International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (International Grain Code)

General

 

The 1991 International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (International Grain Code), adopted by resolution MSC.23(59), has been mandatory under SOLAS chapter VI since 1 January 1994.  The term "grain" covers wheat, maize (corn), oats, rye, barley, rice, pulses, seeds and processed forms thereof, whose behaviour is similar to that of grain in its natural state.  The International Grain Code applies to ships regardless of size, including those of less than 500 gross tonnage, engaged in the carriage of grain in bulk and to which part C of SOLAS chapter VI applies.  The purpose of the Code is to provide an international standard for the safe carriage of grain in bulk.

 

Outline

 

The International Grain Code requires a document of authorization to be issued for every ship loaded in accordance with the Code.  The document of authorization serves as evidence that the ship is capable of complying with the requirements of the Code and it must be accompanied or incorporated into the grain loading manual, which contains information that enables the master to meet the stability requirements of the Code.  A copy of the document of compliance together with the grain loading stability data and associated plans must be carried on board so that the master, if required, can produce them for the inspection of the Contracting Government of the country of the port of loading.

 

The contents of the International Grain Code are divided as follows:

 

Part A - Specific Requirements

 

Section 1 - Application

Section 2 - Definitions

Section 3 - Document of authorization

Section 4 - Equivalents

Section 5 - Exemptions for certain voyages

Section 6 - Information regarding ship's stability and grain loading

Section 7 - Stability - Requirements

Section 8 - Stability requirements for existing ships

Section 9 - Optional stability requirements for ships without documents of authorization carrying partial cargoes of bulk grain

Section 10 - Stowage of bulk grain

Section 11 - Strength of grain fittings

Section 12 - Divisions loaded on both sides

Section 13 - Divisions loaded on one side only

Section 14 - Saucers

Section 15 - Bundling of bulk grain

Section 16 - Overstowing arrangements

Section 17 - Strapping or lashing

Section 18 - Securing with wire mesh

 

Part B - Calculation of assumed heeling moments and general assumptions

 

Section 1 - General Assumptions

Section 2 - Assumed volumetric heeling moment of a filled compartment, trimmed

Section 3 - Assumed volumetric heeling moment of a filled compartment, untrimmed

Section 4 - Assumed volumetric heeling moments in trunks

Section 5 - Assumed volumetric heeling moment of a partly filled compartment

Section 6 - Other assumptions