The Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes) Regulations 1997

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations give effect, in relation to sea-going United Kingdom cargo carrying ships and to other sea-going cargo carrying ships while they are within the United Kingdom or the territorial waters thereof, to the amendments to Chapter VI of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 adopted on 23rd May 1991 by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organisation at its fifty-ninth session by Resolution MSC.22(59); and revoke and replace the Merchant Shipping (Grain) Regulations 1985.

The Regulations require appropriate information relevant to the cargo and its stowage and securing to be provided in advance of loading (regulation 4).

Ship operators and masters of United Kingdom cargo carrying ships, and of non-United Kingdom cargo carrying ships, are required to carry Codes of Safe Practices, or equivalent information, (regulation 5 and 11). The contents of one of these Codes (the International Grain Code) are made mandatory for ships carrying grain (regulation 11), and penalties are provided for breaches of certain provisions of that Code.

Information on the ships' stability and on the distribution of cargo for the standard loading conditions is to be supplied by the operator and to be in the possession of the master before loading (regulation 9).

Copies of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974, and amendments, of the various Codes referred to in the Regulations and of the Convention for Safe Containers 1972 are obtainable from the International Maritime Organisation, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR.

Merchant Shipping Notices are obtainable from Eros Marketing Support Services, Unit B, Imber Court Trading Estate, Orchard Lane, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 0BN.

A compliance cost assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Marine Information Centre of the Marine Safety Agency, Department of Transport, Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1EG. A copy has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament.