ABS, CINS to Jointly Reduce Dangerous Goods Stowage Risks

Technology company ABS and Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) representatives will be working together to set out guidelines for practices that would help reduce risks posed by the stowage of dangerous goods on containerships.

ABS said it has been working with CINS members over the past six months to develop best stowage strategy guidelines.

Following a three-month trial, the best practice guidelines will be published on the CINS website. The collaboration assembles key industry stakeholders to examine the challenges and risks containership owners and operators face when stowing dangerous goods.

“Carriage of dangerous goods, not properly identified or accounted for, can be detrimental to the safety of the ship and more importantly the people on board that ship,” said Gareth Burton, ABS Vice President for Technology.

The objective of this project is the compilation of a comprehensive set of best practices to improve stowage planning and hazard mitigation for dangerous goods carriage, leading to a focused application of existing risk assessment processes.

“By working together with ABS and other leading international partners, we can share our experiences and help to improve the safety of stowing dangerous goods,” said Uffe Ernst-Frederiksen, CINS Chairman. “We are looking forward to channeling these experiences into the development of this new industry best practices document and welcome views, insights, and other risk-based approaches from various carriers that can help improve fire safety in our industry.”

This is not the first time ABS is working on the revision of safety guidelines related to the stowage of dangerous goods.

Following the Maersk Honam fire, which claimed the lives of four seafarers, ABS worked with the Danish shipping company on a comprehensive Hazard Identification study which led to the implementation of new, stricter, guidelines.