Circular issued by International Group clubs Members are referred to previous Group Circulars on this subject. In September 1991 the Group circulated details of amendments to the coal entry in IMO’s Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code). Subsequently, in April 1994, the Group issued a circular drawing attention to the report of IMO’s Marine Safety Committee which advised of research into procedures for monitoring carbon monoxide as a means of detecting the spontaneous heating of coal. The research has now been completed, and IMO has published further amendments to the BC Code as a supplement to the 1994 edition. IMO has recommended that Administrations and other parties concerned be made aware of the changes and has invited them to bring the amendments to the attention of shipowners, operators, seafarers, shippers, terminal operators and all other parties concerned. It will be up to individual Administrations to incorporate the new amendments into their domestic legislations. The existing requirements state that ships transporting coal should carry on board appropriate instruments for measuring methane, oxygen and carbon monoxide in the hold atmosphere and instruments to test the PH of the bilge water samples. The new amendments add that a means should be provided for testing the atmosphere in the space above the cargo without requiring entry into the cargo space. The revised entry contains a diagram highlighting a suitable arrangement. The BC Code also states that the instruments should be served and calibrated regularly and that ships’ personnel should be trained in their use. Thus, it is important for ships to be provided with the relevant test equipment and for seafarers to receive such training before monitoring begins. Information relating to test equipment may be obtained from the Association. The Code re-emphasises that prior to loading, the shipper or his appointed agent should provide in writing to the master the characteristics of the car