BIMCO concerned over IMO’s double-hull bulk carrier proposal

BIMCO concerned over IMO’s double-hull bulk carrier proposal    The Baltic and International Maritime Council has expressed concern about the International Maritime Organization’s proposal, due for formal adoption in May 2004, to require double hulls for new bulk carriers over 150 meters in length.
   If adopted, the rule would take effect by 2006 or 2007.
   BIMCO said that its executive committee was concerned that, unless this double hull solution was carried out on the basis of genuine “designed for purpose” construction, shipowners would be ordering and yards would be building ships which would, by and large, “only constitute modified single hull designs.” BIMCO believes that this would fail to achieve the objectives which triggered this IMO action.
   BIMCO is strongly supporting the International Association of Classification Societies on the development of design criteria to produce common rules, which should be in place by the end of 2004.