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🌾 Grain Code Amendments 2026

Updated: Sep 7

What Masters Must Know


Important amendment to the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (Grain Code). These changes will enter into force on 1 January 2026 and affect how vessels document and calculate heeling moments for specific grain loading conditions.

On 23 May 2024, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee adopted Resolution MSC.552(108), introducing an important amendment to the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (Grain Code). These changes will enter into force on 1 January 2026 and affect how vessels document and calculate heeling moments for specific grain loading conditions.

This post explains the new requirement, why it matters, and what ship Masters and operators should prepare before 2026.

📘 Background (Grain Code Amendments)

Traditionally, Grain Loading Manuals consider three conditions when calculating heeling moments:

  • Fully Loaded & Trimmed (F-T)

  • Fully Loaded & Untrimmed (F-UT)

  • Partly Filled (PF)

Until now, there was no defined category for a specially suitable compartment, partly filled at hatch level, with ends left untrimmed. In practice, this situation often arises due to stowage factor variations or operational limits — but the Grain Code did not formally recognize it.

⚓️ The New Definition (A 2.8)

The amendment adds a new paragraph:

“Specially suitable compartment, partly filled in way of the hatch opening, with ends untrimmed” –A compartment filled to at least the bottom edge of the hatch end beams, but not trimmed outside the hatch periphery.

This means vessels must now consider untrimmed end voids at hatch-level loading when calculating stability.

📐 Key Technical Changes (Grain Code Amendments)

  1. Stowage rules (Part A, 10.4):

    • Ends may remain untrimmed if the compartment is “specially suitable”.

    • The grain surface at the hatch opening must be level, but ends may follow the natural angle of repose.

  2. Heeling moment assumptions (Part B):

    • Grain surface assumed to slope 30° from hatch end beam when untrimmed.

    • After shifting, surfaces at the ends are assumed at 25° to the horizontal.

    • Heeling moment = 1.12 × calculated value (to account for adverse shift).

  3. Manual update requirement:

    • All Grain Loading Manuals must include this new condition and corresponding heeling moment values.

    • Update or addendum required by 1 January 2026.

🛠 What Masters & Operators Should Do

  • Check your vessel’s Grain Loading Manual.

    If the condition is not included, plan to update with Class/Administration.

  • Communicate with Owners.

    Masters should notify technical departments that amendments will soon be mandatory.

  • Prepare early.

    National Cargo Bureau (NCB) advises proactive updates before the enforcement date to avoid compliance delays.

⚠️ Important Reminder

This blog is for guidance only (Grain Code Amendments). Always refer to the official MSC.552(108) resolution and consult your vessel’s Class Society or Administration for implementation.


📥 Download Advisory PDF

For full reference, you can download the official NCB Advisory on Resolution MSC.552(108) – Grain Code Amendment 2026 here:






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