Grain Code and its contents
International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (International Grain Code)
The 1991 International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (International Grain Code), has been mandatory under SOLAS chapter VI since 1 January 1994. The term “grain” covers wheat, maize (corn), oats, rye, barley, rice, pulses, seeds and processed forms thereof, whose behaviour is similar to that of grain in its natural state. The International Grain Code applies to ships regardless of size, including those of less than 500 gross tonnage, engaged in the carriage of grain in bulk and to which part C of SOLAS chapter VI applies.
The purpose of the Code is to provide an international standard for the safe carriage of grain in bulk.
The International Grain Code requires a document of authorization to be issued for every ship loaded in accordance with the Code. The document of authorization serves as evidence that the ship is capable of complying with the requirements of the Code and it must be accompanied or incorporated into the grain loading manual, which contains information that enables the master to meet the stability requirements of the Code. A copy of the document of compliance together with the grain loading stability data and associated plans must be carried on board so that the master, if required, can produce them for the inspection of the Contracting Government of the country of the port of loading.
The contents of the International Grain Code are divided as follows:
Part A – Specific Requirements
Section 1 – Application
Section 2 – Definitions
Section 3 – Document of authorization
Section 4 – Equivalents
Section 5 – Exemptions for certain voyages
Section 6 – Information regarding ship’s stability and grain loading
Section 7 – Stability – Requirements
Section 8 – Stability requirements for existing ships
Section 9 – Optional stability requirements for ships without documents of authorization carrying partial cargoes of bulk grain
Section 10 – Stowage of bulk grain
Section 11 – Strength of grain fittings
Section 12 – Divisions loaded on both sides
Section 13 – Divisions loaded on one side only
Section 14 – Saucers
Section 15 – Bundling of bulk grain
Section 16 – Overstowing arrangements
Section 17 – Strapping or lashing
Section 18 – Securing with wire mesh
Part B – Calculation of assumed heeling moments and general assumptions
Section 1 – General Assumptions
Section 2 – Assumed volumetric heeling moment of a filled compartment, trimmed
Section 3 – Assumed volumetric heeling moment of a filled compartment, untrimmed
Section 4 – Assumed volumetric heeling moments in trunks
Section 5 – Assumed volumetric heeling moment of a partly filled compartment
Section 6 – Other assumptions
Ref: IMO Website
