Regulations on the safe loading and unloading of bulk carriers


Date FOR-2003-08-29-1114


Affairs Ministry


Published in 2003 Booklet 13 (Appendix)


Commencement 01/03/2004

Edited

FOR-2015-12-21-1802 from 01/01/2016

Changes


For
Norway

Legal

LOV-2007-02-16-9-§2, LAW-2007-02-16-9-§9, LAW-2007-02-16-9-§11, LAW-2007-02-16- 9 §12 LOV-2007-02-16-9-L-19, TO-2007-02-16-171, TO-2007-05-31-590, LOV-2009-04-17-19-§22 , LOV-2009-04-17-19-L-40

Promulgated
09.09.2003


Corrected 05.02.2016 (§ 7 letter b)

Short Title
Regulations on loading and unloading of bulk carriers

Chapter Overview:

Main part
Appendix 1. Requirements regarding bulk ship operational fitness for loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes (cfr. § 4)
Appendix 2. Requirements regarding terminal suitability for loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes (cfr. § 5 letter a)
Appendix 3. mASTER duties before and during loading or unloading (cfr. § 7 letter d)
Appendix 4. information which terminal should provide the master (cfr. § 8 a)
Appendix 5 . Terminal Representative duties before and during loading or unloading operations (cfr. § 8 paragraph d)

Adopted by the Coastal Administration and the Norwegian Maritime Directorate on August 29, 2003 pursuant to Law 8 June 1984 No.. 51 on ports and waterways etc. § 8 first paragraph and law 9 June 1903 No.. 7 relating to Public Control of the Seaworthiness of Ships, etc. When terms of seaworthiness Act pursuant amended law of 16 February 2007 no. 9 on maritime safety (the Maritime safety Act) § 2, § 9, § 11, § 12 and § 19; see. delegated decision of 16 February 2007 no. 171 and delegation decisions May 31 2007 no. 590.
Added basis: Act on 17 april 2009 No.. 19 on ports and waterways (Harbour Act) § 22 and § 40
EEA information: EEA Annex XIII. 56k (Directive 2001/96 / EC).
Changes: Amended by regulations 29 June 2007 no. 1006, 21 Dec 2015 No.. 1802.
Corrections: 05/03/2010 (authority), 02/05/2016 (§ 7 letter b).

§ 1. Purpose purpose of this regulation is to strengthen the safety of bulk carriers calling at terminals in Norway to load or unload solid bulk cargoes, by reducing the risk of unwanted stress and physical damage to the ship's structure during loading or unloading. The regulation stipulates therefore harmonized suitability criteria for these ships and terminals, and harmonized procedures for cooperation and communication between those ships and terminals.

§ 2. Scope
(1) This regulation applies to:

A)
All bulk carriers, irrespective of flag, calling at a terminal in Norway for loading or unloading of solid bulk cargoes,

B)
all terminals in Norway visited by bulk carriers covered by the scope of these regulations.

(2) Notwithstanding regulation VI / 7 in the SOLAS Convention, getting this regulation does not apply to:

A)
Construction that only under exceptional circumstances be used for loading or unloading of dry cargo in bulk into or out of bulkers

B)
cases where the loading or unloading is carried out only with the equipment on board the relevant bulk vessel.

§ 3. Definitions In this regulation means:

A)

Recognized classification society means classification societies with which the Ministry has entered into an agreement pursuant to the Maritime Safety Act § 41:

1.
The Norwegian Veritas (DNV)

2.
Lloyd's Register of Shipping (LRS)

3.
Bureau Veritas (BV)

4.
Germanischer Lloyd (GL)

5.
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

B)

BLU Code: The practical rules for the safe loading and unloading of bulk carriers, set out in the Annex to IMO Resolution A.862 (20) of 27 November 1997, as it applies as of 4 December 2001,

C)

Bulk carriers: Bulk carrier under Rule IX / 1.6 of the SOLAS Convention and interpreted by Resolution 6 of the SOLAS Conference of 1997, ie .:

-
A ship constructed with one deck, top tanks and hopper tanks in cargo holds, and which is intended primarily to carry dry cargo in bulk or

-
An ore ships, i.e. a seagoing vessel with a deck and with two longitudinal bulkheads and double bottom of the loading area and which is intended to carry the ore loadable in the central space, or

-
A combination carriers under regulation II-2 / 3.27 of SOLAS Convention,

D)

Statement fixed bulklasters density: The information on cargo density to be given under regulation XII / 10 of the SOLAS Convention 1974

E)

Flag State Authority: The competent authorities of the State whose flag the bulk carrier is entitled to fly,

F)

Approved organization: one in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 94/57 / EC,

G)

International conventions: Conventions under Article 2 paragraph 1 of Directive 95/21 / EC as amended,

H)


Korn: Korn under Regulation VI / 8.2 of the SOLAS Convention,

I)

Download Information: The cargo information required by Regulation VI / 2 of the SOLAS Convention,

J)

The loading or unloading plan: A plan referred to in Regulation VI / 7.3 of the SOLAS Convention and having the format as contained in Appendix 2 of the BLU Code,

K)

Safety Checklist for ships / country: The checklist mentioned in section 4 of the BLU Code and having the format as contained in Appendix 3 of the BLU Code,

L)

Master: The person who has command over a bulk carrier or a ship's officer who master has designated loading or unloading operations,

M)

SOLAS Convention (SOLAS), the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended,

N)

Terminal: Any solid, liquid or portable facility equipped and used for loading or unloading of dry cargo in bulk into or out of bulkers

O)

Terminal Operator: The owner of a terminal, or any organization or person as the owner has transferred the responsibility for loading or unloading operations conducted at the terminal for a particular bulk carrier,

P)

Terminal Representative: A person appointed by the terminal operator, who has the overall responsibility for the preparation, implementation and completion of loading or unloading operations conducted by the terminal for a particular bulk carrier, and authority to control operations

Q)

Dry cargo in bulk or solid bulk cargo: Solid bulk cargo under Rule XII / 1.4 of the SOLAS Convention, excluding grain.

§ 4. Requirements regarding bulk ship operational suitability for loading and unloading terminal operator shall, by checking whether the provisions of Annex 1 is met, ensure that bulk carriers carrying out loading or unloading of solid bulk cargoes at the terminal is operationally suitable.

§ 5. Requirements regarding the suitability terminal Terminal operator shall ensure that the following requirements for terminals person responsible for under these Regulations:

A)
terminal complies with the provisions of Annex 2,

B)
the designated terminal representative (s)

C)
it is prepared information booklets with the terminal's own demands and requirements from public authorities, including the Norwegian Coastal Administration and the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, as well as information on the port and terminal as listed in Appendix 1. 1.2 of the BLU Code, and these booklets done available to operators of bulk carriers calling at the terminal for loading or unloading of solid bulk cargoes, and

D)
a quality management system is developed, implemented and maintained. Such quality management system shall be certified in accordance with ISO 9001: 2000 or equivalent standards covering at least all aspects of ISO 9001: 2000, and it shall be audited in accordance with the guidelines of ISO 10011: 1991 or equivalent standard that covers all aspects of ISO 10011: 1991. Directive 98/34 / EC should be respected when it comes to those standards. Quality management system should be created within three years after this Regulation enters into force. Quality management system shall be certified within four years after this Regulation enters into force.

§ 6. Temporary permission for newly established terminals Coastal Directorate may grant exemptions for newly established terminals from the requirements of § 5, letter d, and issue a temporary operating permit valid for not more than 12 months. The terminal must however demonstrate that it intends to implement a quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001: 2000 or an equivalent standard as set out in § 5 subparagraph d.

