付録2(2)
SUB-COMMITTEE ON DANGEROUS
GOODS,SOLID CARGOES AND
CONTAINERS |
DSC7/8/1
12 July 2002
Original: ENGLISH |
7th session |
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Agenda item 8 |
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STOWAGE AND SEGREGATION REQUIREMENTS FOR FREIGHT CONTAINERS ON CONTAINERSHIPS WITH PARTIALLY WEATHERPROOF HATCHWAY COVERS
Report of the Correspondence Group
Submitted by Japan as the Co-ordinator
SUMMARY
Executive summary |
: |
This document provides the results of the intercessional work
of the correspondence group on stowage and segregation requirements for freight
containers on container ships with partially weatherproof hatchway covers |
Action to be taken |
: |
Paragraph 13 |
Related documents |
: |
DSC 6/INF.2, DSC 6/9, DSC 6/9/1, DSC 6/9/2 and DSC 6/15 |
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Establishment of the correspondence group and its terms of reference
1 |
The Sub-Committee, at its sixth session, established a correspondence
group on stowage and segregation requirements for freight containers on container
ships with partially weatherproof hatchway covers under the co-ordination by Mr.
Ota (Japan). The following Member Governments and an organization joined in the
group: |
CANADA |
NETHERLANDS |
|
FRANCE |
NORWAY |
|
GERMANY |
UNITED KINGDOM |
|
IRAN |
INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF SHIPPING(ICS) |
|
JAPAN |
|
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As the co-ordinator, Japan would like to thank all participants for their valuable contributions to the group's work.
The terms of reference are as follows:
.1 |
identify any hazards due to the stowage of freight containers
packed with dangerous goods on container ships fitted with partially weather-proof
hatchway covers;
|
.2 |
investigate the records of the number and amount of spillages
of dangerous goods and consequences on such ships;
|
.3 |
consider the need for and recommend any necessary principles
for the stowage and segregation of freight containers packed with dangerous goods
on container ships fitted with partially weather-proof hatchway covers;
|
.4 |
evaluate anticipated cost and impact on the industry of possible
changes to the requirements for the stowage and segregation of freight containers
on such ships;
|
.5 |
advise whether amendments to the IMDG Code and/or regulation
19 in new chapter II-2 of SOLAS or the development of separate guidelines would
be more appropriate; and
|
.6 |
submit a report to DSC 7. |
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Background of the work
2 |
The group confirmed the background as follows: |
.1 |
in the footnote of the Table 7.2.3.2 in the IMDG Code, "all
bulkheads and decks should be resistant to fire and liquid" is provided;
|
.2 |
"resistant to fire and liquid" has been interpreted as "weather-proof
(weather-tight)"; and
|
.3 |
partially weather-proof hatchway covers are not weather-proof,
because there are clear gaps between hatchway covers. |
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The group discussed on the issue on the interpretation of the words "resistant to fire and liquid" and recognized the necessity of the detailed consideration on the structure of hatchway covers.
Task of the Correspondence Group
3 |
For the clarification of the task, the group agreed that: |
.1 |
the group considered issues on stowage and segregation of freight
containers on ships with partially weather-proof hatchway covers;
|
.2 |
regarding structure of cargo holds, the group considered the
effects of clear gaps. The effects of labyrinth structure at the starboard and
port ends of hatchway covers were not considered by the group; and
|
.3 |
the group did not consider the comprehensive review of the
stowage and segregation requirements of dangerous goods on container ships. |
|
Identification of hazards (T.O.R. No.1)
4 |
The following hazards were enumerated, but not well arranged,
by the group: |
.1 |
ingress of dangerous goods, including heavy gases, into a cargo
hold through a clear gap in case of leakage of dangerous goods from a freight
container stowed on deck; |
.2 |
contamination of dangerous goods in a freight container in
a cargo hold and those in a freight container stowed on the deck above the cargo
hold in case of ingress of the dangerous goods into the cargo hold through the
clear gap; |
.3 |
propagation of fire to cargoes in a freight container stowed
on a deck through a clear gap in case of fire in the cargo hold under the deck;
and |
.4 |
damage of containers and cargoes underneath a clear gap resulted
from ingress of dangerous goods such as corrosive substances. |
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Furthermore, there were comments on difficulty of fire-fighting using fixed fire-extinguishing systems on and under deck against the fire propagated to containers on the deck, but this issue was not discussed by the group because it was out of the scope of the group and under the purview of the FP Sub-Committee.
Investigation of records of casualties (T.O.R. No.2)
5 |
The group investigated records of the number and amount of
spillage of dangerous goods and consequences on ships with partially weather-proof
hatchway covers. The ICS had undertaken the investigation and the group would
like to appreciate to the ICS and its member companies. |
6 |
The following items were investigated: |
for each ship:
.1 |
capacity |
(TEU);
|
.2 |
number of cargo holds fitted with partially weather-proof
hatchway covers;
|
.3 |
specification of the clear gaps and structure of
hatchway covers (see Fig.1)
|
.3.1 |
width of clear gaps (d);
|
.3.2 |
thickness (depth) of the hatchway cover (T); and
|
.3.3 |
height of gutterbars (H). If there is no gutterbar, the height
should be zero;
|
.4 |
total navigated months;
|
.5 |
number of incidents related to carriage of dangerous
goods;
for each incident:
|
.6 |
casualty on each incident, and;
|
.7 |
relation between each casualty and the clear gaps
between hatchway covers. |
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Fig.1 Definition of parameters
7 |
The ICS investigated the records of accidents and no accidents
related to dangerous goods on such ships were reported. The results of the investigation
are set out in annex 1 of this report. Estimated total navigated year and number
of freight container containing dangerous goods carried on such ships per year
are roughly summarized in table 1. |
Table 1 Estimated total operation year, etc.
