BCH Code: the IBC Code's predecessor for pre-1986 chemical tankers
The Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, adopted by IMO resolution A.212(VII) in 1971 and still governing ships built before 1 July 1986.
The Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, universally called the BCH Code, is the predecessor of the IBC Code. It was adopted by IMO Assembly resolution A.212(VII) on 12 October 1971, and IMO resolution MEPC.20(22) of 5 December 1985 adopted the version extended to cover marine pollution aspects.
Its status is split in a way that catches readers out. The BCH Code remains a recommendation under SOLAS 1974, and a mandatory instrument under MARPOL Annex II by virtue of resolution MEPC.16(22). MARPOL Annex II regulations 11.1.2 and 11.1.3 route the pre-1986 ships to it: 11.1.2 covers ships contracted on or after 2 November 1973 but constructed before 1 July 1986 on international voyages, and 11.1.3 covers ships contracted before 2 November 1973.
The date that divides the two codes is 1 July 1986, and it is a construction date rather than a trading date. A BCH Code ship holds a Certificate of Fitness issued under that Code, whose product list is not interchangeable with an IBC Code list. The full article will cover the Code’s structure, its ship types I, II and III, its amendment history through MEPC.144(54), MSC.212(81), MEPC.249(66), MEPC.319(74) and MSC.463(101), and what remains of the fleet it governs.