CINS acts on fire prevention

FIRE RETARDANT

CONTAINERS • LED BY CINS, THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY HAS PRODUCED SOME CONCRETE ADVICE TO HELP SHIPPERS AND LINER OPERATORS REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE ABOARD SHIPS

NEW SAFETY GUIDANCE for the stowage of classified dangerous goods on board containerships has been published by the Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS). The new publication, Safety Considerations for Ship Operators Related to Risk-Based Stowage of Dangerous Goods on Containerships, has been prepared by CINS, the international container shipping line organisation, as part of its efforts to reduce the number of cargo incidents onboard ships and to highlight the risks caused both by certain cargoes and by packing failures.

These new safety considerations complement - but do not replace – the existing measures already developed and implemented by ship operators for the carriage of properly declared dangerous goods. Likewise, they do not replace the requirements for stowage and segregation contained in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. Rather, CINS says, they will enhance the requirements of these regulations.

“Cargo-related incidents which result in fire and explosions are rooted in cargo problems. Subsequent investigations demonstrate a wide range of deficiencies relating to cargo presented for shipment,” observes Uffe Ernst-Frederiksen, CINS chairman. “These deficiencies include erroneous classification and declaration; packing, segregation and securing not complying with IMDG or not following the CTU Code; and packaging not complying with IMDG. This new best-practice guidance for DG stowage is intended to help improve fire safety in our industry.”

The publication has been created in response to a number of serious fire incidents in recent

THE INCREASING SIZE OF MODERN CONTAINERSHIPS years, often caused by deficiencies in cargo declaration and cargo packing. It both recognises and takes into account the significant complexities involved in achieving effective and compliant stowage of containers on board ships.

TRIED AND TESTED Prepared by a work group comprising CINS shipping line members, together with representatives of classification societies and insurance organisations, these safety considerations are intended to be used by ship operators, cargo carriers, and port personnel. They provide a risk-based dangerous goods stowage strategy, applying to all sizes of containerships.

The guidelines have undergone an infield trial and provide safety considerations designed to improve stowage planning and hazard mitigation for dangerous goods transport, notes ABS, which facilitated the collaboration between CINS members.

“This guidance is developed from key lessons learned provided by CINS members from past incidents. This experience informs the risk-based approach which frames goals, functional requirements, and strategies associated with dangerous goods stowage,” says Gareth Burton, vicepresident for technology at ABS. “Dangerous goods, not properly identified or accounted for, can be detrimental to the safety of the ship and more importantly the people on board that ship. This guidance is practical advice that will advance safety on container vessels.”

Another participant in the process was Exis Technologies, along with its parent company National Cargo Bureau (NCB). Exis used its detailed knowledge of the Dangerous Goods List and stowage requirements in the IMDG Code, together with input from industry experts, to categorise specific UN Numbers into the appropriate Risk Zones (RZ) based on risks presented by the IMDG Code, including the corresponding Emergency Schedules.

In order to support the current and future use of the CINS stowage guidelines, Exis will supply and maintain the Hazcheck Risk Zone (RZ) data free of charge as a resource available to the container shipping industry.

The CINC guidelines can also be downloaded free of charge from the CINS website, www.cinsnet.com.