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DE RUEHLO #2621/01 2911213
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R 171213Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0100
INFO RUWDQAC/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-001/CG-DCO-I//
RUWDQAC/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-094/CG-2/CG-5/CG-52//
RUWDQAC/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-521/CG-522/CG-523//
RUWDQAC/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-534/CG-541/CG-544//
RUWDQAC/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-545/CG-543/CG-62//
RUWDQAC/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-7M//
UNCLAS LONDON 002621
SIPDIS
STATE PLEASE PASS TO IO FOR CLARKE, C.C., DHS, DOD, DOJ, FCC, MARAD, NOAA, AND NTSB E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC EWWT PHSA SENV UK
SUBJECT: IMO: SUB-COMMITTEE ON DANGEROUS GOODS, SOLID CARGOES AND CONTAINERS (DSC), REPORT OF THE 13TH SESSION, LONDON,
SEPTEMBER 22-26, 2008
1.SUMMARY: The 13th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Sub-Committee (S/C) on Dangerous Goods,
Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC) met in London from September 22-26, 2008 under the chairmanship of Mrs. Olga
Pestel-Lefevre (France). The session was attended by delegations from sixty- eight member states, one associate member,
two inter-governmental organizations and fourteen non- governmental organizations in consultative status. Working groups
(WGs) and drafting groups (DGs) were formed to address several of the agenda items. USDEL objectives were achieved. The
outcomes of particular interest include the following: A. The S/C began work on Amendment 35-10 to the International
Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and agreed in principle to various proposals subject to finalization by the
Editorial & Technical (E) working group which will meet in spring 2009. Amendment 34-08 to the IMDG Code was adopted unanimously at the 84th
session of Marine Safety Committee (MSC) by resolution MSC.262(84). Amendment 34-08 will be published in fall 2008 and
will attain voluntary status on January 1, 2009 and mandatory status on January 1, 2010. B. The S/C completed its work
on Amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code and its mandatory application. A WG was
formed during DSC13 to prepare a draft revised schedules for direct reduced iron (DRI), sulphur, coal, woodchips, and
wood pellets. The WG also prepared draft amendments to the forward and section 1 of the IMSBC Code as instructed by
MSC84. This work will become part of the mandatory IMSBC Code and will be forwarded directly to MSC85 with a view to
adoption. The IMSBC Code will attain mandatory status on January 1, 2011. END SUMMARY.
Amendments to the IMDG Code and its supplements --------------------------------------------- --
2.The S/C considered 14 separate proposals under this agenda item. Several were agreed to in principle for inclusion in
Amendment 35-10 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, and were referred to the E working group for refinement and consolidation in the draft amendment. Other proposals were either rejected or deferred
for further consideration at DSC 14 contingent on submission of revised proposals. Also under this agenda item, the S/C
considered a proposal to establish minimum safety requirements for vehicles and equipment that contain various amounts
of dangerous goods such as fuels, batteries, accumulators, or fuel cells. In considering the issue, the S/C agreed in
principle that minimum standards should be developed and invited the United States to submit a revised proposal to the E group for refinement and inclusion in Amendment 35-10 to the IMDG Code.
Amendments to the IMSBC Code, including evaluation of properties of solid bulk cargoes
--------------------------------------------- -----
3.The S/C convened a WG to consider the schedules for DRI, sulphur, coal, woodchips, wood pellets, and amendments to the
forward and section 1 of the IMSBC Code under this agenda item and made several decisions based on the results of the
WG's deliberations. The WG deliberated on these cargoes and prepared draft revised schedules for inclusion in the
mandatory IMSBC Code. In particular, the WG finalized draft schedules DRI (A), briquettes, hot- molded and DRI (B),
lumps, pellets, briquettes, cold-molded. The WG also finalized a draft schedule for DRI (C) for by-product fines giving
preference to inerting (vice mechanically ventilating) cargo spaces during carriage. These amendments will be included
in the mandatory IMSBC Code, subject to approval and adoption at MSC85 which meets at end of November, 2008.
