RS strengthens regulatory input at IMO Technical Group on Hazardous Chemicals

The delegation included Alexey Serov, Principal Specialist of the Rules Development Department; Pavel Dorohov, Senior Engineer-Surveyor of the Astrakhan Branch; and Mikhail Shcherbakov, Principal Specialist of the Ships in Service Department.

The Group's primary objective is to assess and classify data on noxious liquid substances submitted by Member States, as well as to consider other issues related to their carriage conditions. The meeting addressed three key issues:

• Assessment of substances and preparation of updates to MEPC.2/Circ

An evaluation of noxious liquid substances and cleaning additives was carried out to support their inclusion in the annually reissued MEPC.2/Circ “Provisional Categorization of Liquid Substances in accordance with MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code”. This document regulates the carriage of substances and mixtures not yet listed in the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, and provides the approved list of cleaning additives.

• Drafting a revised edition of MEPC.2/Circ

The updated version of the circular is to include substances and cleaning additives reviewed during ESPH-31. The document also removes substances that are no longer transported or whose provisional assessment has expired.

• Recommendations on pre-wash procedures for cargo tanks

The group prepared recommendations for the IMO Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR Sub-Committee) on clarifying requirements for pre-wash procedures when carrying products with high melting points and/or high viscosity. Particular attention was drawn to the issue of port reception facility availability, since under MARPOL regulations, for certain substances the mixture of cargo residues and wash water generated during a pre-wash must be discharged to a reception facility at the unloading port. A draft se t of requirements aimed at improving tank washing procedures has been submitted for further consideration to the PPR Sub-Committee.

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 expanding its scope of services in the field of engineering and consulting, the development of technical documentation for vessels in service, marine warranty surveys, management system certification and recognition of manufacturers. 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.