Chief IMO Codes

Code name
Abbreviated name
Code for Existing Ships
Carrying Liquefied Gases in
Bulk
GC Code for Existing Ships
Code for the Construction
and Equipment of Mobile
Offshore Drilling Units
MODU Code
Code for the Construction
and Equipment of Ships
Carrying Dangerous
Chemicals in Bulk
BCH Code
Code for the Construction
and Equipment of Ships
Carrying Liquefied Gases in
Bulk
GC Code
Code of Practice for the Safe
Loading and Unloading of
Bulk Carriers
BLU Code
Code of Safe Practice for
Cargo Stowage and Securing
CSS Code
Code of Safe Practice for
Ships Carrying Timber Deck
Cargoes
TDC Code

Code of Safe Practice for

Solid Bulk Cargoes
BC Code

Code of Safe Practice for the

Carriage of Cargoes and
Persons by Offshore Supply
Vessels
OSV Code

Notes
Provides international standard for safe carriage of liquefied gases in bulk by
gas carriers already in service at 31 December 1976 or which otherwise fall
outside the scope of the more extensive standards in resolution A.328(IX)
and the IGC Code.
Adopted by resolution A.649(16) to supersede 1979 MODU Code, which
was adopted by resolution A.414(XI). Applies to MODUs built since 1 May
1991.
Provides international standard for safe carriage by sea of dangerous and
noxious liquid chemicals in bulk in chemical tankers built after 1 July 1986.
Prescribes design and construction standards of chemical tankers and
equipment they should carry.
Provides international standard for safe carriage by sea in bulk of liquefied
gases and certain other substances in gas carriers built on or after 31
December 1976 but prior to 1 July 1986. Prescribes design and
constructional features of gas carriers and equipment they should carry.
Adopted by resolution A.862(20). Provides guidance to bulk carrier masters,
terminal operators and other parties concerned with dry bulk cargo
operations on the suitability of ships and terminals, procedures for the safe
loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes and model forms for loading
and unloading plans and a ship/shore safety checklist. Linked to SOLAS
regulation VI/7, as amended by resolution MSC.47(66). Non-mandatory.
Adopted by resolution A.714(17). Provides general principles to be followed
by shipowners and operators to minimise risks to ships and personnel. Offers
advice on equipment and techniques, details cargoes known to create
hazards and difficulties, and advises on actions to be taken in heavy seas and
to remedy effects of cargo shifting.
Applies to ships carrying timber deck cargoes. Aimed at preventing
casualties involving shifting and loss of timber cargoes. Adopted by
resolution A.715(17). Contains chapters as follows: 1. General; 2. Stability;
3. Stowage; 4. Securing; 5. Personnel protection and safety devices; 6.
Action to be taken during the voyage; Appendix A. Advice on stowage
practices; Appendix B. General guidelines for the underdeck stowage of
logs. Non-mandatory.
Provides guidance on standards for safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk
cargoes (excluding grain). Aims to highlight dangers associated with
shipment of certain types of bulk cargoes, listing cargoes which may liquefy
and those which possess chemical hazards, and providing advice on their
properties and handling. Includes revised test procedures for determining
various characteristics of bulk cargo materials, emergency schedules, and
safety precautions for entering enclosed spaces. Related to SOLAS chapter
VI. Non-mandatory.
Adopted by resolution A.863(20). Aims to provide, for both operator and
contractor, an international standard to avoid or reduce to a minimum the
hazards which affect OSVs in their daily operation of carrying cargoes and
persons from and between offshore installations. This standard should be
considered when implementing a safety management system within the
meaning of paragraph 1.4 of the International Safety Management (ISM)
Code. Non-mandatory.

Code of Safety for Diving

Systems
-

Code of Safety for

Dynamically Supported
Craft
DSC Code
Code of Safety for Special
Purpose Ships
SPS Code
International Code for
Application of Fire Test
Procedures
FTP Code
International Code for Fire
Safety Systems
FSS Code
International Code for the
Construction and Equipment
of Ships Carrying
Dangerous Chemicals in
Bulk
IBC Code
International Code for the
Construction and Equipment
of Ships Carrying Liquefied
Gases in Bulk
IGC Code
International Code for the
Safe Carriage of Grain in
Bulk
International Grain Code
International Code for the
Safe Carriage of Packaged
Irradiated Nuclear Fuel,
Plutonium and High-Level
Radioactive Wastes in Flasks
on board Ships
INF Code
International Code of Safety
for High-Speed Craft, 1994
and 2000
HSC Codes
International Code of
Signals
International Life-Saving
Appliance Code
LSA Code