Casualty and incidents reports and analysis -------------------------------------------
4.The S/C considered an incident report from Secretariat whereby a portable tank loaded with titanium tetrachloride
leaked and caused harm to two crew members and four dock workers. The titanium tetrachloride mixed with water causing
the evolution of hydrochloric acid vapors which are highly toxic. The S/C noted the report and requested interested
member governments to submit proposals to DSC 14 on this issue. The S/C also considered an incident report from the
Republic of Iran whereby a portable tank of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) leaked and subsequently exploded;
however, no one was seriously injured. The S/C was of the opinion that the leak was a result of improper loading and
handling but, nonetheless, agreed to minor amendments to the IMDG Code to highlight the hazards of MEKP. The S/C also
considered an incident report from the United States involving the release of argon, refrigerated liquid, from a
portable tank. The portable tank failed while stowed below deck and subsequently led to the asphyxiation deaths of three
longshoreman. As a result of this incident, the S/C agreed in principle to prohibit the under deck stowage of all
refrigerated liquefied gases subject to finalization by the E Group. The S/C also reviewed the reports from eleven member governments and from the Secretariat concerning container
inspection programs that had been carried out in various countries and further agreed to urge all member governments to
submit such reports in the future in accordance with MSC.1/Circ.1202.
Extension of the Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading for Bulk Carriers (BLU Code)
--------------------------------------------- ----
5.The S/C recalled that at DSC 11 it was decided that amendments to Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) chapter IV to extend
the application of the BLU Code grain should be coordinated with the SOLAS amendments to make the IMSBC Code mandatory.
However, the target completion date for this agenda item was extended to 2009 in order to prepare consequential
amendments to the BLU Code and the Manual in light of the recent amendments to the IMSBC Code. On this basis, the S/C
established an intersessional correspondence group under the chairmanship of the United States to progress this work and
prepare a written report to DSC14.
Guidance on providing safe working conditions for securing of containers, amendments to the Code of Safe Practice for
Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code), and form and procedure for approval of the cargo securing manual
--------------------------------------------- ------
6.The S/C convened a WG to consider numerous issues under these agenda items and made several decisions based on the
results of the WG's deliberations. The WG deliberated on the following issues: measures to prevent container lashing
systems from failing including measures to improve efficiency where possible, lashing position design, turnbuckle
design, container top working, and the application of these proposed amendments to new and existing ships. The WG made
progress on all of these issues and the S/C decided to extend the target completion date of these agenda items to 2009
in order to reconvene the WG at DSC14 to complete the work.
Review of the Recommendations on the Safe use of Pesticides in Ships --------------------------------------------- ---
7.The S/C, at DSC10, considered two proposals by Germany noting that the Recommendations cover three aspects of the use
of pesticides on board ships, namely: the fumigation of containers and cargo transport units subject to the IMDG Code,
the fumigation of cargo holds containing dry cargoes subject to the IMSBC Code, and the control of rodent pests on board
all ships. The S/C established a drafting group at DSC12 to develop two draft MSC circulars, which were subsequently
approved at MSC84, as applicable to the safe use of pesticides for cargo holds (MSC/Circ.689) and for cargo transport
units (MSC/Circ.746). The S/C noted that one issue remained outstanding, namely the control of rodent pests on board all
kinds of ships and further noting that no documents were submitted to DSC13 on this issue, invited member governments to
submit proposals to DSC 14 for consideration.
Guidance on Protective Clothing -------------------------------
8.The S/C recalled an amendment to the 2000 HSC Code and SOLAS II-2, as prepared by the 49th session of the S/C on Fire
Protection, to include a requirement to carry chemical protective clothing on board the vessel taking into account the
danger of the chemicals to be carried. The S/C expressed a view that, if the relevant amendments were approved by MSC,
the S/C should develop associated guidance concerning the selection of protective clothing. On this basis, the S/C
considered a proposal by Sweden to refer to EN 943-2 as a suitable standard for the selection of protective clothing.
However, the S/C was of the opinion that this standard may provide too little protection and there were other standards
which should also be taken into consideration, such as the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist's
"Guidelines for the Selection of Chemical Protective clothing". On this basis, the S/C established a DG to develop
guidance on protective clothing. Having received the report of the DG, the S/C decided to extend the target completion
date of the agenda item to 2009 and invited member governments to submit proposals to DSC14 for consideration.
Revision of the Code of Safe Practice for Ships Carrying Timber Deck Cargoes
--------------------------------------------- --
9.The S/C considered the report of the intersessional correspondence group which was established at DSC12 to progress
work under this under agenda item. The S/C approved the report in general and agreed to establish a WG at DSC
13.Having received the report of the WG, the S/C took decisions on a number of issues and re-established the
correspondence group under the chairmanship of Sweden to continue the work intersessionally and submit a written report
to DSC14.
