IMO to address the definition of Group A cargoes that liquefy
Overview
IMO Sub-committee of Carriage of Cargoes and Containers holds its 5th meeting next week and this is to inform members on issues that are of relevance.
BIMCO representatives from the Maritime Information Department will be attending the 5th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 5), which will be held at the IMO London headquarters from 10 to 14 September 2018.
The CCC sub-committee considers technical and operational matters relating to the carriage of cargoes, ie, solid bulk and gas cargoes, packaged dangerous goods and containers. The sub-committee considers, for example, the overall implementation of the relevant conventions, codes and other instruments, mandatory or recommendatory, as appropriate, dealing with cargo operations. The sub-committee also evaluates the safety and pollution hazards of these cargoes, survey and certification of ships carrying hazardous cargoes as well as enhancing the safety, security and environmental culture in all cargo and container operations.
At the top of the sub-committee’s agenda and of interest to members, there will be a proposal to amend the definition of “Group A” cargoes in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code; the code which governs the mandatory carriage requirements of all solid bulk cargoes except grain ones.
Group A cargoes are cargoes that may liquefy if they are shipped at a moisture content in excess of their transportable moisture limit (TML). The proposal to amend Group A definition came from the recommendation of the Global Bauxite Working Group (GBWG) and their research on bauxite cargoes. The GBWG outcome showed that there are other moisture-related hazards such as “Dynamic Separation Process” apart from “liquefaction” that could cause ship instability. As this will impact the safety of ship and its crew when carrying Group A cargoes, it is expected that a wide discussion will take place at CCC to ensure that all risks pertaining to the carriage of Group A cargoes are properly considered.
All matters relating to the IMSBC Code also have a direct impact on our BIMCO on-line Solid Cargo Database section containing more than 200 cargo entries and which members use for guidance in terms of cargo information, latest carriage requirements as well as other cargo-related issues.
The CCC 5 will also be considering the report of the correspondence group on the amendments of the IGF Code (the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels) and the development of guidelines for low-flashpoint fuels. In addition, the sub-committee will consider amending the CSS Code (the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing) to include conditions for weather dependent lashing.
A brief report on the outcome of the meeting will be published shortly at the closure of the meeting.
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Posted:
07 September 2018
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