SOLAS – Prohibition of Blending and Production Processes During Sea Voyages IMO Resolution MSC.325(90). 27 March 2014 No. 13-028 Download PDF (3,965KB) Members' attention is drawn to this important new regulation which came into effect on 1 January 2014. The Resolution addresses concerns that the physical blending of bulk liquid cargoes during the sea voyage for the purpose of creating new product blends may endanger the ship or the marine environment.  The Resolution which incorporates a new mandatory regulation in SOLAS Chapter VI – Carriage of Cargoes is as follows:- CHAPTER VI CARRIAGE OF CARGOES Part A General provisions 4 The following new regulation 5-2 is added after the existing regulation 5-1: Regulation 5-2 – Prohibition of the blending of bulk liquid cargoes and production processes during sea voyages The physical blending of bulk liquid cargoes during sea voyages is prohibited. Physical blending refers to the process whereby the ship's cargo pumps and pipelines are used to internally circulate two or more different cargoes with the intent to achieve a cargo with a new product designation. This prohibition does not preclude the master from undertaking cargo transfers for the safety of the ship or protection of the marine environment. The prohibition in paragraph 1 does not apply to the blending of products for use in the search and exploitation of seabed mineral resources on board ships used to facilitate such operations. Any production process on board a ship during sea voyages is prohibited. Production processes refer to any deliberate operation whereby a chemical reaction between a ship's cargo and any other substance or cargo takes place. The prohibition in paragraph 3 does not apply to the production processes of cargoes for use in the search and exploitation of seabed mineral resources on board ships used to facilitate such operations. [*] In addition The 2011 Guidelines for the Carriage of Blends of Petroleum Oil and Biofuels state:- Blending