What is the difference between the IGC Code and the IGF Code?
Short answer
| IGC Code | IGF Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | liquefied gas carried as cargo | gas or low-flashpoint fuel burned as fuel |
| Applies to | gas carriers (LNG, LPG, chemical-gas) | any ship using low-flashpoint fuel, other than IGC ships |
| SOLAS basis | chapter VII | chapter II-1, MSC.391(95), in force 1 January 2017 |
| Governs | cargo containment and cargo-handling system | fuel containment and the fuel-gas supply to the machinery |
| Certificate | Certificate of Fitness | SOLAS construction and safety certification |
| Crew training | STCW V/1-2 | STCW A-V/3 |
- One word: IGC is gas as CARGO; IGF is gas as FUEL.
- IGC: safe carriage of liquefied gases in bulk; cargo containment, cargo handling and reliquefaction; mandatory under SOLAS chapter VII regardless of size, even under 500 GT; Certificate of Fitness.
- IGF: ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels, other than IGC ships; fuel tanks, gas supply to the engines, double-walled piping, gas detection, emergency shutdown; SOLAS chapter II-1, MSC.391(95), in force 1 January 2017, goal-based.
- Cross-question: an LNG carrier burning its boil-off gas stays under the IGC for cargo and fuel, which is why the IGF carves it out.
- India: both apply through MS Act 2025 s.147; DGMA or its RO certifies.
- As Chief Engineer: on a gas-fuelled ship the IGF fuel system is my machinery-space responsibility; IGC is what we carry, IGF is what we burn.
Full answer
The full answer explains each point step by step, with the regulations and figures behind it and the discussion from other candidates. It is in the MEO Class I section of the Marine One forum, open to members enrolled for the MEO Class I exam.