IMO SUB-COMMITTEE ON CARRIAGE OF CARGOES AND CONTAINERS 10-14 SEPTEMBER 2018

The IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers held its 5th Session (CCC 5) from 10 – 14 September 2018.  Mr Hui Xei (CHINA) took the Chair together with his Vice Chair,  Mrs Gudula Schwan, both for the final time.  Mrs Maryanne Adams (MARSHALL ISLANDS) was subsequently elected as Chairman for 2019 and Mr David Anderson (AUSTRALIA) as Vice Chair. Three Working Groups (WG) were formed and chaired as follows:

 

WG1    Amendments to the IGF Code and Development of Guidelines for Low-flashpoint Fuels,   Mr C Allgeier (GERMANY)

 

WG2    Suitability of High Manganese Austenitic Steel for Cryogenic Service,

Mr A Aberg (NORWAY)

 

WG3    Amendments to the CSS Code with regard to Weather-dependent Lashing,

Mr G Szemier (SWEDEN)

 

The meeting was attended by representatives from 76 Member States, 1 Associate Member,         1 Inter Governmental Organisation and 29 Non-Governmental Organisations.

 

Items of particular interest to InterManager members are as follows:

 

ADDRESS BY SECRETARY GENERAL.  The Secretary General gave his customary welcoming address to delegates in which he outlined the arrangements for World Maritime Day celebrations at IMO on Thursday 27 September, this year’s theme being “IMO 70: Our heritage – better shipping for a better future”.  He then went on to mention the most important items in the agenda of CCC 6 which included, the requirements for fuel cells, guidelines for the use of Methyl Alcohol as fuel, the risks involved in using low flash-point fuels, the suitability of high manganese austenitic steel for cryogenic service, problems associated with the carriage of some solid bulk cargoes (in particular dynamic separation), amendments to the IMDG and IMSBC codes and finally, amendments to the CSS Code with regard to weather-dependent lashing.

 

AMENDMENTS TO THE IGF CODE AND DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDELINES FOR LOW-FLASHPOINT FUELS.  It was recalled that CCC 4 had re-established a Correspondence Group (CG) on Development of Technical Provisions for the Safety of Ships using low-flashpoint fuels, in continuation of work on the draft amendments to the IGF Code regarding fuel cells and the development of the draft technical provisions for the safety of ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel.  Consideration was given to the report submitted by the CG together with an updated list of safety topics requiring input from other sub-committees.  The extensive discussion in Plenary that ensued, covered topics such as : Safety provisions for fuel cells; draft technical provisions for ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel; draft amendments to the IGF Code, also those regarding closed liquid level gauges; safety recommendations for the application of fuel oil with a flashpoint of not less than 55 degrees C on board; and, a comparative analysis between the IGC and IGF Codes.  Following this discussion, suitable terms of reference were framed and given to WG1 for their deliberation, resulting in a report back to the Sub-Committee which was approved in general, and in particular, it :

 

  1. Approved draft amendments to regulation 9.5.6 of the IGF Code, for submission to MSC 100;
  2. Agreed, in principle, draft interim guidelines for the safety of ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel, inviting the endorsement of MSC100 and referring identified safety topics to other technical sub-committees for consideration;
  3. Approved draft amendments to para 6.7.1.1 and chapter 11 of part A-1 of the IGF Code;
  4. Noted the outcome of discussions on unified interpretation (UI) on the IGF Code on spaces surrounding single-walled LNG piping;
  5. Approved the draft UI on the IGF Code relating to functional requirements applied to gas admission valves at dual fuel engines and gas engines;
  6. Noted the UI on the IGF Code on alarms for loss of ventilation capacity;
  7. Noted the outcome of discussions on amendments to the IGF Code on fire protection of spaces containing equipment for fuel preparation; and,
  8. Agreed terms of reference for the CG prior to re-establishing it to consider ‘Development of Technical Provisions for the Safety of Ships using Low-flashpoint Fuels’.

