Amendments to the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk

IMO Resolution MSC.552(108) adopts the amendments to the Grain Code by adding the term specially suitable compartment, partly filled in way of the hatch opening, with ends untrimmed. This refers to a specially suitable compartment which is not filled to the maximum extent possible in way of the hatch opening but is filled to a level equal with or above the bottom edge of the hatch end beams and has not been trimmed outside the periphery of the hatch opening.

The amendments add a fourth permissible loading condition 

• Specially suitable compartment, partly filled in way of the hatch opening, with ends untrimmed

to the existing three conditions of:

• Filled compartments, trimme
• Filled compartments, untrimmed
• Partly filled compartments

The new Loading Condition is applicable for specially suitable compartment and allows the ends of bulk grain outside the periphery of the hatch coaming to be not trimmed and may naturally follow the angle of repose. This untrimmed ends outside the periphery of the hatch coaming are allowed when the compartment is filled with the bulk grain to a level equal with or above the bottom edge of the hatch end beams and the grain surface in way of the hatch opening are trimmed.