Companies |
No. of ships |
Oldest built |
Approx. TEU |
Estimated
Ship-year |
DG carriage *1 |
A |
15 |
9 |
2,500 - 5,000 |
50 |
20,000 |
B |
42 |
6 |
2,500 - 6,000 |
120 |
60,000 |
C |
7 |
9 |
up to 6,800 |
30 |
75,000 |
D |
43 |
3 |
5,000 - 6,200 |
40 |
50,000 |
Total |
107 |
|
|
240 |
205,000 |
|
Note 1 : |
Estimated (very roughly) number of containers
containing dangerous goods carried in year 2001. |
Consideration of principles (T.O.R. No.3)
8 |
Based on the proposals by Japan (DSC 6/9/1 and DSC 6/INF.2)
and by France (DSC 6/9/2), the group considered possible principles for stowage
and segregation of freight containers containing dangerous goods on ships with
partially weather-proof hatchway covers, in views of easy implementation taking
into account actual stowage planning. The possible principles prepared by the
group are set out in annex 2. |
9 |
The group could not reach to the agreement on the application
of principles and agreed that the application based on relevant conditions regarding
positions of freight containers and height of gutterbars should be further considered
by the working group at DSC 7. To facilitate discussion by the working group,
the group prepared the discussion points as set out in annex 3. |
10 |
Regarding the application of the possible principles, the ICS
was of the opinion that application of the principles should be limited to freight
containers stowed in the vertical lines on clear gaps (freight containers marked
with "X" in figure 2 in annex 2) provided that the hatchway covers are fitted
with gutterbars. In this context, the Netherlands, while supporting the ICS's
opinion because the risk of contamination with dangerous goods in closed containers
stowed in the sensitive vertical lines under deck (marked with "D" in figure 2
in annex 2) was insignificant, felt that special segregation requirements for
open containers in the sensitive vertical lines under deck might be needed. Japan
was of the opinion that special requirement for "on-deck" stowage should not be
applied to the vertical lines "C" in figures in annex 2. |
Anticipated cost and impact on the industry (T.O.R. No.4)
11 |
According to the study carried out by the ICS, the cost and
impact on the industry are summarized below: |
.1 |
on the export lanes Europe to Far-East and possible also to
Australia, it was supposed that 10 to 30 % of shipment of containers containing
dangerous goods would be unable;
|
.2 |
introduction of additional requirements of segregation would
cause errors/unclarity which could result in fines/delays;
|
.3 |
at this moment 200 to 400 vessels (very rough estimation) have
partially weather-proof hatchway covers and conversion of structure of cargo holds
and hatchway covers would cost between 0.5 and 1 million US$/vessel;
|
.4 |
the rubber flaps to close the gaps would get damaged and require
repairs approximately every 5 years (very rough estimation); and
|
.5 |
if the special requirements for stowage of containers in vertical
lines on hatchway covers are provided as proposed by Japan, dangerous goods would
be stowed more and more on the outer rows (even 3 to 4 tiers) in order to carry
containers as many as possible, which could lead to other unwanted risks to the
marine environment. |
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For all points mentioned above (.1 to .5), it is of course depending on how far additional requirements would be enforced.
Amendments to the IMDG Code and/or SOLAS regulation II-2/19 or the development of separate guidelines (T.O.R. No.5)
12 |
Taking into account the results of SLF 44 (SLF 44/18 paragraph
9.12) that the draft guidelines were agreed at SLF 44 pending inputs from the
FP Sub-Committee and DSC 7, the group recommended to develop relevant requirements/precautions
for the input to the guidelines under development by the SLF Sub-Committee on
stability of, fixed fire-extinguishing systems for, and stowage and segregation
of freight containers containing dangerous goods on, ships fitted with partially
weather-proof hatchway covers, rather than the amendments to the IMDG Code and/or
SOLAS regulation II-2/19. |
Action requested of the Sub-Committee
13 |
The Sub-Committee is invited to approve the report in general
and, in particular, to: |
.1 |
concur with the identified hazards involved in the carriage
of freight containers containing dangerous goods on container ships with partially
weather-proof hatchway covers (paragraph 4);
|
.2 |
note that no accidents containing dangerous goods on such type
of ships were reported (paragraph 7 and annex 1);
|
.3 |
note the possible risks and consequences of spillages as specified
through the investigation by the ICS (paragraphs 5 to 7 and annex 1);
|
.4 |
consider the possible principles prepared by the group on stowage
and segregation of freight containers containing dangerous goods on such type
of ships (paragraph 8 and annex 2);
|
.5 |
consider the application of the possible principles based on
the discussion points prepared by the group (paragraphs 9 and 10 and annex 3);
|
.6 |
note the anticipated cost and impact on the industry (paragraph
11); and
|
.7 |
agree with the group's view on the development of separate
guidelines with regard to the issues on stability, fixed fire-extinguishing systems
and stowage and segregation of freight containers containing dangerous goods (paragraph
12). |
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