 

SUITABILITY OF HIGH MANGANESE AUSTENITIC STEEL FOR CRYOGENIC SERVICE.  Having considered a proposal by the Republic of Korea to amend the IGC and IGF Codes to include high manganese austenitic steel for cryogenic service, MSC 96 agreed to include a new output for it in the biennial agenda of the CCC Sub-Committee, following which MSC 98 extended the target completion year to 2019.  CCC 4 then re-established a CG to finalise the test acceptance criteria for such steel in the context of its applicability to steel plates and develop a justification for expansion of the existing output, with a view to developing generic guidance on the procedure for considering and approving new metallic materials for cryogenic service.  Having noted the CG discussion related to the cross-weld tensile test, under-matched welds, ductile fracture toughness test and justification for expanding the output, it was agreed that high manganese austenitic steel would be considered for cryogenic service and WG2 was accordingly established, with appropriate terms of reference.  In considering WG2’s report, the Sub-Committee approved it in general and in particular :

 

  1. Noted the WG’s decision not to include specific safety assessment prior to the use of high manganese austenitic steel for cryogenic service;
  2. Agreed to expand the application of the draft interim guidelines to include LNG cargo tanks in addition to LNG fuel tanks;
  3. Noted the updated references in the draft interim guidelines;
  4. Approved a draft MSC circular on interim guidelines on the application for submission to MSC 100;
  5. Approved draft amendments to the IGC and IGF Codes concerning tensile tests for materials other than aluminium alloys;
  6. Noted the WG’s discussion on expanding the existing output to develop generic guidance on the procedure for considering and approving alternative metallic materials for cryogenic service;
  7. Agreed to re-word the existing output to read “Amendments to the IGC Code and IGF Code to include high manganese austenitic steel and related guidance for approving alternative metallic material for cryogenic service” for submission to MSC 100;
  8. Noted that the WG was not able to consider the drafting of an outline and relevant checklists for generic guidance on the procedure for considering and approving alternative metallic material and therefore included this as part of the terms of reference to the CG; and,
  9. Approved re-establishment of the CG on Suitability of High Manganese Steel for Cryogenic Service.

 

AMENDMENTS TO THE IMSBC CODE AND SUPPLEMENTS.  The Sub-Committee noted that the Editorial and Technical Group (E & T) will finalise draft amendments 05-19 to the IMSBC Code as a consolidated version, for its circulation and subsequent adoption by MSC 101 in June 2019.  In relation to the outcome of the MSC’s last meeting (MSC 99), there were no submissions on consequential amendments regarding “stability information” and “intact stability booklet” to the Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code) and the IMSBC Code.  There followed a discussion on Ammonium Nitrate based Fertiliser (non-hazardous) which resulted in a decision to divide the existing schedule into two and to forward all relevant documents on the issue to E & T 30 with a view to preparing the two individual schedules, i.e. MHB (OH) Group B and Group C, based on agreed criteria.  With regard to “Group A” cargoes, it was decided that the definition should be amended at the E & T 30 meeting.  Development of a Model Course for the IMSBC Code with China as the course developer was then agreed.

 

Germany proposed to introduce an identification number (ID Number) for solid bulk cargoes listed in the individual schedules of the IMSBC Code, in order to facilitate the identification of solid bulk cargoes in the different language versions of the Code through the designation of an “SBC No”, but in order to proceed, the sub-Committee decided that a new output by MSC will be necessary.  This was again the case when Germany questioned the relationship between class 9 dangerous goods carried in solid bulk form and MHB solid bulk cargoes, deemed also to require a new MSC output.

 

With regard to amendments to paragraph 9.2.3.7.3 of the IMSBC Code concerning the corrosivity test for metals, after consideration the Sub-Committee agreed them in principle together with draft guidance for conducting the refined MHB corrosivity test as contained in document CCC 5/5/12 in the form of a draft MSC circular.

 

In discussing proposals for new individual schedules, it was decided to forward the following substances to E & T 30 for consideration : Flue Dust; Copper and Lead containing matte  [UN 3077]; Iron Silicate Granulated; Brucite; Chlorite; and, Crushed Shell.  Having considered all of these, the Sub-Committee authorized E & T 30 to finalise draft amendment 05-19 to the IMSBC Code for submission to MSC 101

 

 

AMENDMENTS TO THE IMDG CODE AND SUPPLEMENTS.  Following a prolonged debate concerning many issues relevant to amendments concerning the IMDG Code and Supplements, it was decided to refer the following matters to E & T 31 which is scheduled to be held in the Spring of 2019:

  1. Application of special provision 76;
  2. Proposed correction to the description in column (17) “Properties and observations” of the Dangerous Goods List for UN 2754 N-ETHYLTOLUIDINES;
  3. Segregation of ammonium nitrate and chlorates/perchlorates;
  4. Draft amendments to various paragraphs of the IMDG Code and draft modifications to the dangerous goods manifest;
  5. Clarification of the details supplementing the proper shipping name in the dangerous goods transport information;
  6. Amendments to the Medical First Aid Guide (MFAG);
  7. Approval and use of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks; and,
  8. Proposed deletion of special provision (SP) 951 from the entry UN 1402 CALCIUM CARBIDE in the Dangerous Goods List.

