Circular Letter
MSC/Circ.1178

UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS OF SOLAS REGULATIONS XII/4.2 AND XII/5.2

(25 May 2005)

 

1. The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eightieth session (11 to 20 May 2005), with a view to providing more specific guidance on vague language contained in IMO instruments which is open to different interpretations, approved the unified interpretations of SOLAS regulations XII/4.2 and XII/5.2, as set out in the annex.

 

2. Member Governments are invited to use the annexed unified interpretations as guidance when applying relevant provisions of SOLAS chapter XII to bulk carrier construction, for ships constructed on or after 1 July 2006, and to bring the unified interpretations to the attention of all parties concerned.

 

Annex.

 UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS OF SOLAS REGULATIONS XII/4.2 AND XII/5.2

 

Regulation XII/4.2 – Damage stability requirements applicable to bulk carriers

 

Only cargo holds the double side-skin space of which does not meet the specified dimension need to be considered flooded.

 

Regulation XII/5.2 – Structural strength of bulk carriers

 

Only cargo holds the double side-skin space of which does not meet the specified dimension need to be considered flooded.