Handling Claims On Damaged Chemical Containers
Сontainers
turnover
in
Ukrainian
ports
is
quite
high
and
it
has
a
tendency
to
grow.
Sometimes
cargoes
may
be
flammable
or
toxic
so
it’s
vital
to
meet
appropriate
safety
rules.
We
handle
containers
damage
cases
for
vessels
with
chemicals
onboard.
Case
study
During
discharge
operations,
the
damaged
container
has
been
detected,
with
top
metal
roof
and
both
sides
of
the
container
swelled.
In
such
cases,
port
authorities
should
be
immediately
informed
about
the
incident.
Sanitary
and
Epidemiological
Service
inspection
results
showed
that
phosphine
concentration
in
the
air
significantly
exceeded
the
permissible
limits.
The
Service
issued
a
Protocol
to
prohibit
any
presence
of
people
onboard
and
surrounding
territory
and
around
the
vessel.
Moreover,
due
to
the
instructions
made
by
the
Sanitary
Inspection,
the
authorities
in
the
next
port
refused
to
accept
the
vessel
for
discharge
the
containers
with
damaged
container
onboard.
Harbour
Master
imposed
an
administrative
fine
on
the
Master
due
to
lack
of
information
at
the
moment
of
ship’s
call
about
the
hazardous
cargo
on
board
and
cargo
classification
according
to
IMDG
Code.
Cargo
receivers
refused
to
accept
the
cargo
with
a
damaged
container.
It
was
clear
that
the
cargo
created
a
hazard
to
the
safety
of
crew,
vessel,
and
environment,
and
there
was
a
risk
of
spontaneous
fire.
Disposal
of
such
containers
is
a
real
problem
because
authorities
are
not
in
a
position
to
issue
permission
for
utilization
of
the
damaged
container
and
cargo
in
Ukraine.
The
intensive
negotiations
with
various
authorities
(Sanitary
Inspections,
Customs,
Ecological
Inspection,
Harbour
Master,
Ministry
of
Emergencies
of
Ukraine,
Administration
of
Terminal)
lasted
20
days.
In
the
result,
we
agreed
to
dismantle
the
damaged
container
and
carry
this
cargo
onboard
to
the
port
of
loading.
Thus,
with
the
assistance
of
the
chemical
expert
appointed
by
the
Club,
the
damaged
container
was
dismantled,
debris
of
container
was
packed
at
special
bags,
goods
were
packed
at
plastic
bags,
re-stowed
on
a
flat-rack
(with
no
confining
sides
and
roof)
and
carried
below
deck
(to
keep
dry)
and
in
a
continuously
ventilated
hold
to
prevent
accumulation
of
any
emitted
phosphine.
The
flat
rack
kept
dry
during
loading/unloading,
regular
monitoring
of
the
air
in
the
holds
for
phosphine
was
arranged.
In
the
end, the damaged cargo was delivered back and discharged at the port of loading.
Result
The
vessel
was
released
and
obtained
permission
to
sail.
The
damaged
cargo
was
dismantled,
packed
at
a
special
bag,
and
carried
on
the
vessel to the port of loading.
P&I Correspondents Recommendations
We would recommend that Shipowners consider the following steps to be undertaken:
• Notify Harbour Master in due course about the status of hazard cargo onboard upon ship’s calls per IMDG Code.
•
If
a
damaged
container
was
found,
inform
P&I
Club,
local
Correspondent,
authorities
and
provide
protective
measures
for
the
crew,
vessel,
and environment.
•
To
require
the
appointment
of
a
relevant
expert
by
P&I
Club
for
supervision
for
any
operations
with
hazardous
cargo.
•
Provide
regular
monitoring of the air in the holds and ship’s premises.
•
Perform
cargo
operations
under
the
cover
(in
case
of
rain)
but
in
an
open
area.
•
Continuous
detection
of
emitting
gas
to
prevent
the
formation
of
an
explosive
atmosphere
concentration
of
the
gas,
and
to
protect
the
workforce
from
occupational
over-exposure
to
this
toxic
substance.
•
Provide
employees
with
necessary
protection:
a
full
face
mask,
PVC
or
other
acid-resistant
type
gloves,
helmets,
and
safety
acid-resistant
shoes.
• Prepare the Risk Assessment plan.
• Before any works, the ship staff and contractors working onboard shall be aware of the danger and meet sufficient safety rules.
•
In
case
of
conducting
hot
works
onboard
(for
dismantling
the
damaged
container),
obtain
the
permission
for
hot
works
from
Harbour
Master in advance.
•
Be
prepared
to
conduct
all
operations
with
damaged
container
and
cargo
onboard
under
supervision
of
qualified
expert
appointed
by
P&I
Club.
•
If
Masters
and
Shipowners
are
in
doubt
about
specific
details
of
the
chemical
cargoes,
their
reaction
with
atmosphere,
water,
etc.,
refer
to
P&I Club or relevant expert appointed by the Club.