§ 7. MASTER responsibilities following tasks incumbent master's responsibility:

A)
master shall at all times be responsible for the safe loading and unloading of the bulk carrier he has command,

B)
master shall notify calls in accordance with the Regulations of 21 December 2015 No.. 1790 on vessel notification obligations under the Harbour Act,

C)
before a solid bulk cargo is loaded, the master shall ensure that he has received the information about the load required by Regulation VI / 2.2 of the SOLAS Convention, and if necessary, a declaration of the said fixed bulklastens density. This information shall be found on the cargo declaration form as it is rendered a model in Appendix 5 of the BLU Code,

D)
before the start of and during loading or unloading the master shall discharge the duties listed in Annex 3.

§ 8. Terminal Representative responsibilities following tasks incumbent terminal representative's responsibility:

A)
upon receipt of the ship's first notification of its estimated time of arrival, the terminal representative shall provide the master with the information mentioned in Annex 4,

B)

Terminal representative shall ensure that the master has been advised as early as possible about the information contained on the cargo declaration form

C)
terminal representative shall without delay notify the master and NMD about apparent deficiencies he has noted on board a bulk carrier, which could threaten the safety of loading or unloading of solid bulk cargoes,

D)
before the start of and during loading or unloading, the terminal representative shall discharge the duties listed in Annex 5.

§ 9. Procedures between bulk carriers and terminals
(1) Loading and unloading plan shall be prepared in accordance with SOLAS Chapter VI, Part B shall be in accordance with Appendix 2 of the BLU Code, and shall contain the IMO number of the bulk carrier. The plan must be signed by the master and terminal representative.

(2) Any amendment of the plan which according to either party may affect the vessel or the crew's safety, to be agreed by both parties in the form of a revised plan.

(3) The agreed loading or unloading plan and any subsequent agreed revisions of this should be kept on the ship and the terminal for a period of six months to allow for monitoring.

(4) Before loading or unloading is commenced, should the common safety checklist for shipping and land filled out and signed by the master and terminal representative jointly, in accordance with the guidelines of Appendix 4 of the BLU Code.

(5) Effective communication between the ship and the terminal shall be established and constantly maintained to make it possible to answer requests for information on the loading or unloading process and to ensure prompt reaction if the master or terminal representative orders them to stop loading or unloading operations.

(6) The master and the terminal representative shall conduct the loading or unloading operations in accordance with the agreed schedule. The terminal representative shall be responsible for the loading or unloading of the solid bulk cargo with regard to cargo meant order and loading or unloading rate and lifting speed specified in the plan. He shall not deviate from the agreed loading or unloading plan without prior consultation with and written consent of the master.

(7) When loading or unloading has been completed, the master and the terminal representative in writing declaring that the loading or unloading is carried out in accordance with the loading or unloading plan, including any agreed changes. When it comes to unloading, this written statement be accompanied by a document certifying that the cargo holds have been emptied and cleaned to the master's requirements and identify any damage suffered by the ship and any repairs carried out.

(8) In cases where NMD be informed of disagreement between the master and the terminal representative regarding the application of the procedures set out above, the NMD shall intervene where this is required for reasons of safety or the marine environment.

§ 10. Damage arising from loading or unloading
(1) In the event of damage to the ship's structure or equipment during loading or unloading, the damage reported promptly by the terminal representative to the master and if necessary repaired.

(2) If the damage could impair the hull structure or waterproofing or ship's essential engineering systems, the master shall notify in accordance with the following:

A)
Norwegian ships: NMD or a recognized classification society.

B)
Foreign vessels: Flag State authority or an organization approved by it and acting on its behalf and NMD.

(3) The decision as to whether it is necessary with immediate repair or whether it may be exposed, to be decided by the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, having regard to any statements from the flag State or organization approved by it and acting on its behalf, as well as the master. If deemed necessary urgent repair, it shall be carried to the master and the competent authority's satisfaction before the ship leaves port.

(4) With regard to the decision referred to in the third paragraph, the Administration may allow a recognized classification society inspect the damage and advise on the need to make repairs or whether it can be postponed.

§ 11. Suspension of Operations Administration may, notwithstanding the master's rights and obligations as specified in SOLAS regulation VI / 7.7, prevent or halt loading or unloading of solid bulk cargoes when it has clear indications that ship or crew safety could jeopardized by such operations.

