IACS has adopted new unified requirements for certain general dry cargo ships. The requirements will result in tougher hull surveys for close-up examination and more extensive gauging for steel thickness. The following ship types are excluded from these requirements: dedicated container and forestry product carriers, ro-ro cargo ships, pure car carriers and refrigerated cargo ships. The requirements apply to surveys of hull structure and piping systems of cargo holds, cofferdams, pipe tunnels and void spaces in cargo areas and all ballast tanks. They are additional to the classification requirements for the rest of the ship. The new requirements are applicable at annual, intermediate and renewal surveys commenced on or after 1st July 2003.

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