BLU CODE Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers INCLUDING BLU MANUAL 2011 EDITION London, 2011 IA266E.indd 15/12/2011 2:16:37 PM iiiiii Contents Foreword ............................................. v BLU Code – Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers Resolution A.862(20) Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers .................................... 3 Introduction ........................................... 5 Section 1 De?nitions ................................. 6 Section 2 Suitability of ships and terminals ................. 7 Section 3 Procedures between ship and shore prior to the ship’s arrival ....................... 10 Section 4 Procedures between the ship and the terminal prior to cargo handling ........................ 14 Section 5 Cargo loading and handling of ballast ............. 18 Section 6 Unloading cargo and handling of ballast ........... 19 Appendix 1 Recommended contents of port and terminal information books .................... 22 Appendix 2 Loading or unloading plan ..................... 24 Appendix 3 Ship/Shore safety checklist for loading or unloading dry bulk cargo carriers ........................ 27 Appendix 4 Guidelines for completing the ship/shore safety checklist .............................. 30 Appendix 5 Form for cargo information for solid bulk cargoes ......................... 37 Page IA266E.indd 35/12/2011 2:16:37 PM BLU Code including BLU Manual iv Foreword The safety of bulk carriers is one of the most important issues that IMO has addressed in recent years and, as a result, a number of safety measures, covering both structural and operational aspects of such ships, have been recently introduced by the Organization. The Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code) is one such measure. Being concerned about the continued loss of ships carrying solid bulk cargoes, sometimes without a trace, and the heavy loss of life incurred, and recognizing that a number of accidents have occurred as a result of improper loading and unloading of bulk carriers, the Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC) at its ?rst session (February 1996) developed a draft code of practice for the safe loading and unloading of bulk carriers, with the aim of preventing such accidents. The Code was reviewed by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) at its sixty- sixth session (June 1996) and by the DSC at its second session (February 1997), and was subsequently approved by the MSC at its sixty-eighth session (June 1997); ?nally, it was adopted by the Assembly at its twentieth session (November 1997) by resolution A.862(20). In adopting the resolution, the Assembly urged Governments to implement the BLU Code at the earliest possible opportunity, and to inform IMO of any non-compliance. It further urged Governments in whose territories solid bulk cargo loading and unloading terminals are situated to introduce port by-laws as follows: –terminal operators are required to comply with the relevant IMO codes and recommendations on ship/port co-operation; –terminal operators are required to appoint a “terminal represent ative” as stipulated in section 1.6 of the annex to resolution A.797(19); –the master is responsible at all times for the safe loading and unloading of the ship, the details of which should be con?rmed with the terminal operator in the form of an agreed loading or unloading plan; BLU Manual MSC/Circ.1160 Manual on loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes for terminal representatives ........................... 41 Foreword ............................................. 43 Introduction ........................................... 45 Section 1 De?nitions ................................. 47 Section 2 Suitability of ships and terminals ................. 49 Section 3 Procedures between ship and shore prior to ship’s arrival .......................... 57 Section 4 Procedures between the ship and the terminal, prior to cargo loading/unloading ................ 65 Section 5 Cargo loading and handling of ballast ............. 73 Section 6 Unloading cargo and handling of ballast ........... 77 Annex 1 Pre-arrival ship/shore exchange of information ...... 85 Annex 2 Avoidance of damage during cargo handling ....... 89 Annex 3 Repair of damage incurred during loading and unloading .............................. 95 Annex 4 Training of terminal personnel involved in loading and/or unloading bulk carriers .................. 97 Annex 5 Hazards ................................... 99 Annex 6 Emergency procedures ........................ 103 MSC.1/Circ.1357 Additional considerations for the safe loading of bulk carriers ..................................... 104 Page IA266E.indd 45/12/2011 2:16:37 PM BLU Code Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers IA266E.indd 15/12/2011 2:16:37 PM