The Cargo Integrity Group (CIG) is calling on national administrations to carry out and report the findings of their container inspection programs.
Furthermore, they urge the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to continue collating and publishing these results in a publicly accessible format to support safety improvements in the carriage of goods by sea. Under resolutions adopted more than 20 years ago, IMO member governments agreed to conduct routine inspections of freight containers and their cargoes consistently. The findings are to be submitted annually to IMO for collation and reporting, providing a global view of compliance with international regulations and recommended practices, and identifying necessary safety improvements.
Lack of shared data undermines efforts to improve safety and sustainability
As informed, an analysis by CIG partner organizations reveals that less than 5% of the 167 national administrations covered by the agreement regularly submit inspection results to IMO in a publicly available form. While applauding the diligence of governments that do submit reports, CIG is concerned about the overall low submission rates. This insufficiency of data undermines efforts to improve the safety and sustainability of sea shipments.
CIG understands that other states may be conducting inspections of containerized goods entering and leaving their countries but are not submitting the findings to IMO as agreed. Without these submissions, there is no shared value.
Common and consistent reporting of inspection findings is essential for targeting communication and training programs aimed at improving awareness of the requirements and safe practices for container transport. These include the SOLAS Convention, the CSC Convention, the IMDG Code, and the CTU Code.
Recent incidents emphasize the importance of improved safety standards
The dangers of poorly packed, mishandled, or misdeclared containerized shipments have recently been highlighted by fires and explosions aboard container ships. Although the precise circumstances of these incidents are under investigation, CIG is concerned that existing measures to identify weaknesses are not being fully implemented, and opportunities to enhance compliance standards are being missed.
CIG is also alarmed by the possibility that IMO may discontinue collating and publishing these reports in an easily accessible format. The future of this essential function is being decided in meetings this week.
CIG calls on national administrations to fully implement their agreed actions on submitting container inspection findings to IMO to improve safety and compliance in sea transport.
Additionally, they urge IMO to continue publishing the findings in a format that clearly identifies where efforts to improve awareness and compliance with mandatory regulations should be focused.
