BLG 4/18
ANNEX 2
DRAFT MSC/MEPC CIRCULAR
APPLICATION OF CARGO-TANK VENTING REQUIREMENTS TO COMBINED CHEMICAL/OIL TANKERS
Interpretation of paragraph 8.1.5 of the IBC Code and part E of chapter II of the BCH Code
1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventieth session (7 to 11 December 1998), noting the Marine Environment Protection Committee's concurrent decision at its forty-second session, agreed with the Sub-Committee's view that the relevant provisions for cargo-tank venting contain in chapter 8 of the IBC Code, rather than the requirements of SOLAS regulation II-2/59, should apply to combined chemical/oil tankers.
2 Having considered the view of the Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases, at its fourth session, the Maritime Safety Committee at its [seventy-first session (19 to 28 May 1999)] and the Marine Environment Protection Committee at its [forty-third session (28 June to 2 July 1999)] approved the following interpretation for paragraph 8.1.5 of the IBC Code and part E of chapter II of the BCH Code to cover the application of cargo-tank venting requirements for combined chemical/oil tankers:
"The relevant provisions for controlled tank venting systems contained in chapter 8 of the IBC Code and chapter II of the BCH Code should be applied to combined chemical/oil tankers in lieu of the requirements of SOLAS regulations II-2/59.1 and 59.2."
3 Member Governments are invited to take account the above interpretation when applying the relevant cargo-tank venting requirements of the IBC Code and the BCH Code to combined chemical/oil tankers and to note the above interpretation when submitting proposals to amend the relevant provisions of SOLAS regulation II-2/59 or chapter 8 of the IBC Code and part E of chapter II of the BCH Code with a view that the respective requirements should maintain an equivalent level of safety.
