What did you miss at the first meeting of the BIMCO Dry Bulk Cargo Net...

What did you miss at the first meeting of the BIMCO Dry Bulk Cargo Network?

Published: 07 February 2024

The BIMCO Dry Bulk Cargo Network held its first meeting, where members took the opportunity to network, share and get clarification about shipper’s cargo information and declaration under the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code.

With over 110 owner members signed up already, the first meeting of the new network held on 6 January was a resounding success.

The meeting’s focus was the “Shipper’s Cargo Information and Declaration, IMSBC Code”, chosen from a range of topics sent in by members.

The members had a lively discussion covering:

Difficulties with obtaining sufficient and proper cargo documentation from shippers

Issues faced and information shared relating to cargoes that are not listed as per 1.3 of the IMSBC Code

Problems contacting competent authorities at the ports of loading/discharge and the use of the IMO Integrated Shipping Information System popularly known as GISIS to contact competent authorities

Problems encountered with gaining access to stockpiles, testing and certification of Group A cargoes

Experiences with Port State Control’s growing focus on documentation compliance for IMSBC Code cargoes

Report on sinking of cargo vessel Bjugnfjord relating to soil being transported as a solid bulk cargo that liquefied (not listed in the IMSBC Code) and recommendations put forward by the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority to the Norwegian Maritime Authority.

We would like to thank Martin Kondrup from Lauritzen Bulkers for chairing the first meeting. Without his presence and extensive bag of experience, we would not have been able to facilitate the meeting any better. We are truly grateful and appreciative of him for accepting to be our chair.

The 2nd meeting will be held on Thursday 16 May at 08.00-09.30 UTC and will focus on the following topics, based on a result of a poll of participants in the first meeting.

Bulk Cargo Shipping Name (BCSN) Proper Shipping Name (PSN)

Dangerous goods and non-dangerous goods in solid form in bulk

Loading of UN 3077 cargoes. Documentation required as most flags have different views.

The BIMCO Dry Bulk Cargo Network is a network solely created to allow working professionals involved in the shipment of dry bulk cargoes the opportunity to learn from each other. Meetings are thus neither recorded nor minuted, and operate under the Chatham House Rule*.

To enable the network to work progressively, it will be driven by the needs of its members. We hope that members will attend the meetings regularly, because the more they can get to know each other, the more comfortable they will be sharing knowledge and having friendly discussions in the network. In turn, this will assist their business operations with sea transport of solid bulk cargoes.

For more information about this network and how you can join, please contact Henriette Dybkær HDY@bimco.org .

*When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.

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