Considerations for specific dangerous cargoes

MARINESHELF publishes articles contributed by seafarers and other marine related sites solely for the benefit of seafarers .All copyright materials are owned by its respective authors or publishers.

3.3.1 Substances harmful to the aquatic environment

3.3.1.1 Where practicable, wherever such substances are present in the port area, suitable means should be used to prevent these substances entering into the soil, water areas or drainage systems. This also applies to pipe and conveyor bridges.

3.3.1.1 It would be impracticable to seal the complete port area to prevent substances harmful to the aquatic environment entering the soil.

However, if there are areas where only specific types of cargo, e.g. bulk liquids, are handled or kept, the floor should be sealed. This may not be practicable in existing ports, but would be desirable for new ports. In other areas other means, such as absorbents, should be available for use in case of an accidental spillage. To prevent harmful substances entering into the drainage systems, drain openings should be closed by means of special covers during the handling of such cargoes.

3.3.1.2 Whenever practicable, drainage systems should be furnished with shut-off valves, sumps or basins and shore discharge facilities for contaminated water.

3.3.1.3 Whenever practicable, such areas should be separated by containment walls, bunds or sills.

3.3.2 Explosives

3.3.2.1 Explosivesshouldnotbepermittedtoentertheportareaunless the regulatory authority has granted permission to handle explosives. This should include explosives in transit.

3.3.2.1 Class 1 cargoes other than class 1.4S should only be allowed to enter the port area for direct transport to or from ships (import and export). However, situations may arise where, despite all the precautions taken, these cargoes have to be kept in the port area for several hours. In such situations a special site should be available for such short-term keeping.

Example 3

An example of such a special facility might be a bunkeraike structure which:

.1     consists of an area surrounded on three sides by a double steel pile wall, filled with sand;

.2     has on its fourth side a doubicaocked steel door;

.3     is without a roof'

.4     is accessible by road and rail;

.5     has a sprinkler system installed;

.6     has a storage tank underneath wfth sufficient capacity for collecting contaminated water; and

.7     has an office container next to it with communication facilities provided for thewatchmen, who should be presentaround the clockwhen cargo is inside the bunker.

Example 4

Another example would be to take the cargo to an isolated place which is secure.

3.3.2.2 Where necessary and permitted by the regulatory authority, a special site with suitable protection and with access by road and rail should be provided for the keeping of explosives.

3.3.2.3 Any such site should be fenced off to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons and should have facilities for watchmen, including adequate means of communication.

3.3.3 Temperature-controlled dangerous cargoes

3.3.3.1 Where necessary, special areas with shore facilities for connecting temperature-controlled cargo-transport units to shore utilities should be provided. The facilities should include back-up systems.

3.3.3.1 The controlled temperature requirements for the transport of certain dangerous cargoes (e.g. organic peroxides (class 5.2), self-reactive or energetic substances (class 4.1) or infectious substances (class 6.2)) on board ships are contained in section 21 of the General Introduction to the IMDG Code. This provides guidance to port authorities/berth operators if such cargoes have to be kept for short periods in a port area. Sometimes dangerous cargoes are transported under controlled temperature for quality-assurance purposes rather than safety purposes.

It is recommended that direct delivery for loading or discharge of such cargoes should be arranged, particularly if they are in cargo-transport units. Where this is not possible, ports should designate special areas or sheds where these cargoes can be kept. These areas or sheds should have facilities, including back-up systems, for connecting temperature-controiled cargo-transport units to shore power supplies.

With the approval of the competent authority (see section 22 of the General Introduction to the IMDG Code), certain dangerous cargoes may be transported in cargo-transport units of a type refrigerated by liquid or solid refrigerants, such as solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) or liquid nitrogen. In such cases sufficient refrigerant, with a margin for reasonable delays, should be carried in or with the cargo-transport unit. Neither liquid oxygen nor liquid air should be used as a refrigerant.

Because of the properties of this type of dangerous cargo (some may require explosive subsidiary risk labelling), it is necessary to control the temperature of any cargo- transport unit containing it. It is also advisable to consult legal requirements to determine if dual refrigerating units may be required. It mav be necessary to implement emergency procedures (e.g. disposal of packages) if the specified temperature of the unit, the emergency temperature, is reached. This is particularly important for ports in tropical zones, in which the need for an open-sided shed for the keeping of such units should be considered.

3.3.4 Radioactive materials

3.3.4.1 Where necessary, special areas which include buildings built in accordance with international safety standards should be provided for such materials.

3.3.4.1 Normally, radioactive materials (schedules 5-13 of class 7 of the IMDG Code) should only be allowed to enter the port for direct transhipment. If they have to be kept in the port area for several hours, special facilities should be provided. An additional high fence at an adequate distance could provide additional safety and security.

3.3.4.2 Any such areas should be secured to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons.