IMO carriage recommends having on board all ships. The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code is for administrators, ship owners, shippers, masters, and all others who need to know about standards to be applied in the safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes, excluding grain.

This publication also presents additional information that supplements the IMSBC Code, such as the Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carries (BLU Code, including the BLU Manual) and Recommendations for the safe use of pesticides in ships applicable to the fumigation of cargo holds.

The present edition incorporates Amendment 07-23, which may be applied from 1 January 2024 on a voluntary basis, anticipating its envisaged official entry into force on 1 January 2025.