International Maritime Organization

The purpose of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Lyquified Gases in Bulk (IGC Code 1993) is to provide an international standard for the safe carriage by sea of liquefied gases (and other substances listed in the Code) in bulk. To minimize risks to ships involved in such carriage, to their crews and to the environment, the Code prescribes the design and constructional standards of such ships and the equipment they should carry.

This edition remains valid and applies to all applicable ships constructed before 1 January 2016.

The purpose of the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-Flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), is to provide an international standard for ships using low flashpoint fuel, other than ships covered by the IGC Code. The basic philosophy of this Code is to provide mandatory provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using low flashpoint fuel to minimize the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment, having regard to the nature of the fuels involved.

The version of the book on this page contains both volumes combined. To access the volumes of the book individually, click on the “Chapters” tab and select the volume you would like to read.

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) lays out the regulatory framework for all aspects of handling dangerous goods and marine pollutants in sea transport.

The IMDG Code is divided into two volumes:

• Volume 1 containing sections on general provisions, definitions and training; classification; packing and tank provisions; consignment procedures; construction and testing of packagings, IBCs, large packagings, portable tanks, MEGCs and road tank vehicles and transport operations, and
• Volume 2 containing the Dangerous Goods List, special provisions and exceptions, Appendix A (list of generic and N.O.S. proper shipping names), Appendix B (glossary of terms) and the Index.

Since it was first published in 1965, the Code has undergone many changes, in both format and content, in order to keep up with the rapid expansion of the shipping industry.

Amendment 42-24 includes revisions to various sections of the Code and to transport requirements for specific substances. It was adopted by the International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee at its one hundred and eighth session in May 2024 and is mandatory from 1 January 2026 but may be applied by Administrations in whole or in part on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2025.

The provisions of the Code should be of interest to maritime administrations, shipping companies, manufacturers, packers, shippers, feeder services such as road and rail, and port authorities.

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) lays out the regulatory framework for all aspects of handling dangerous goods and marine pollutants in sea transport, but does not include all details of procedures for packing of dangerous goods or actions to take in the event of an emergency or accident involving personnel who handle goods at sea.

This Supplement presents the publications associated with the IMDG Code that cover these aspects of the transport of dangerous goods.

The 2024 edition of the Supplement features:

• the Revised Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods (EmS Guide), taking into account Amendment 42-24 to the IMDG Code;
• the Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG);
• the Reporting procedures;
• the Recommendations on the safe use of pesticides in ships;
• the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes on board Ships (INF Code); and
• other appropriate resolutions and circulars pertaining to the transport of dangerous goods, including Guidelines for the implementation of the inspection programmes for cargo transport units (MSC.1/Circ.1649) and the List of non-exhaustive voluntary guidance on pest contamination (MSC.1/Circ.1650).

The IMDG Code Supplement should be of interest to maritime administrations, shipping companies, manufacturers, packers, shippers, feeder services such as road and rail, and port authorities.

The present publication contains the consolidated text of the IMO Guidelines on Ship Recycling adopted by Assembly resolution A.962(23), as amended by Assembly resolution A.980(24), while also referring to the existence and relevance of the guidelines on the same subject by ILO and by the Basel Convention.

IMO’s comprehensive Liability and compensation regime has been developed by the Legal Committee since its inception in 1967. It comprises Liability and compensation for pollution incidents, wreck removal and the carriage of passengers and their luggage.

In addition, the Legal Committee developed conventions relating to protection against pollution incidents, empowering coastal States to intervene on the high seas and determining uniform international rules regarding salvage operations. These conventions are closely linked to the Liability and compensation regime and have therefore also been included in this publication. This publication has been developed to assist Member States with the effective and uniform implementation of IMO’s Liability and compensation regime. It provides a practical and comprehensive reference book for administrations, non-governmental organizations and private companies alike.

This publication provides a very useful guide to identify the various problems that will affect fisheries and aquaculture enterprises in the event of an oil spill. This will be useful to spill responders and managers with responsibilities for protecting public health and those in the fisheries sector as well as consumers concerned about the safety and quality of seafood.

At its forty-first session, the Marine environment protection Committee tasked the OPRC Working Group to develop a guidance document for fisheries management during and after an oil spill incident. Dr. Tosh Moller, Technical Team Manager of the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Ltd. (ITOPF), prepared the draft guidance document and submitted it at MEPC 42.

The objective of the Manual is to provide guidance on strategies that may be used to assess the damage and subsequent recovery of the environment resulting from marine pollution incidents. Available techniques are considered together with criteria to help judge the feasibility of such measures to bring about successful recovery of those environments.

The Manual emphasizes the importance of pre-spill planning and provides an overview of assessment techniques and restoration measure in various ecosystems. It also provides guidance on opportunities for compensation through the international oil compensation schemes. Practical examples of natural resource assessment and restoration are provided through a series of case studies.

IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) contains all relevant resolutions adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the process of the institutionalization of the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS), as well as other documents developed to support its effective implementation. It includes:

• Framework and Procedures for IMSAS
• IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code)
• 2013 non-exhaustive list of obligations under instruments relevant to the III Code
• Amendments to conventions making the use of the III Code mandatory in audits of Member States
• Other resolutions
• Auditor’s Manual for IMSAS.

The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code), adopted on 4 December 2008 by resolution MSC.268(85), entered into force on 1 January 2011, from which date it was made mandatory under the provisions of the SOLAS Convention. The present edition incorporates Amendment 07-23, which may be applied from 1 January 2024 on a voluntary basis, anticipating its envisaged official entry into force on 1 January 2025.

This publication also presents additional information that supplements the IMSBC Code, such as the Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code), BLU Manual and recommendations on the safe use of pesticides in ships applicable to the fumigation of cargo holds. The IMSBC Code and supplement is commended to Administrations, shipowners, shippers and masters and all others concerned with the standards to be applied in the safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes, excluding grain.