Shipping is a global issue to a very great extent. For that reason,
a majority of shipping nations in the world are cooperating via the
UN body, the IMO (International Maritime Organization) with a view
to agreeing common rules for shipping.
Safety and environmental impact are two important factors that
must be considered when dangerous goods are transported. IMO has
produced two important conventions in these areas which, among
else, are the basis for more detailed provisions on maritime
transport of dangerous goods:
- SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at
Sea)
- MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships)
Sweden has undertaken to follow these conventions and has
accordingly incorporated them into Swedish legislation, e.g.,
through regulations issued by the Swedish Maritime
Administration.
SOLAS
SOLAS contains provisions on how ships shall be constructed to
be as safe as possible, covering everything from fire protection to
stability.
Chapter VII of SOLAS regulates the carriage of dangerous goods
in packaged form or in solid form in bulk as well as carriage of
liquid goods and condensed gases in bulk. The requirements include
that the goods shall be classified and that separate information
about the goods must be available onboard.
SOLAS also sets standards for how ships that carry dangerous
goods shall be constructed and equipped. Chapter II-2 (Rule 54 was
replaced by Rule 19 in the amendments 2000) states the rules that
apply if the goods are packaged or are solid bulk cargoes. The
requirements vary according to the type of goods to be carried.
According to MSC/Circ.1148, Rule 19 applies for the following
ships:
- Passenger ships constructed on or after 1 September 1984
- Cargo ships of 500 gross or above constructed on or after 1
September 1984
- Cargo ships below 500 gross constructed on or after 1 February
1992
Ships that must meet the construction and equipment standards
provided in Chapter II-2 Rule 19 must also have a
certificate that establishes which classes of
dangerous goods the specific ship may carry (MSC/Circ.1027). The
Maritime Safety Inspectorate issues such certificates for Swedish
ships.
MARPOL
MARPOL contains provisions aimed at preventing pollution from
ships. The convention regulates things including how ships must be
constructed and procedures for transport of petroleum products and
other dangerous chemicals in bulk.
Annex III of MARPOL includes rules on handling marine pollutants
in packaged form.
Compliance with regulations on dangerous goods found in SOLAS
Chapter VII and in MARPOL Annex III on dangerous goods in packaged
form can be achieved by following the provisions of the IMDG Code.
The requirements in the BC Code should be followed for solid bulk
cargoes and the IBC/BCH and IGC Codes cover liquid and gaseous bulk
cargoes.
The codes mentioned have been incorporated into Swedish
legislation through the Swedish Maritime Administration’s
regulations.