The Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) deals with the carriage of packaged dangerous goods, solid bulk cargoes, bulk gas cargoes, and containers. The Sub-Committee keeps updated the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code) and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
It also keeps under review other Codes including the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) and the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code). The Sub-Committee closely collaborates with other UN bodies dealing with the multimodal transport of goods.
The 10th session of the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 10) took place at the IMO from 16-20 September 2024, thus clashing with IUMI’s annual conference. For this reason, IUMI members Are Solum from Gard/Cefor and Nikolai Raab from Zurich/GDV participated in the session on behalf of IUMI. The meeting was chaired by MaryAnne Adams from the Marshall Islands.
Loss of containers at sea
The Sub-Committee progressed with the development of measures to prevent the loss of containers at sea. A Drafting Group was established in which Are Solum and Nikolai Raab participated on behalf of IUMI. During the discussions, a preliminary list on completed, current and foreseeable work on various topics was agreed which was subsequently endorsed by the CCC Committee. The list includes the recently agreed measure on the detection, tracking and mandatory reporting of containers lost at sea. The inventory further outlines existing measures under SOLAS, the Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention and other IMO instruments, as well as new proposals, and additional topics of work related to the prevention of the loss of containers at sea.
The Sub-Committee also endorsed a preliminary work plan for the topics identified in the inventory. To continue the work inter-sessionally, the Sub-Committee re-established the Correspondence Group on Prevention of the Loss of Containers at Sea, Revision of MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2 and Development of Performance Standards and Guidelines for Lashing Software, and included the following in its terms of reference:
- review and finalise the inventory list on finalised, current and foreseeable work regarding the prevention of container losses at sea, identifying potential interlinkages among the different topics and proposals;
- assess the feasibility, merit (e.g. regulatory, technological) and priority of the work items for further consideration;
- identify potential amendments to relevant instruments and assess which other committees or bodies should be involved.
IUMI will be represented in the Correspondence Group.
The TopTier Joint Industry Project in which IUMI participates thanks to the sponsorship of the GDV, our German member association, took the opportunity to present their findings in the run-up to the completion of the project. CCC 10 provided an excellent channel to share the wide-ranging research undertaken in the five work streams of the project which highlight the complexity of the various root causes which lead to the loss of containers overboard.
Work on revised guidelines for the preparation of the Cargo Securing Manual
Also in relation to the issue of containers lost at sea, the Sub-Committee started work to update the revised guidelines for the preparation of the cargo securing manual. A Cargo Securing Manual is provided by an Administration to support safe cargo stowage and securing, in accordance with SOLAS and the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code). The guidelines help to ensure a uniform approach to the preparation of these manuals. The review is aimed at including a harmonized performance standard for lashing software, so that this lashing software can be used as a supplement to the cargo securing manual.
The Sub-Committee tasked the Correspondence Group mentioned above with the following instructions:
- review and amend the revised guidelines for the preparation of the Cargo Securing Manual (MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2)
- identify issues which need to be included in the performance standards for lashing software;
- identify impacts on other instruments.
As noted above, IUMI will participate in the Correspondence Group.