 

AMENDMENTS TO THE CSS CODE WITH REGARD TO WEATHER-DEPENDANT LASHING.  Noting that this was the first session for considering amendments to the CSS Code (Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing) with regard to weather-dependent lashing, the Sub-Committee agreed that further studies and more in-depth discussions were necessary.  Towards this end, terms of reference were formulated for WG3 which was instructed to prepare appropriate draft amendments to Annex 13 of the CSS Code. Subsequently, having considered the report of the Working Group, the Sub-Committee approved it in general, and in particular :

 

  1. Noted WG3’s discussion on the reduction curve for basic accelerations due to significant wave height regarding weather-dependent lashing and agreed that further consideration would be necessary;
  2. Noted progress made by the Group but considered that further work would be needed before finalisation;
  3. Noted the view that the proposed amendments could have consequential implications on other cargo-related IMO instruments;
  4. Noted areas and topics that could be taken into consideration when developing further amendments to Annex 13 to the CSS Code; and,
  5. Approved the recommendation to establish a Correspondence Group on Amendments to Annex 13 to the CSS Code with associated terms of reference.

 

UNIFIED INTERPRETATION (UI) OF PROVISIONS OF IMO SAFETY, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT-RELATED CONVENTIONS.  The Assembly, at its 30th session expanded the output to include all proposed UIs to provisions of IMO safety, security and environment-related Conventions, so that any newly developed or updated draft UI could be submitted for consideration by the Sub-Committee, with a view to developing an appropriate IMO interpretation.  Draft UIs agreed by the Sub-Committee were approved as follows :

  1. Ship steel protection against liquefied gas fuel;
  2. Fire protection of spaces containing equipment for fuel preparation (GF 14);
  3. Alarms for loss of the required ventilation capacity (GF 15);
  4. Deck water spray systems (subject to further refinement of the draft UI for submission to a future session of the Sub-Committee);
  5. Insulation of cargo piping systems (with reservations as in 4. above);
  6. Cargo tank structure heating arrangement power supply; and,
  7. Emergency shutdown valves.

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING DANGEROUS GOODS OR MARINE POLLUTANTS IN PACKAGED FORM ON BOARD SHIPS OR IN PORT AREAS.  The Sub-Committee noted that the IMO Secretariat has developed a GISIS functionality allowing Member States to submit the reports of inspection programmes online through the GISIS platform.  This showed that of the 79,780 CTUs inspected, 6,684 CTUs had been found to have deficiencies, which meant that 8.38% of the CTUs inspected had deficiencies (a reduction of 11.34% from the previous year).  As to their type, placarding and marking accounted for 52.18%, followed by securing/stowage inside the unit (17%) and marking documentation (15.63%).  Commenting on the reports of incidents submitted to this session, ICHCA urged that an holistic approach to improving vigilance/visibility of containerised cargoes in the maritime supply chain be taken in the light of reports submitted in accordance with MSC.1/Circ.1442 and 1521, the published findings by the Cargo Incident Notifications System (CINS) and high profile containership incidents.  Member States and international organisations were invited to contact ICHCA with a view to taking further action intersessionally.

The Sub-Committee noted with appreciation the information provided by Germany on two incidents of fires in containers loaded with charcoal in bulk on board the MSC Katrina and the Ludwigshafen Express where charcoal ignited spontaneously, even though the consignments had passed the UN N.4 test successfully.

 

INTERSESSIONAL MEETINGS.  The E & T Group will meet at its thirtieth session for the IMSBC Code immediately after CCC 5 whilst MSC 100, convening in early December this year, will be invited to approve two intersessional meetings of the E & T Group for the IMDG Code in 2019, one in the Spring and the other directly after CCC 6 next September.  MSC 101 will be asked to approve  a further intersessional meeting of the E & T Group for the IMSBC Code in the Spring of 2020.

 

DATE OF NEXT MEETING.  The sixth session of the Sub-Committee (CCC 6) has been tentatively scheduled to take place from 9 to 13 September 2019.

 

 

END

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