Portable tanks with shells made of fibre-reinforced plastics materials are approved for international maritime transportation

IMO Resolution MSC.501(105) - Amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), authorizing the maritime transportation of portable tanks with shells made of FRP materials, has entered into force.

The abovementioned IMO resolution is based on the UN Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN Orange Book). The development of the requirements has been ongoing since 2017 with the direct participation of RS specialists. Activities are carried out on the initiative and in the interests of Russian manufacturers and operator companies within the framework of the Russian Federation State Program "Developing the Industry and Increasing Industrial Competitiveness" (Russian Federation Government Decree No. 328 of April 15, 2014, as amended).

Previously, national and international transportation of corrosive substances has been permitted only in metal containers with special protective coatings. In comparison to the metal ones, shells made of FRP materials have an increased service life and do not require long evaporation of residues from previous cargo, leading to a dramatic reduction in the time needed for degassing and cleaning. At the same time, the FRP shells ensure the preservation of the cargo’s original properties as well as the environmental safety of transportation. The entrance of portable tanks with shells made of FRP materials into the international maritime transportation market creates broad prospects for the use of this innovative equipment in the development of multimodal shipment of hazardous chemical cargoes.

The amendments to the IMDG Code introduced by IMO Resolution MSC.501(105) for the moment apply only to portable tanks. Manufacturing their service equipment (valves, safety devices) from FRP materials is not yet allowed, but RS specialists are continuing active work on the development of necessary requirements.

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Founded in 1913, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) is a world-renowned classification society that operates within all spheres of the maritime industry. The organization’s main objectives are to enhance the safety standards of human life at sea, ensure the safe navigation of ships and the secure transportation of cargoes by sea and inland waterways, as well as to develop standards for environmental protection.

RS reviews technical documentation, surveys ships under construction and in service, issues documents and certificates for vessels, offshore facilities, ship machinery, equipment and devices; conducts measurements of ships and floating facilities; carries out surveys to ensure compliance with international conventions; certifies industrial products and manufacturers, quality management systems, sustainability management and occupational health and safety management systems in compliance with ISO standards. RS surveys general cargo containers, thermal containers, tank containers, platform containers, offshore containers, etc.