CINS, IGP&I and TT Club publish joint industry guidelines for the carriage of DVB
Joint industry guidelines for the carriage of Divinylbenzene (DVB) in containers have been published by CINS, the International Group of P&I Clubs and the TT Club.
DVB is a chemical that is prone to polymerization (a form of self-reaction), and – when shipped in bulk – DVB polymerization can cause heat and flammable gas to be generated. The stowage of containers carrying DVB aboard vessels can therefore present a risk of explosion and fire if they are not properly presented for carriage. In response to a series of polymerization incidents arising from the carriage of DVB by sea, in 2018 the IMO approved changes to the way polymerizing substances, such as DVB, are carried, by means of amendments to the IMDG Code. These changes are contained in amendment 39-18 of the IMDG Code, which will be mandatory from 1 January 2020, but may be applied on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2019.
To ensure the safe carriage of DVB in containers before 1 January 2020 when the amended IMDG Code requirements come into force mandatorily, the joint industry guidelines, highlight the practices set out in the IMDG Code amendments and recommend that these are followed now on a voluntary basis.
The recent reports of container ship fires has once more focussed those in the container supply chain on safety issues related to the incorrect processing of dangerous goods. The nascent Cargo Integrity campaign initiated by the international transport and logistics insurer, TT Club has as a consequence gained renewed impetus.
UK P&I Club, one of the leading shipping protection and indemnity mutual insurers and TT Club, the leading international transport, freight and logistics insurance provider, have welcomed the amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the requirement that containers have a verified gross mass before being loaded onto a ship.
Signum Services Limited (Signum) serves to conduct investigations worldwide on behalf of TT Club and its Members. This article draws on the experience and observations of these former senior detectives, with particular focus on crime in the UK.
While the cricket season drew sadly to a close in the UK, TT Club in Dubai kept fans and players engaged in the sport they love by hosting the TT Club Indoor Cricket Tournament at the end of September.
