Bulk Carrier Safety - SOLAS Amendments in Force 1 July 2006

The following amendments to SOLAS affecting bulk carriers come into force on 1 July 2006: 

1. Chapter XII* - Additional safety measures for bulk carriers - has been replaced with a revised text. The amendments include: 

• new requirements for bulk carriers of double-side skin construction as an optional alternative to single-side skin construction. This will apply to new bulk carriers of 150m in length and over, designed to carry solid bulk cargoes having a density of 1,000 kg/m³ and above; 
• additional maintenance requirements; 
• and a new regulation 14 on restrictions from sailing with any hold empty. 

2. Regulation III/31* - Survival craft and rescue boats - has been amended to make mandatory the carriage of free-fall lifeboats on bulk carriers.

3. In Regulation III/32** - Personal life-saving appliances - the number of immersion suits to be carried on cargo ships has been changed and the requirement of one immersion suit per person on board all cargo ships, including bulk carriers, has been introduced. Consequential amendments to the 1988 SOLAS Protocol, relating to the records of equipment, also enter into force.

Based on information contained in IMO briefing of 30 June 2006

*Amendments adopted in December 2004

**Amendments adopted in May 2004