Chemical Companies that produce a new chemical and require that chemical to be transported by sea must obtain a provisional categorisation of that substance. Termed the ‘Tripartite Agreement’ because three flag states may be involved in this provisional categorisation, the producing state, the user state and the transport provider state, the tripartite agreement is published every 1st of December. The tripartite agreement is, in effect, a supplement to the IBC Code.

Once evaluated, the product and its carriage requirements are added to the are added to the ‘Provisional Categorisation of Liquid Substances’ in accordance with MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code (MEPC.2/Circular) as an entry ‘for all countries, with no expiry’,  replacing any Tripartite Agreements that may be in place, and, ultimately, as a new complete entry in the IBC Code. in accordance with MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code (MEPC.2/Circular) as an entry ‘for all countries, with no expiry’,  replacing any Tripartite Agreements that may be in place, and, ultimately, as a new complete entry in the IBC Code.

References to Documentation on where to find additional information for ascertaining the Carriage Requirements for Products Shipped in Bulk are listed in the document below which may be viewed, downloaded or printed.