48 SAFETY
NEWS BULLETIN
SAFETY
KNOW YOUR ARMS
The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) has updated its Design and Construction Specification for Marine Loading Arms (MLA) publication. This fourth edition provides enhanced and updated guidance to owners and vendors of MLAs used in the transfer of oil and oil products, LNG, LPG, ammonia, ethylene and other gases. “The development of this updated and enhanced guidance was necessary to account for the significant technical and regulatory changes related to MLAs since the last edition was published [ten years ago],” says Chris Snape, who chaired the working group that produced the new edition. “By taking advantage of standard software capabilities to aid the accuracy of standard information provided by owners to manufacturers, we are confident that this publication will support the highest standards of safety and best practice.” “There are considerable differences between the various designs available, so getting alignment on safety-related design and construction specifications is a significant achievement and speaks to the professionalism of all those involved,” adds OCIMF director Rob Drysdale. “The book contains much more detail and information than previous editions, including new and emerging technologies as the use of marine loading arms expands into other areas.” The new MLA book is available for purchase via the OCIMF website, www.ocimf.org. FEWER SPILLS THAN EVER
Last year witnessed the fewest oil pollution incidents at sea since records began in 1970, according to the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation’s (ITOPF) latest annual survey. Only three oil spill events were recorded, only one of which involved the loss of more than 700 tonnes of product, with an estimated total of some 1,000 tonnes. The number of incidents is half the ten-year average, compared to an average of around 79 per year in the 1970s.
HCB MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2020
ITOPF’s figure for 2019 does not include the mysterious spill that contaminated some 3,000 km of coastline in Brazil, the source of which is thus far unknown. The statistics may be changed should it be determined that it came from an oil tanker. www.itopf.org LPG GETS A PASS
The UK Freight Transport Association (FTA) has extended the Safe Loading Pass Scheme, introduced for liquid fuels in 2015, to cover LPG as from 1 January 2020. From then, any vehicle loading LPG at participating terminals must be inspected under the scheme, which is recognised by members of the UK Petroleum Industries Association (UK PIA) and the Tank Storage Association (TSA). “We have worked closely with Liquid Gas UK, UKPIA and TSA to adapt the audits and inspections developed for liquid fuel tankers to LPG tankers,” says Sharon Mitchell, head of audits and standards at FTA. “This will offer fuel terminal managers the same safety assurances that the Scheme offers for both types of vehicle entering their premises.” www.safeloadingpass.co.uk www.fta.co.uk FIRE GUIDE FOR CONTAINERS
ABS has issued a new Guide for Fire-Fighting Systems for Cargo Areas of Container Carriers, in what it describes as an “industry first”. The Guide is for the use of designers, builders, owners and operators and specifies the ABS requirements for addressing fire safety in four key areas: fire-fighting for containers stowed on deck, fire-fighting for containers stowed below, fire safety of the deckhouse and container hold flooding as a measure for fire-fighting. “Container carriers have grown much larger in recent years and the volume of cargo carried has expanded significantly,” says Gareth Burton, vice-president of technology at ABS. “In addition, the nature of the cargo has
changed. Fires involving containers, especially with the volume and type of cargo now being carried, are becoming more frequent and can present a significant risk to the safety of the crew and the vessel.” ww2.eagle.org CLEAN AND GREEN
ClassNK has released an updated version of its Guidelines for the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM), with this fourth edition taking account of the entry into force at the end of 2020 of EU regulations that will require all existing ships sailing under the flag of EU member states and ships flying the flag of a third country and calling at an EU port or anchorage to have an IHM. The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships Convention (HKC), adopted in 2009, that will require an IHM for all ships over 500 gt, has not yet entered into force, although only two more significant maritime nations are needed to accede to it for it to meet the necessary conditions. ClassNK has revised its guidelines to include comprehensive content on the development and maintenance of IHM in line with not only the HKC, but also EU regulations, including the validity of an existing statement of compliance. The guidelines can be freely downloaded from the ClassNK website, www.classnk.com (registration required). BUY ONLINE FROM LION
Lion Technology has opened an online store to offer hazmat shipping labels, marks and placards. The labels and placards Lion offers are made from durable, weather-resistant materials to withstand the rigors of transport. Printed with fade-resistant, ultraviolet inks, these labels and placards will remain bright, noticeable, and compliant throughout the supply chain. Tammy Kent, Lion’s president, explains: “At Lion, our prime objective has always been to simplify regulatory compliance for industry professionals. By offering hazmat labels and placards, we’ve made Lion.com a one-stopshop for the hazmat training, consulting, and products that shippers need.” www.lion.com/products
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