CDI going strong at 25

SILVER MEDAL

AUDITS • FOUNDED 25 YEARS AGO, CDI CONTINUES TO PROVIDE A SERVICE TO ITS CHEMICAL INDUSTRY MEMBERS AND TO SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE CHEMICAL SUPPLY CHAIN

THE CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION Institute (CDI) is 25 years old this year, marking a significant milestone in the promotion of safety and sustainability in the chemical supply chain. CDI was originally established by the chemical industry to inspect and audit oceangoing vessels carrying liquid chemicals and gases in bulk, in parallel to the SQAS audit scheme for land-based operations, but its remit was soon extended to a similar system for inspecting and auditing bulk liquids storage terminals (CDI-T).

The tanker inspection scheme, CDI-M, and CDI-T are now well established around the world and have contributed to improved safety standards in both markets. CDI has also attempted to do the same for the packaged chemicals sector via the International Marine Packed Cargo Audit Scheme (IMPCAS), although this enormous project has as yet had a less comprehensive influence, largely due to the extraordinarily large number of players involved.

Nonetheless, CDI, under general manager Capt Howard Snaith, continues to provide not only a quality and safety assessment service to its chemical industry members but also information to tanker and terminal operators.

For instance, last month CDI introduced the ninth edition of its Ship Inspection Report, which is used by assessors around the world, and is about to launch the seventh edition of its Terminal Inspection Report, which includes a benchmarking function. Both of these new editions respond to changes in the industry and requests from its members for more specific information.

The value of CDI’s activities is reflected in continuing growth among its membership. Over the past year, for instance, the CDI-T scheme has gained two additional chemical company participants – MEGlobal International and Tricon Energy – and two new terminal company participants, Oiltanking Singapore Chemical Storage and Tristar Transport LLC.

SERVICE SUCCESS In terms of the provision of information to operators, an important part of its remit, CDI this year published a new book, Packaged Chemicals By Sea: Risk Mitigation. “The commercial success of all companies is built on reputation. With the lightning speed and ferocity of modern media, a good public image in the international marketplace remains intact until the moment of an incident,” CDI notes. “This book provides insight into the entire marine logistic distribution supply chain and the responsibilities of chemical manufacturers and their service providers.”

For those in the chemical tanker sector, last year CDI published Chemical Tanker Operations for the STCW Advanced Training Course, a comprehensive guide to chemical tanker cargo operations. It is an essential reference point for serving officers and managers, as well as those undertaking advanced training as required by the STCW Convention. It covers topics such as international regulations, cargo handling and hazards, environmental protection, emergency response, safety management, tank cleaning and ship design and equipment. Both of these publications are available from Witherby Seamanship International.

CDI has lost none of its purpose over the past 25 years and in June this year elected a new chairman of the board: Capt Jan Antonsson, global maritime technical manager, chemicals at Shell International Trading & Shipping, who said on his appointment: “CDI has been leading the chemical and LPG industry in providing assurance to its members in safety, security and quality performance for the last 25 years. CDI has continuously improved and enhanced its services, going from strength to strength. Under my chairmanship CDI will continue to improve safety for vessels crews and terminal operators, ensuring the safe and sustainable transport and storage of chemicals and gases in the industry.” HCB www.cdi.org.uk