Containers
Guidelines for the Safe Transport of Containers
In November of 2009, the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) published “Safe Transport of Containers by Sea: Guidelines on Best Practices”. The Guide provides recommended best practices for ships, port facilities, and shippers in the loading and handling of cargo containers.
Containers Lost at Sea
How many containers actually are lost at sea? For years, many different numbers were quoted in answer to this question but none were ever substantiated. So, in 2011, The World Shipping Council conducted the first survey of its members in order to establish a credible estimate. The results of the survey are quite surprising.
Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units
In 1997, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Labour Office (ILO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) published “Guidelines for packing of cargo transport units (CTUs),” which are primarily intended to assist shippers and others who transport goods in containers in safely loading such units. Recently, prompted by the recommendations of a Global Dialogue Forum, organized by the ILO in early 2011, the three organizations have decided to revise the existing Guidelines and develop a joint “Code of Practice” for the packing of intermodal Cargo Transport Units (CTU). The target date for the publication of the new Code of Practice is 2013. The World Shipping Council supports this decision and is participating in the development of the Code of Practice.
Lashing of Containers Aboard Ships
Lashing is the process used to secure containers on board ships. For a number of years, the industry has participated in a joint effort between industry and government, known as Lashing@Sea, which is led by the Maritime Research Institute of the Netherlands (MARIN.) Additionally, the World Shipping Council has been working with the International Standards Organization (ISO) to develop a requirement that containers with reduced stacking and/or racking capabilities be marked accordingly so they can be identified, stowed and lashed safely on the ship. An update of the current ISO work is provided in the ISO’s submission to the September 2012 meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers.