seventh session, which can be found in MSC.1/Circ.1356.

For further information about the BLU Code and BLU Manual, please send an email to ccc@imo.org.