Why cargo details belong in the fixture conversation
For solid bulk cargoes, a commodity name and estimated tonnage are only the beginning. The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code provides cargo-specific information and procedures intended to support safe stowage and shipment. Its hazards include structural damage from improper cargo distribution, loss or reduction of stability, and chemical reactions. Those risks can affect whether a proposed shipment suits a ship and its intended voyage.
That is why cargo information should reach the master or the master’s representative sufficiently in advance of loading. SOLAS Chapter VI calls for information that allows an assessment of the cargo’s suitability, including stowage and segregation considerations. In fixture planning, getting this information early gives the parties a chance to identify questions before the vessel is committed to a loading plan. It does not guarantee acceptance or replace the ship’s own operational assessment.
International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code · Annex A: Requirements from SOLAS Chapter VI
Identify the cargo precisely
Start by confirming the cargo’s correct Bulk Cargo Shipping Name (BCSN) and the applicable IMSBC schedule, rather than relying on a broad commercial label alone. The Code assigns cargoes to Groups A, B and C: Group A cargoes may liquefy if shipped with excessive moisture; Group B cargoes present chemical hazards; Group C cargoes are neither Group A nor Group B. Some cargoes may fall into more than one group, so check the individual schedule and its requirements rather than assuming a familiar-looking commodity is routine.
If the cargo is not listed in the Code, do not treat that as a minor paperwork gap. The cited SOLAS guidance says the product’s details, characteristics, test results and classifications should be provided to the competent authority at the loading port so that carriage requirements can be determined. The route for review and any required approvals can involve relevant authorities beyond the port of loading. A fixture team should surface an unlisted cargo early and confirm the applicable process with the relevant authorities and parties.
Annex A: Requirements from SOLAS Chapter VI · Changes to international maritime law
For Group A cargoes, moisture is a shipping issue
For cargoes that may liquefy, the key comparison is the cargo’s actual moisture content against its transportable moisture limit (TML). The IMSBC Code says these cargoes are generally accepted for loading only when actual moisture content is below the TML, subject to the Code’s provision for specially constructed or fitted ships. The reason is consequential: cargo that shifts as it liquefies can move with the ship’s roll and undermine stability.
A dry-looking surface is not enough to establish safety. The Code warns that some cargoes can develop a dangerous wet base through moisture migration even when average moisture content is below the TML. For fixture execution, confirm that the cargo is covered by the relevant schedule and that required moisture and TML information, certificates and test records will be available in the required form and time. Do not substitute a visual check, a general cargo description or an old test result for the documentation required for the shipment.
A practical pre-loading check
Before fixing or finalizing voyage arrangements, gather the exact cargo name, applicable schedule, quantity, origin and loading window, plus the cargo information and hazard documents relevant to that schedule. Ask whether the commodity is listed, whether it is Group A, B or both, and whether the cargo’s properties or condition have changed since supporting test documents were prepared. Share material information with the ship’s side early enough for a proper review; the SOLAS guidance notes that the IMSBC cargo information form is a recommended template, while the underlying information requirement is mandatory.
Check the edition that applies to the voyage and relevant jurisdictions. As of 14 October 2026, UK government guidance says the IMSBC Code edition incorporating Amendment 08-25 may be used voluntarily from 1 January 2026 and becomes mandatory on 1 January 2027. That is a useful reminder to verify the governing implementation date rather than assume an amendment’s status from its publication alone. Grain in bulk is outside the IMSBC Code and is addressed by the International Grain Code, so identify the cargo regime before using this checklist.
Clear, early cargo data cannot settle every commercial or operational question. It can, however, help the parties spot missing approvals, testing or handling requirements while there is still time to address them. Treat cargo identification and documents as part of fixture readiness—not a clerical task to postpone until the vessel is approaching the berth.
International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code · Annex A: Requirements from SOLAS Chapter VI · Changes to international maritime law