RS assists Russian companies in refining international requirements for the carriage of solid bulk cargoes

Currently, apatite concentrate is not included in the IMSBC nomenclature, obligating consignors to obtain approval from authorities of the port of loading, port of discharge and ship flag state each time this type of cargo is to be transported. The process involves the preparation of an extensive list of documentation and permits and lengthy approval procedures which complicate the logistics and increase shipping costs.

The drafts of the relevant documents prepared by the Russian Federation with the assistance of RS specialists will be considered at the regular session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers this September. In case of a positive decision by the Sub-Committee and the subsequent inclusion of provisions on the new type of bulk cargo in the IMSBC Code, procedures related to the maritime transportation of apatite concentrate, highly relevant to the Russian shipping sector, will be significantly simplified while maintaining a proper level of ship and crew safety.

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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 with the goal of improving the operational and environmental safety of marine transportation. RS reviews technical documentation, surveys ships and offshore facilities under construction and in service, certifies vessels and companies for compliance with international conventions, recognizes and certifies industrial products and manufacturers, certifies quality management systems for compliance with international and national standards.

Today, RS is actively implementing the concept "More than class" by expanding its scope of services in the field of engineering and consulting, the development of technical documentation for vessels in service, marine warranty surveys and certification. In addition, RS surveys all container types, including tank containers and offshore containers, confirms compliance of packaging for dangerous goods, as well as renders services on the declaration and certification of dangerous goods and bulk cargoes.