Answer
When a vessel is proposed to carry a bulk liquefied gas (or covered substance) that is not currently listed in Chapter 19 (Summary of Minimum Requirements) of the IGC Code, it cannot be loaded directly. The vessel operator and governing authorities must follow the statutory Tripartite Agreement procedure laid down in IGC Code Section 1.1.6.
Step-by-Step Statutory Procedure
1. Data Submission by the Manufacturer / Shipper
- The manufacturer or shipper of the unlisted cargo must complete a comprehensive Safety & Hazards Evaluation Form (Appendix 1 of the IGC Code).
- This dossier includes full physical/chemical properties, toxicity profiles, reactivity, flammability data, material compatibility requirements, and proposed carriage conditions (e.g., minimum required ship type, tank design/materials, reliquefaction/venting needs).
- This submission is provided directly to the Flag State Administration.
2. Flag State Assessment & Draft Proposal
- The Flag State Administration reviews the chemical data, evaluates potential hazards to the ship, crew, and marine environment, and formulates provisional carriage conditions based on the core principles of the IGC Code.
- The Flag State defines the provisional parameters: required Ship Type (1G, 2G/2PG, or 3G), tank environment control (inerting/padded gas), material suitability, and emergency equipment.
3. Establishing the Tripartite Agreement
- The Flag State Administration initiates formal consultation with the Port State of Loading and the Port State of Unloading.
- All three contracting parties (Flag Administration + Port State of Loading + Port State of Unloading) evaluate and agree upon the provisional carriage conditions.
- Once express agreement (or tacit agreement within agreed timeframes) is granted by all three authorities, the Tripartite Agreement is formally established.
4. Issuance of Certificate Addendum
- Upon establishment of the Tripartite Agreement, the Flag State Administration (or its authorized Recognized Organization / Class Society) issues an Addendum to the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk.
- This Addendum lists the unlisted cargo along with its specific provisional operational and safety conditions and must be attached to the vessel’s main Certificate of Fitness prior to loading.
5. Submission to the IMO
- The Flag State Administration must formally submit the provisional assessment form and a proposal for a new, permanent entry in Chapter 19 of the IGC Code to the IMO Secretariat (specifically to the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers - CCC).
- The IMO evaluates the entry for formal adoption in future global amendments to the Code.
Onboard Operational Execution Prior to Loading
Once the Tripartite Agreement is signed and the Certificate Addendum is placed on board:
- SMS & Risk Assessment Integration: Update the vessel’s Safety Management System (SMS) with product-specific Emergency Data Sheets (MSDS), personal protective gear requirements, and decontamination procedures.
- Compatibility Check: Verify structural, pump seal, and piping material compatibility with the new cargo.
- Pre-Cargo Briefing: Conduct a pre-transfer safety meeting with officers, crew, and terminal representatives reviewing cargo properties, monitoring temperature/pressure limits, and verifying ESD (Emergency Shut Down) trips before connecting loading arms.