Most commonly used class notation for standard Bulk Carrier configuration.
Purpose
The purpose of the class notation is to give a standard Bulk Carrier reasonable loading/discharging flexibility. Such vessels are designed to take full cargo deadweight with some (defined) cargo holds empty.
BC-A is mandatory for standard Bulk Carriers above 150 metres in length carrying dry bulk cargoes with a dencity of more than 1.0t/m3, unless BC-B or BC-C is requested.
The class notation is available to ensure compliance with requirements applicable to ships intended for the carriage of solid bulk cargoes as described in IACS UR S25 "Standard Loading Conditions and Harmonized Class Notations".
Benefits
The notation ensures a strong and robust Bulk Carrier, with operational flexibility and fitness for purpose and includes all the features that are included in BC-B and BC-C notation. It also implies that the vessel is designed to carry solid bulk cargoes of any density, with specified holds empty at maximum draught. Such vessels have sufficient flexibility to perform multi porting. An example of this can be partly loading in port A, and top up in port B, and finally discharging in port C.
Features
The notation implies that the vessel is designed to carry solid bulk cargoes with a density of up to 3.0 t/m3, with specified holds empty at maximum draught. In addition to the design loading conditions required for BC-B, the following is compulsory: at least one cargo loaded condition with specified holds empty with a cargo density of 3.0 t/m3, and the same filling rate (cargo mass / holds cubic capacity) in all loaded holds at maximum draught with all ballast tanks empty.
The combination of specified empty holds shall be indicated with the additional notation: Holds a, b… may be empty. Vessels which are designed with more than one combination of specified empty holds shall have the additional notation: Holds a, b… or c, d…, may be empty.
In cases where the cargo density applied is less than 3.0 t/m3, the maximum density of the cargo that the vessel is allowed to carry shall be indicated with the additional notation:
Maximum Cargo Density x.y t/m3.