The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) has just held its annual session in the Sub-Committee on the carriage of dangerous goods. Denmark took part in the meeting and was represented by the Danish Maritime Authority.
As one of the main issues at the meeting, it was decided to further knowledge about and understanding of the risks involved in entering spaces that may potentially be poorly ventilated, may contain dangerous vapors or may have low oxygen content. In the future, all crewmembers are thus to be instructed about the risks involved in entering so-called enclosed spaces. At the same time, crewmembers daily entering enclosed spaces or forming part of the emergency preparedness for evacuation of these spaces are to take part in mandatory evacuation drills from enclosed spaces at least every second month.
In addition, a number of amendments to the IMDG Code were formally approved during the meeting. The IMDG Code describes the international regulations on the carriage of dangerous goods.
Finally, focus was on clear international regulations on the carriage of bulk cargoes, including especially granulated iron ore, which has caused problems during transport by sea.
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[mappress] Source: DMA, October 4, 2011.