§ 12. Penalties Contravention of the provisions of these regulations issued pursuant to the law of 8 June 1984 no. 51 on ports and waterways, etc., punished under § 28 subsection d.


§ 13. Entry into force This regulation comes into force on 1 March 2004.

Appendix 1. Requirements regarding bulk ship operational fitness for loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes (cfr. § 4)

Bulk carriers calling at terminals in Norway to load or unload solid bulk cargoes, the terminal operator control for the following requirements are met:

1)
they shall be provided with cargo holds and hatch openings of sufficient size and with such a structure that the solid bulk cargo to be loaded, stowed, trimmed and unloaded satisfactorily,

2)
they must be equipped with the identification numbers for cargo hatches used in the loading or unloading plan. Identification numbers for cargo and cargo doors must be clearly marked. NUMBERS location will make it easy for the terminal's cargo-handling operators to identify the cargo holds. Identification numbers should also be used in load schedule,

3)
cargo hatches, opening systems for doors and safety devices should be in good working order and used only for the purposes they are designed,

4)
beacon of bias shall, if they exist, tested prior to loading or unloading and shall be demonstrated to be in order,

5)
if it is required to have an approved loading gauge on board shall this instrument to be certified and able to perform load calculations during loading or unloading,

6)
propulsion and auxiliary machinery shall be in good working condition,

7)
deck equipment used in connection with mooring and anchoring operations should be operational and in good condition.

Appendix 2. Requirements regarding terminal suitability for loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes (cfr. § 5 subparagraph a)

1)
The terminals will accept for loading or unloading of solid bulk cargoes, only the bulk carriers that can add to the loading or unloading facility in a safe manner, taking into consideration water depth at the berth, the ship's objectives, mooring devices, fenders safe access and possible obstructions to loading or unloading operations.

2)
The terminal loading and unloading equipment shall be properly certified and maintained in accordance with applicable rules and standards, and should be operated only by suitably qualified and possibly certified personnel.

3)
The terminal personnel should be trained and equipped according to the regulations of 10 November 1994 no. 1053 on port work.

Appendix 3. MASTER duties before and during loading or unloading (cfr. § 7 letter d)

Before and during loading or unloading operations the master shall ensure

1)
the loading or unloading of cargo and ballast operations carried out under the responsible officer's control,

2)
that the distribution of cargo and ballast water is monitored throughout the loading or unloading process to ensure that the ship's structure is not overloaded,

3)
that the ship is kept on track or, if necessary with a certain bias of operational reasons, the impact side is kept as small as possible,

4)
that the ship be securely moored, taking due account of local weather conditions and forecasts,

5)
that there are a sufficient number of officers and crew on board to adjust its moorings and for any normal situation or emergency, while taking account of the crew's needs for adequate rest periods to avoid fatigue,

6)
the terminal representative is made aware of the requirements with regard to trimming of the cargo, which shall be in accordance with the procedures of the IMO regulations for the safe transport of solid bulk cargo,

7)
the terminal representative is made aware of the requirements imposed on the ship for harmonization between ballast operations and loading or unloading rate and any deviation from the plan for discharge or intake of ballast, or on any other matters that may affect loading or unloading,

8)
that ballast water lenses at a rate that is consistent with the agreed loading plan and does not result in flooding of the quay or of adjacent craft. If it is not practicable for the ship to empty all ballast water before trimming stage in the loading process, the master agreement with the terminal representative those times when loading may need to be stopped and the duration of such failure,

9)
that it agreed with the terminal representative actions to be taken in case of rain or other weather changes if nature of the cargo would create a risk of such change in the weather,

10)
does not perform any hot work on board or near the ship while it is docked, unless this occurs with terminal representative's permission and in accordance with any requirements of the competent authority,

11)

That it passed close watch over the loading or unloading and the ship during the final stages of the loading or unloading process,

12)
that terminal representative notified immediately if the loading or unloading process has caused damage or a dangerous situation, or will be able to do it,

13)
the terminal representative shall be notified when final trimming of the ship must begin so that transport can be cleared

14)
the unloading of the port side adapted exactly after unloading of the starboard side in the same room to avoid twisting the ship's structure,

15)
that by ingesting ballast in one or more rooms into account the possibility of the discharge of flammable vapors from the rooms, and that measures are taken before hot work is permitted adjacent to or above these rooms.

