Answer
Rather than a generic overview, the differentiation between these codes is based on construction timelines, mandatory enforcement legalities, and specific design boundaries:
| Technical Feature | IBC Code (International Bulk Chemical Code) | BCH Code (Bulk Chemical Code) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicability & Vessel Age | Applies to chemical tankers constructed on or after 1 July 1986. | Applies to legacy chemical tankers constructed before 1 July 1986. |
| Statutory Status | Completely mandatory under both SOLAS Chapter VII (Part B) and MARPOL Annex II. | Originally a set of non-mandatory recommendations; made mandatory retroactively for older ships solely via MARPOL Annex II operational compliance. |
| Certificate Issued | International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (COF). | Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (COF - lacking the word "International"). |
| Inert Gas Systems (IGS) | Mandatory for all Type 1 and Type 2 chemical tankers carrying flammable cargoes with a flashpoint less than 60o C, irrespective of vessel size. | Historically exempt or relaxed for smaller ships unless explicitly required by individual flag state retroactive mandates. |
| Damage Stability Criteria | Imposes strict, standardized structural survivability standards across the entire length of Type 1, 2, and 3 vessels based on modern probabilistic damage concepts. | Utilizes less stringent, deterministic damage assumptions, often allowing cross-flooding arrangements that are no longer permitted on modern builds. |