IMO focuses attention on container safety
The first session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) took place on 8 – 12 September, 2014 at the Headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Over one hundred issues, inter alia on container safety, were considered in the course of plenary sessions and working group meetings, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping said in its media release.
The Sub-Committee has confirmed an earlier taken decision on developing the global database for Approved Continuous Examination Programme (ACEP) and establishing a correspondence group for thorough consideration of remaining issues till the next session in 2015. An information package to the previously approved Code of Practice for Packing of Transport Cargo Units (CTU Code) has been agreed with the materials to be posted on the IMO public website. The issue has been considered on amending the IMO Circular DSC/Circ. 12 with regard to use of the IMO type portable tanks and road tank vehicles manufactured prior to entering into force of the amendments 30-00 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code).
Moreover, due to entering into force of the amendments to the International Convention on Safe Containers (CSC), the Sub-Committee at its session took notice of the difficulties liable to occur when changing the marking of the existing containers. Marking of the containers designed for the stacking and transverse racking loads less than those specified by ISO standards shall be changed before 1 July, 2015.
Approved Continuous Examination Programme (ACEP) enables the container owners to organise a more flexible container technical inspection without their withdrawal from the transport process at strictly defined intervals. The tool is foreseen by the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) as a container inspection scheme along with the Periodic Examination Scheme (PES).
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) as an organisation carrying out container examinations under its authorisation by the Administration, was among those in IMO who took lead in the discussion on the issue. On behalf of the RF Ministry of Transport RS participated in the meetings of the IMO Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC), including plenary sessions and working group meetings on ACEP Guidelines drafting, as well as in a pilot project to model and maintain an ACEP list.
