INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO): REPORT OF THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 LONDON 007225

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SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO): REPORT OF THE
ELEVENTH SESSION OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON DANGEROUS GOODS, SOLID
CARGOES AND CONTAINERS, LONDON, 11 - 15 SEPTEMBER 2006.


1. SUMMARY: The eleventh session of the International Maritime
Organization's Subcommittee (S/C) on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes
and Containers (DSC) met in London from 11 - 15 September 2006,
under the chairmanship of Mrs. Olga Pestel-Lefevre (France). The
session was attended by delegations from fifty-two member states,
one associate member, one non-member, two United Nations (UN)
specialized agencies, three inter-governmental organizations and
sixteen non-governmental organizations in consultative status.
Working groups (WGs) and drafting groups (DGs) were formed to
address several of the agenda items. USDEL objectives were
achieved. Outcomes of particular interest include the following:


A. The S/C finalized the draft amendment (33-06) to the
International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code which, as amended
by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC),was adopted unanimously at
MSC 81 by resolution MSC.205(81). Amendment 33-06 will be published
fall 2006, will attain voluntary status on 1 January 2007, and will
attain mandatory status on 1 January 2008.


B. The S/C has made substantial progress on Amendments to the Bulk
Solid Cargoes (BC) Code and its mandatory application. A WG was
formed during DSC 11 to identify mandatory and recommendatory parts
of the BC Code, including consequential amendments, and to prepare
amendments to SOLAS chapters VI and VII on making the BC Code
mandatory. A correspondence group was formed to continue this work
intersessionally and to provide a written report and prepare a
consolidated draft text of the mandatory BC Code for approval at DSC

12.


C. The S/C has completed its work on measures to enhance maritime
security. A DG was formed during DSC 11 to finalize amendments to
the BC Code so as to include appropriate security-related provisions
similar to those found in chapter 1.4 (Security Provisions) of the
IMDG code, and instructed the correspondence group on Amendments to
the BC Code and Mandatory Application to include the finalized text
in the consolidated draft text of the mandatory BC Code.
Furthermore, the S/C finalized its work on amendments to
MSC/Circ.675 (Recommendations on the Safe Transport of Dangerous
Cargoes and Related Activities in Port Areas) and the IMO/UN/UN ECE
Guidelines for packing cargo transport units (MSC/Circ.787) subject
to final approval at MSC 82. END SUMMARY.


2. Amendments to the IMDG Code and its supplements - The S/C
considered 16 separate proposals under this agenda item. Several
were agreed to in principle for inclusion in future Amendment 34 to
the IMDG Code, and were referred to the S/C's Editorial & Technical
(E&T) working group for refinement and consolidation in the draft
amendment. Other proposals were either rejected or deferred for
further consideration at DSC 12 contingent on submission of revised
proposals. Also under this agenda item, the S/C noted the outcome
of the thirty-third session of the Facilitation Committee (FAL) with
regard to the assignment of a specific UN number and proper shipping
name to those radioactive materials, in packaged form, which are
solely used in medical or public health applications. The S/C
agreed that this assignment would not be appropriate. Furthermore,
the S/C noted that FAL 33 had agreed to an entry in the transport
document to facilitate transportation of these materials. However,
the S/C was of the view that such an entry is multimodal in nature
and the proposal would need to be brought to the attention of the UN
S/C of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.


3. Review and mandatory application of the Bulk Solid Cargoes (BC)
Code - The S/C convened a WG to consider numerous issues under this
agenda item and made several decisions based on the results of the
WG's deliberations. The WG deliberated on two separate issues: the
mandatory application of the BC Code, including consequential
amendments to SOLAS and other IMO documents, and the evaluation of
properties of solid bulk cargoes. Progress was made on both issues,
and it was proposed to establish a correspondence group to meet
intersessionally to prepare a consolidated draft mandatory text of
the BC Code for the S/C's consideration at DSC 12. With respect to
a number of proposals addressing the safe transport of Direct
Reduced Iron (DRI),the S/C agreed that further information was
necessary. Furthermore, the S/C noted that the WG report would not
be considered at DSC 11 and agreed to include a request for member
governments and industry to submit information regarding the safe
handling and transportation of DRI fines in the report of the S/C.


