Adoption by the Republic of Cyprus of the IMO Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (G C Code) and of the IMO Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code)
Circular No. 9 /2001
23 March 2001
TEN 1/5
TEN 4/20
TEN 32/6/1
TEN 32/6/3
To all Owners, Managers and Representatives of Ships under the Cyprus Flag.
To all Recognised and Authorised Classification Societies
Subject : Adoption by the Republic of Cyprus of the IMO Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (G C Code) and of the IMO Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code)
1. I refer to the above subject and wish to inform you of the following:
a) The above mentioned IMO Codes have been implemented by Cyprus on a voluntary basis since 1982 ( see my Circular dated 09.12.1982).
b) The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus , by virtue of two Decisions issued under section 4 of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization (Ratification) and for Matters Connected Therewith Laws 1973- 1996 adopted the IMO G C Code and the IMO BCH Code ( see Gazette No. 3453, Supplement IV, dated 1.12. 2000, Decisions of the Council of Ministers No. 52. 561 and No. 52. 562 dated 26.10.2000, respectively ).
c) The Council of Ministers’ Decision No. 52. 561, incorporates into the Cyprus national legislation the G C Code, as adopted by the IMO Assembly with Resolution A.328 (IX) dated 12.11.1975 , and amended thereafter by successive Resolutions of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee.
d) The Council of Ministers’ Decision No. 52. 562, incorporates into the Cyprus national legislation the BCH Code as adopted by the IMO Assembly with Resolution A.212 (VII) dated 5.10.1971 , and amended thereafter by successive Resolutions of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee.
e) Therefore, as the two abovementioned IMO Codes are now part of the Cyprus national legislation, the transport by sea of dangerous chemicals in bulk and liquefied gases in bulk by Cyprus flag ships whose keel was laid before the 01.07.1986 must be effected in full compliance with the requirements of the BCH Code and of the G C Code respectively. In all cases involving carriage of such hazardous cargoes , the ship’s Classification Society must issue the relevant " Certificate of Fitness".
2. All the recipients of the present Circular are advised to strictly abide by the provisions of the abovementioned two IMO Codes.
Serghios S. Serghiou
Director
Department of Merchant Shipping
cc.