SUB-COMMITTEE ON DANGEROUS GOODS, SOLID CARGOES AND CONTAlNERS
6th session
Agenda item 5
DSC 6/5/5
11 May 2001
Original: ENGLISH
REVIEW OF THE BC CODE, INCLUDING EVALUATION OF PROPERTIES OF SOLID BULK CARGOES
Comments on the draft new BC Code (DSC 6/5/1)
Submitted by Japan
SUMMARY
Executive summary: This document provides some comments on the draft new BC Code, DSC 6/5/l
Action to be taken: Paragraph 7
Related documents: DSC 6/5/l
Introduction
1 The draft new BC Code was developed by the Correspondence Group under the co-ordination of Australia. Japan would like to express the appreciation to all member States of the Correspondence Group, especially Australia, for their excellent work.
2 Though the comments described in the following paragraphs were made by Japan during the discussion of the Correspondence Group, we would like to emphasize them again, because these comments are related to the interpretation of the requirements for fixed systems which may lead in practice to the prohibition of the carriage of some cargoes.
Ventilation requirement for the carriage of FERROSILICON (UN No.1408 and BC No.022)
3 Since the first session of the Sub-Committee, the interpretation of the requirements for ventilation systems in chapter II-2 of the SOLAS Convention have been considered. Consequently, new paragraph 3.5 of the BC Code was developed at the fifth session of the Sub-Committee. In accordance with the new paragraph 3.5, ventilation opening should comply with the requirements of the Load Line Convention as amended for openings not fitted with means of closure when continuous ventilation is required by the entry for the cargo in the BC Code or by the cargo information provided by the shipper. It should, therefore, be noted that when continuous ventilation is required for the carriage of a cargo, the cargo cannot be carried by bulk carriers not fitted with special high ventilation duct, even when the bulk carriers comply with the other relevant requirements for the carriage of dangerous goods.
