RS representatives push for further development of FRP materials under TDG 65

The meeting was held during the 65th session of the ECOSOC Sub-Committee of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.

Representing RS in the Working Group, chaired by Ivan Sergeichev, Director of the Center for Materials Technologies (CMT, Skoltech), were Dmitry Yarveper, Head of the Containers Department, Sergey Legusha, Senior Principal Surveyor of the International Affairs Department, and Sergey Kordonets, Principal Specialist-Expert of the Rules Development Department.

The Group continued work on Chapter 6.9 of the Model Regulations of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN Orange Book). In particular, Russian experts prepared a presentation supporting the national document outlining developments of section 6.9.4 “Regulations on the design, manufacture, inspection and testing of portable tanks with bodies made of fibre reinforced plastics (FRP) materials intended for the transportation of Class 2 substances (non-refrigerated liquefied gases)”.

Since 2017, RS has been actively building up expertise in the field of FRP materials 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). Work is carried out in cooperation with CMT on the initiative and in the interests of Russian manufacturers and operators of tank containers.

The strategic partnership has already led to a number of significant results:

• the development and application of requirements for the design, manufacture, inspection and testing of portable tanks with shells made of FRP materials, forming the basis of Chapter 6.9 of the UN Orange Book;
• the incorporation of Sections 6.9.1 and 6.9.2 into the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) in the form of IMO Resolution MSC.501(105) - Amendments to the IMDG Code (in force as of January 1, 2024);
• the preparation of Section 6.9.3, “Requirements for design, construction, inspection and testing of shut-off valves, safety devices and hatches for FRP portable tanks” to be included in the new version of the UN Orange Book in January 2025.

During the intersessional period Russian specialists, alongside interested parties from other countries/organizations and independent experts, are invited to form a strategy for the virtual testing of portable tanks with shells made of FRP materials based on the methodology of “digital twins”. The outcomes will be presented at the next session of the Sub-Committee (TDG 66, 30 June - 04 July 2025).

Additional information:

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.