Stowage of water reactive materials -----------------------------------
10.The S/C noted a proposal by Germany to review the cargo stowage, segregation, and packing requirements for water
reactive substances covered by the IMDG Code and agreed to include this agenda item in the work program of the S/C with
a target completion date of 2009. In the proposal, Germany observed that there are some water-reactive substances that
could react dangerously with carbon dioxide and therefore would render conventional fire-fighting mediums useless or
even dangerous in an emergency situation. The S/C, noting that no documents were submitted under this agenda item,
invited Germany and other interested member governments to continue research in this area and to submit proposals to DSC
14 for consideration.
Amendments to the International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972 --------------------------------------------- -
11.The S/C recalled that DSC12 considered proposals to standardize the scope, principles, and requirements of the
continuous examination programmes in light of a recent incident involving a deficient container and agreed to include
this agenda item in the work program of the S/C with a target completion date of 2009. Under this agenda item, the S/C
took decisions on a number of proposals and decided to establish an intersessional correspondence group under the
chairmanship of the International Standards Organization (ISO) to progress this work and prepare a written report to
DSC14.
Review of the guidelines for packing cargo transport units --------------------------------------------- -------
12.The S/C recalled that DSC12 considered a proposal by Germany, noting that Guidelines on Packing of Cargo Transport
Units have not been amended since the adoption of Amendment 31-02 to the IMDG Code and that the Guidelines may benefit
from improvements, and agreed to include this agenda item in the work program of the S/C with a target completion date
of 2009. The S/C noted that the guidelines were prepared in co-operation with the Inland Transport Committee of the
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the International Labor Organization and amendments to the guidelines
would have to be approved by these organizations. Therefore the S/C was of the view that it would not be possible to
amend the Guidelines for the 2008 edition of the Supplement to the IMDG Code. On this basis, the S/C established a DG to
prepare amendments to the Guidelines to harmonize with Amendment 34-08 to the IMDG Code. Having received the report of
the DG, the S/C decided to forward Guidelines to the E Group for further consideration and finalization.
Any other business ------------------
13.The S/C considered a proposal by the Republic of Iran to require the use of fixed or portable radiation detection
equipment in port areas in order to protect port workers, other persons, and the environment from inadvertent exposure
radioactive contamination. The S/C supported the proposal Q principle and, noting that close co-operation with the
International Atomic Energy Agency would be required, invited the Republic of Iran to submit a request for a new work
programme item in accordance with the Guidelines on the organization and method of work. The S/C also considered
information provided by the dry cargo ship owners non- governmental organization; INTERCARGO regarding an ongoing
investigation into high loading rates for bulk carriers. These loading rates give an indication that the provisions of
the BLU Code have not been universally applied by all member governments. The S/C agreed that the issue had merit and
instructed the correspondence group established under the agenda item titled "Extension of the BLU Code to include
grain" to consider the issue intersessionally and provide a written report to DSC
14. Review of documentation requirements for dangerous goods in packaged form
--------------------------------------------- -----
14.The S/C noted a proposal by the United States to review documentation requirements for dangerous goods in packaged
form and, if necessary, to prepare amendments to SOLAS chapter VII regulation 4 and the IMDG Code and agreed to include
this agenda item in the work program of the S/C with a target completion date of 2009. In the proposal, United States
observed that ambiguities and inconsistencies exist with respect to the application documentation requirements and was
of the opinion that SOLAS needed to be amended in order to ensure safety and efficient transportation of dangerous
goods. The S/C supported the proposal in principle and, noting that the documentation requirements contained in
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships (MARPOL) Annex III, agreed to forward the proposal
to the E Group for finalization and invited the United States to submit a proposal to the Marine Environmental Protection
Committee (MEPC) to expand the scope of this agenda item to include a review of the documentation requirements contained
in MARPOL Annex III.
Election of the Chairman and date of next meeting --------------------------------------------- ---
15.The S/C unanimously re-elected Mrs. Olga Pestel- Lefevre (France) as chairman and Mr. Arsenio A. Dominguez (Panama)
as vice chairman for 2009. The date of the 14th session of the DSC Sub-Committee is tentatively scheduled for September
21-25, 2009. TUTTLE