Hazardous cargoes guide to save lives and cost

The Cargo Integrity Group (CIG) brings together seven maritime, port, cargo and insurance interests in an effort to reduce the number of incidents that can occur due to badly packed or handled freight, either at sea, in port or on inland delivery.

The list is divided into the various types of hazard that they represent, including fire and explosive risks, spills and leaks, and improper packing. CIG They emphasised that these cargoes of concern are far more likely to pose a danger when they are mis-declared or have incomplete or incorrect information about their identity.

Much of the list is compiled from the freight insurer TT Club and a report by the International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association (ICHCA) which was recently submitted to the IMO and from the Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) which collates information from shipping lines on such incidents.

“The combined experience of our organisations has been harnessed to identify these categories and result in pin-pointing some commodities where the risks are perhaps less obvious,” said Peregrine Storrs-Fox, Risk Management Director, TT Club.

Storrs-Fox added that some of the freight on the list have seen well documented incidents, but others, such as “the combustible qualities of seed cake or the hazards associated with cocoa butter or vegetable oils, will be less well-known.”

Related:WSC developing cargo screening programme to prevent container fires

Every player in the supply chain has a responsibility to those further along the line for their health and safety, so it is incumbent on each player to ensure that their cargo is properly listed, packed and stowed.

“Complying with regulations and following the advice in the CTU Code saves lives, and we appeal to everyone shipping, packing and handling commodities that fall within the categories of these cargoes of concern to be particularly diligent,” advised Lars Kjaer, Senior Vice President at the World Shipping Council. 

Reactive Hazards - These cargoes can catch fire and cause significant damage and casualties under certain conditions. They are generally subject to Dangerous Goods regulations. Examples are:

Spill or Leak Risks - These commodities can present a risk if not packed properly or if they are damaged. Spills or leaks from these cargoes can harm the health of people cleaning up the spill as well as the environment. Examples are:

Related:Misdeclared container cargoes a growing concern for insurers

Improper Packing Consequences – Cargoes that are poorly or incorrectly packed or secured in the container can lead to injuries to personnel or damage to nearby containers, property, or other cargo. Such incidents can cause severe accidents at sea or on land, such as truck rollovers and train derailments. Examples are: