IMO’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers is meeting for its sixth session this week (CCC 6), on 9-13 September, where it is expected to validate a new IMO Model Course on Safe Handling and Transport of Solid Bulk Cargoes. The IMO model course seeks to facilitate access to knowledge and skills regarding the carriage of bulk cargoes.
The course will focus on the mandatory measures for handling and transport of solid bulk cargoes outlined in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, which is the industry rulebook on how to deal with such cargoes.
The course will cover all solid bulk cargoes, including those which may liquefy when moisture limits are reached and cause instability of the ship.
These cargoes require that particular attention is paid to testing and recording moisture limits before loading.
Cargo-related container ship fires are on the rise in 2019, with reported incidents averaging every 30 days and bucking the twenty plus year frequency of roughly every 60 days, according to data provided by insurer TT Club.
Additionally, the Sub-Committee will consider as a high priority safety provisions for ships using low-flashpoint fuels, given the new fuels being developed to ensure compliance with the upcoming 0.50% sulphur limit and IMO 2030 and 2050 CO₂ emission targets.
The Sub-Committee will also be looking at matters related to newer types of fuel, under the agenda item on the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code).
Meanwhile, draft interim guidelines for the safety of ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel are expected to be finalized, following work from the previous session held in September.
Another set of draft interim guidelines being developed covers the safety of ships using fuel cell power installations.
Under its ongoing work on containers, the Sub-Committee will consider proposed amendments to the inspection programmes for cargo transport units carrying dangerous goods.
Finally, the session is expected to finalise the work to develop draft amendments to the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code) related to weather-dependent lashing, aimed at ensuring the highest level of cargo securing, taking into account expected weather and other factors.
The meeting was opened by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim and is being chaired by Ms. Maryanne Adams of the Marshall Islands.