Aims to minimise risks to ships and floating structures equipped with diving
systems and their divers and personnel, and to facilitate international
movement of these ships and floating structures in the context of diving
operations. Recommends design criteria and construction, equipment and
survey standards for diving systems. Adopted by resolution A.536(13).
Amended by resolution A.831(19)). Non-mandatory.
Adopted by resolution A.373(X)). Concerns dynamically supported craft
primarily engaged in high-speed, high-passenger-density operations.
Provides minimum safety requirements for craft carrying up to 450
passengers and operating within 100 nautical miles from a place of refuge.
Recommends design criteria, construction standards and other safety
measures for special purpose ships (such as research ships and polar supply
ships which carry special personnel). Adopted by resolution A.534(13)).
Non-mandatory.
Contains technical requirements of revised SOLAS chapter II-2 for fire test
procedures. Intended to be used by Administrations and competent
authorities of flag States when approving products for installation in ships in
accordance with requirements of SOLAS and by testing laboratories when
testing and evaluating products under the Code. Mandatory from 1 July 2002
under revised SOLAS chapter II-2.
Contains detailed technical requirements of revised SOLAS chapter II-2.
Mandatory from 1 July 2002.
Adopted by resolution MSC.4(48). Provides an international standard for the
safe carriage by sea of dangerous and noxious liquid chemicals in bulk in
chemical tankers built after 1 July 1986. Prescribes design and construction
standards of chemical tankers and the equipment they should carry, with due
regard to the nature of the products involved. Mandatory under SOLAS
chapter VII.
Adopted by resolution MSC.5(48). Applies to ships built after 1 July 1986.
Provides an international standard for safe carriage by sea of liquefied gases
(and other substances listed in the Code) in bulk. Prescribes design and
constructional standards of gas carriers and equipment they should carry.
1993 edition incorporates amendments adopted by resolution MSC.30(61).
Mandatory under SOLAS chapter VII.
Adopted by resolution MSC.23(59). Contains detailed regulations on
carriage of grain in bulk, leaving more general requirements in SOLAS
chapter VI. Mandatory under SOLAS chapter VI.
Applies to ships carrying packaged irradiated nuclear fuel, plutonium and
high-level radioactive wastes in flasks, e.g. for reprocessing. Adopted May
1999 by resolution MSC.88(71). Mandatory from 1 January 2001 under
SOLAS regulation VII/13.

1994 HSC Code developed following a revision of the Code of Safety for
Dynamically Supported Craft (DSC Code) and in recognition of growth in
size and types of high-speed craft. Adopted May 1994 by resolution
MSC.36(63); mandatory under SOLAS chapter X. 2000 HSC Code adopted
by resolution MSC.97(73) and in force 1 July 2002 for new craft.
Intended for communications between ships, aircraft and authorities ashore
during situations related essentially to the safety of navigation and persons;
especially useful when language difficulties arise. Suitable for transmission
by all means of communication. Mandatory under SOLAS chapter V.
Provides international standards for personal life-saving appliances, visual
signals, survival craft, rescue boats, launching and embarkation appliances,
line-throwing appliances and general alarms and public address systems.
Adopted June 1996. Mandatory under amendments to SOLAS chapter III.

International Maritime
Dangerous Goods Code
IMDG Code

International Safety
Management Code
ISM Code

International Ship and Port

Facility Security Code
ISPS Code

Amplifies requirements of part A of chapter VII of SOLAS 74 relating to

dangerous goods, and of Annex III of MARPOL 73/78 relating to marine
pollutants. Standard guide to all aspects of handling dangerous goods and
marine pollutants in sea transport. Lays down basic principles; detailed
recommendations for individual substances, materials and articles; and a
number of recommendations for good operational practice including advice
on terminology, packing, labelling, stowage, segregation and handling, and
emergency response action. 2000 edition, incorporating Amendment 30-00,
is in two A4 paperback volumes. Supplement contains several related texts
including a revised Medical First Aid Guide and mandatory INF Code.
Originally recommended to Governments for adoption or for use as basis for
national regulations to give effect to SOLAS 1974 and MARPOL 73/78.
Becoming mostly mandatory under SOLAS amendments with effect from 1
January 2004.
Introduced under new SOLAS chapter IX in 1994 SOLAS amendments,
effective 1 July 1998, to address poor management standards in shipping.
Current form, adopted in 1993 as resolution A.741(18), evolved through
development of Guidelines on management for the safe operation of ships
and for pollution prevention, adopted 1989 as resolution A.647(16), and
revised Guidelines, adopted as resolution A.680(17). Mandatory under
SOLAS chapter IX. 2002 edition in force 1 July 2002.
Contains detailed security-related requirements for governments, port
authorities and shipping companies in a mandatory section (Part A), together
with guidelines on how to meet these requirements in a non-mandatory
section (Part B). Essentially requires security to be treated as a risk
management problem. Requirements for ships include Ship Security Plans,
Ship Security Officers, Company Security Officers, and certain on-board
equipment. Applies to all passenger ships and cargo ships of 500gt or over,
including high-speed craft, MODUs and port facilities serving such ships
engaged on international voyages. Adopted December 2002 under new
SOLAS chapter XI-2 (Special measures to enhance maritime security). In
force 1 July 2004.