Preamble

1 The purpose of this Code is to provide an international standard for the safe carriage, by sea in
bulk, of liquefied gases and certain other substances that are listed in chapter 19. Through
consideration of the products carried, it prescribes the design and construction standards of the
ships involved and the equipment they should carry to minimize the risk to the ship, its crew and
the environment.
2 The basic philosophy is one of ship types related to the hazards of the products covered by the
Code. Each of the products may have one or more hazard properties, which include flammability,
toxicity, corrosivity and reactivity. A further possible hazard may arise where products are
transported under cryogenic or pressure conditions.
3 Severe collisions or strandings could lead to cargo tank damage and result in uncontrolled
release of the product. Such a release could result in evaporation and dispersion of the product
and, in some cases, could cause brittle fracture of the ship's hull. The requirements in the Code
are intended to minimize this risk as far as is practicable, based upon present knowledge and
technology.
4 Throughout the development of the Code, it was recognized that it must be based on sound
naval architectural and engineering principles and the best understanding available as to the
hazards of the various products covered. Gas carrier design technology is not only a complex
technology but is rapidly evolving and the Code shall not remain static. The Organization will
periodically review the Code, continually taking into account both experience and future
development.
5 Requirements for new products and their conditions of carriage will be circulated as
recommendations, on an interim basis, when adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the
Organization, prior to the entry into force of the appropriate amendments, under the terms of
article VIII of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974.
6 The Code primarily deals with ship design and equipment. To ensure the safe transport of the
products the total system must, however, be appraised. Other important facets of the safe
transport of the products, such as training, operation, traffic control and handling in port, are
being or will be examined further by the Organization.
7 The development of the Code has been greatly assisted by a number of organizations in
consultative status, such as the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators
Limited (SIGTTO) and other organizations, such as members of the International Association of
Classification Societies (IACS).
8 Chapter 18 of the Code dealing with operation of liquefied gas carriers highlights the
regulations in other chapters that are operational in nature and mentions those other important
safety features that are peculiar to gas carrier operations.

9 The layout of the Code is in line with the International Code for the Construction and
Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), adopted by the
Maritime Safety Committee at its forty-eighth session. Gas carriers may also carry in bulk liquid
chemicals covered by the IBC Code, as prescribed in the IGC Code.
10 Floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) facilities, which are designed to handle
liquefied gases in bulk, do not fall under the IGC Code. However, designers of such units may
consider using the IGC Code to the extent that the Code provides the most appropriate risk
mitigation measures for the operations the unit is to perform. Where other more appropriate risk
mitigation measures are determined that are contrary to this Code, they shall take precedence
over the Code.