IMO CCC 2

Introduction

The Sub-Committee (SC) on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) had its second session from 14 to 18 September 2015, which took place in IMO headquarters in London. 

Agenda items of CCC 2

Agenda Item Subject

1 Adoption of the agenda 

2 Decisions of other IMO bodies 

3 Amendments to the IGF Code and development of guidelines for low-flashpoint fuels  

4 Safety requirements for carriage of liquefied hydrogen in bulk 

5 Amendments to the IMSBC Code and supplements 

6 Amendments to the IMDG Code and supplements 

7 Amendments to CSC 1972 and associated circulars 

8 Revised Guidelines for packing of cargo transport units 

9 Unified interpretation to provisions of IMO safety, security and environment related Conventions 

10 Consideration of reports of incidents involving dangerous goods or marine pollutants in packaged form on board ships or in port areas 

11 Biennial agenda and provisional agenda for CCC 3 

12 Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman for 2016 

13 Any other business 

14  Report to the Committees 

Briefing

3 Amendments to the IGF Code and development of guidelines for low-flashpoint fuels (WP 3) 

In reviewing the report of the ad hoc Working Group established at this session on this item, the SC:

.1 noted the progress made by the group on the development technical provisions for the safety of ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel; 

.2 noted the progress made by the group on the preparation of draft amendments to the IGF Code regarding fuels cells. 

5 & 11 IMSBC Code matters and Mandatory requirements for classification and declaration of solid bulk cargoes as harmful to the marine environment

(WP 5)

Proposals for new cargoes or to amend existing individual schedules in the IMSBC Code were referred to the E&T WG (next spring).

Provisions for solid bulk cargoes that may liquefy

New Caledonian nickel ores

France presented a progress report on Rheolat 2 project to optimise a VTPB (Vibration Table with Penetration Bit) transportability test for New Caledonian nickel ores. A presentation of the final test protocol is expected to be organised during the CCC 3. 

Bauxite and Coal

Following the loss of the lives of eighteen seafarers during the rapid sinking in open water of a bulk carrier carrying 46,400 tonnes of bauxite, a marine safety investigation has uncovered evidence to suggest liquefaction of cargo leading to loss of stability. 

As a response, the Sub-Committee:

- approved a draft CCC circular on Carriage of BAUXITE that may liquefy, to raise awareness of the possible dangers of liquefaction associated with carriage of bauxite, and recall and recommend  the Master should not accept this cargo for loading unless all possible information is obtained and the precautions provided in the Code are applied.

- instructed a correspondence group to prepare a draft new individual schedule for BAUXITE as Group A cargo and review the existing BAUXITE schedule, as necessary, as well as to prepare draft amendments to the existing individual schedule for COAL, as necessary. 

Mandatory requirements for classification and declaration of solid bulk cargoes as harmful to the marine environment (HME) 

The Sub-Committee: considered amendments to Annex V, including the addition of an appendix on Criteria for the classification of solid bulk cargoes 

as harmful to the marine environment, as well as related amendments to the IMBC Code. The Annex V amendment prohibits discharge of HME residues and requires solid bulk cargoes be classified in accordance with the a.m. appendix. Final decision as well as the links between Marpol and the IMSBC Code being left to the Committee.  

6 IMDG Code

 By reviewing the report of E&T 23, the SC agreed, in principle, to the draft editorial corrections to amendment 37-14 of the IMDG Code and agreed, in principle, to the next draft amendment 38-16 of the IMDG Code, and instruct E&T 24 to finalize it.

New proposals on amendments to the IMDG Code were discussed and referred to to the E&T 24 (next week).

The next amendment which is expected to be finalised next week for approval at next MSC, will be a fully revised text of the Code.

The Sub-Committee approved a draft Revised guidance on the continued use of existing IMO type portable tanks and road tank vehicles for the transport of dangerous goods(DSC/Circ.12) as a CCC circular (WP 6).

7 & 8 Container Safety (WP 4)

The SC:

 .1 agreed to draft amendments to the Revised Recommendations on harmonized interpretation and implementation of the International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972, as amended (CSC.1/Circ.138/Rev.1); 

.2 agreed to draft amendments to the Guidelines for development of an approved continuous examination programme (ACEP) (CSC.1/Circ.143). 

9 Miscellaneous

The SC agreed on an amendment to the IGC Code (as amended by MSC.370(93)) to delete the requirement for A0 windows for wheelhouses of gas carriers, subject to approval and adoption by MSC. 

11 Next Meeting 

CCC 3 is tentatively scheduled to take place from 12 to 16 September 2016. 

Foreseen working groups At CCC 3 

.1 amendments to the IGF Code and development of guidelines for low flashpoint fuels (agenda item 3)

.2 safety requirements for carriage of liquefied hydrogen in bulk (agenda item 4); and 

.3 IMSBC Code matters (agenda item 5). 

Correspondence groups established at CCC 2 

.1 development of draft interim recommendations for the carriage of liquefied hydrogen in bulk (agenda item 4); 

.2 development of technical provisions for the safety of ships using low-flashpoint fuels (agenda item 3); and 

.3 evaluation of properties of bauxite and coal (agenda item 5). 

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