Appendix 4. Information which terminal should provide the master (cfr. § 8 a)

1)
term at the berth where loading or unloading will be performed, and estimated time of arrivals and completion of loading or unloading.

2)
Load or losseutstyrets characteristics, including the terminal's nominal loading or unloading rate and the number of loading or unloading flows to be used, and the estimated time for each flush or (when discharging) the estimated time for each stage of the discharge.

3)
Characteristics of mooring or berth as the master may need to know about, including the placement of fixed and mobile obstructions, fenders, bollards and mooring arrangements.

4)
Minimum water depth alongside the berth and in innseilings- and utseilingskanalene.

5)
Density at berth.

6)
The maximum distance between the waterline and the upper side of the hatch covers or coamings, whichever is relevant to the loading or unloading operation, and maximum height above water.

7)
Events for gangways and access.

8)
information about the estimated time of arrivals and departure (ref. No. 1), and minimum water depth at the berth (ref. No. 4), shall be updated regularly and transmitted master when notified estimated time of arrival is received.

9)
Which side of the ship that lies along the quay.

10)
maximum allowable approach speed toward the dock and access to tugs, their type and bollard pull of bollards.

11)
load order for different parties, and any other restrictions if it is not possible to take the load in any order or in any room of the ship into account specific needs.

12)
All properties of the cargo to be loaded which may pose a risk if the load coming into contact with other cargo or cargo residues on board.

13)
preliminary information on planned loading or unloading operations or changes to existing plans for loading or unloading.

14)
indication whether the terminal's loading or unloading equipment is fixed or have limited mobility.

15)
Necessary mooring lines.

16)
Notification of unusual mooring arrangements.

17)
Any restrictions on ballasting or de-ballasting.

18)
maximum permissible draft.

19)
All other information regarding the terminal as the master requests.

Appendix 5. Terminal Representative duties before and during loading or unloading operations (cfr. § 8 paragraph d)

Before and during loading or unloading operations the terminal representative:

1)
provide the master names of terminal personnel or shipper's agent who will be responsible for the loading or unloading operation and that the master will have contact with, as well as methods to contact these people,

2)
take all precautions to avoid damage to the ship caused by loading or unloading equipment and inform the master if damage occurs,

3)
ensure that the ship is kept on track or, if necessary, with a bias for operational reasons, that kind since kept to a minimum,

4)
ensure that unloading of the port side adapted exactly after unloading of the starboard side in the same room to avoid twisting the ship's structure,

5)
in case of loads with high density, or when the individual grab loads are large, alert the master that there may be large local impact loads on the ship's structure until the tank top is completely covered by cargo, especially when it is allowed the load to fall freely from a great height, and take special precautions at the beginning of the loading operation in each room,

6)
ensure that there is agreement between the master and the terminal representative at all stages of the process and with regard to all aspects of the loading or unloading operations and that the master shall be notified of any change to the agreed loading rate, and the weight loaded after each flush,

7)

Keep records of the weight and distribution of cargo loaded or unloaded and ensure that the weight room does not deviate from the agreed loading or unloading plan,

8)
see that the cargo is trimmed during loading and unloading in accordance with the master's requirements

9)
ensure that the cargo volumes that are necessary to achieve draft and trim for departure, is calculated in such a way that all loads that are in the terminal's transportation emptied, and that these systems are empty when loading is finished. For this purpose the terminal representative shall notify the master of the nominal tonnage these transport systems are, and indicate whether it is necessary to clear the transport after loading,

10)
terms of unloading, give the master duly notified when it is planned to increase or decrease the number of discharge chutes, and inform the master when unloading is considered as completed from each room,

11)
ensure that no operation is hot work on board or near the ship while the ship is at berth, except with the master's permission, and in accordance with any requirements of public authorities.