The OSV Chemical Code has been developed for the design, construction and operation of offshore support vessels (OSVs) which transport hazardous and noxious liquid substances in bulk for the servicing and resupplying of offshore platforms, mobile offshore drilling units and other offshore installations, including those employed in the search for and recovery of hydrocarbons from the seabed.

The OSV Chemical Code has been developed in accordance with the requirements set forth in regulation 11.2 of Annex II to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships and and in recognition of the need for standards which provide an alternative to the International Code for the IBC Code and the IGC Code.

The OSV Chemical Code includes the below chapters: Ch.1 General,  Ch.2 Vessel survival capability and location of cargo tanks, Ch.3 Vessel design, Ch.4 Special requirements for products with a flashpoint not exceeding 60°C – toxic products and acids, Ch.5 Cargo containment, Ch.6 Cargo transfer, Ch.7 Cargo tank venting, Ch.8 Electrical Installations, Ch.9 Fire-fighting requirements, Ch.10 Mechanical ventilation in the cargo area, Ch.11 Instrumentation and automation systems, Ch.12 Pollution prevention requirements, Ch.13 Life-saving appliances and arrangements,  Ch.14 Personnel Protection, Ch.15 Operational requirements, Ch.16 Backloading of contaminated bulk, Ch.17 Discharging and loading of portable tanks onboard, Ch.18 Carriage of liquefied gases

Products which may be carried subject to the present Code are:

– products which are listed in chapters 17 or 18 of the IBC Code and the latest edition of the MEPC.2/Circular (Provisional categorization of liquid substances in accordance with MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code) and their related references to chapters 15 and 19 or

– oil-based/ water-based mud containing mixtures of products listed in chapters 17 and 18 of the IBC Code and the MEPC.2 Circular or

– liquid carbon dioxide (high purity and reclaimed quality) and liquid nitrogen or

– contaminated backloads.

The requirements of OSV Chemical Code applies to:

-OSVs, the keel of which are laid on or after 1 July 2018, or which are at the stage where:

-Construction identifiable with the vessel begins; and

-Assembly has commenced comprising at least 50 tons or 1% of the estimated mass of all structural material, whichever is less.

or

-Existing OSVs, the keel of which were laid or which were at a similar stage of construction on or after 19 April 1990 but before 1 July 2018 are permitted to carry products as assigned for carriage on a type 2 ship in the IBC Code, provided that these OSVs comply with the OSV Chemical Code, except for the amended stability provisions in chapter 2 of the OSV Chemical Code.

Source: Resolution A.1122(30)

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