4. Casualty and incidents reports and analysis - The S/C considered
a casualty report from France involving the loss of a vessel that
was carrying bulk DRI pellets and agreed to request additional
information about the hazardous nature of this type of cargo from
member governments and industry in the S/C report. The S/C also
considered a casualty report from Germany involving a general cargo
where an explosion occurred because the cargo was not declared as
dangerous. The S/C agreed that many issues highlighted by the

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report should be brought to the attention of the UN S/C of Experts
on the Transport of Dangerous Goods for due consideration. The S/C
also reviewed reports from seven member governments and the
Secretariat concerning container inspection programs that had been

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carried out in various countries, and further agreed to urge other
member governments to submit such reports in the future in
accordance with MSC.1/Circ.1202. In addition, the S/C noted that
only nineteen reports from member governments have been submitted
regarding the frequency and results of such inspections in
accordance with MSC/Circ.1147 and urged other member governments to
submit such reports.


5. Measures to enhance maritime security - As directed by the MSC,
the S/C continued its work to review instruments under its purview
for inclusion of relevant security measures. In particular, the S/C
considered a report of an intersessional correspondence group and
established a DG under the chairmanship of the U.K. to complete
review of the Recommendations on the Safe Transport of Dangerous
Cargoes and Related Activities in Port Areas (MSC/Circ.675) and the
IMO/UN/UN ECE Guidelines for packing cargo transport units
(MSC/Circ.787). Based on the outcome of the DG and other IMO
bodies, the S/C agreed to the revised draft Recommendations and
Guidelines incorporating security measures subject to final approval
at MSC 82. Having considered that work on the item had been
completed, the S/C invited the MSC Committee to delete this agenda
item from its work programme.


6. Guidance on serious structural deficiencies in containers:
Reporting procedures on serious structural deficiencies - The S/C
recalled that MSC 80, recognizing the need for guidance for officers
exercising control under the provisions of article VI of the
International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC),1972, had
approved CSC/Circ.134 on Guidance on serious structural deficiencies
in containers. The S/C recalled that the purpose of a separate
reporting procedure was to collect, collate and disseminate reports
of deficiencies found in inspections of all containers.
Furthermore, the S/C recalled that at its tenth session it had
prepared amendments to MSC/Circ.859, but noted that MSC 81 approved
MSC.1/Circ.1202 which superseded MSC/Circ.859. It therefore agreed
not to pursue the matter further and invited the MSC Committee to
delete this agenda item from its work programme.


7. Review of the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (SPS
Code) - The S/C recalled that MSC 78 had considered the need to
update the SPS Code to reflect amendments to SOLAS chapter III and
the adoption of the LSA Code. The S/C further recalled that since
the SPS Code was adopted in 1983, many requirements of the SOLAS
Convention had been amended and that considerable experience had
been gained in the Code's application. Having noted the outcome of
other IMO bodies and chapter 7 of the SPS Code dealing with the
stowage of explosives, the S/C instructed the E&T Group to consider
the matter in detail at its May 2007 meeting.


8. Amendments to the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and
Securing (CSS Code) - The S/C considered a proposal by Sweden to
amend the Guidelines for securing arrangements for the transport of
road vehicles on ro-ro ships (resolution A.581 (14)) such that it
would be possible for the operator to secure road vehicles on ro-ro
ships with a suitable number of lashings and a combined strength,
depending on the requirements for the actual weight of the vehicle
and the particulars of the ship. The S/C expressed concerns with
the proposal and instructed the WG established under the agenda item
pertaining to guidance on providing safe working conditions for
securing of containers to consider the proposal in detail and advise
the S/C accordingly.


9. Revision of the LHNS and OSV guidelines - The S/C noted the work
completed by the correspondence group established at DSC 10 and
agreed to finalize the guidelines for the design and construction of
offshore supply vessels and the consolidated set of amendments to
the LHNS Guidelines, prepared by the SLF S/C and BLG S/C, having
included therein matters under the purview of the DSC S/C. The S/C
also agreed to the draft MSC resolution on Amendments to the Code of
safe carriage of cargoes and persons by offshore supply vessels (OSV
Code). Having considered that work on the item had been completed,
the S/C invited the MSC Committee to delete this agenda item from
its work programme.


10. Extension of the BLU Code to include grain - The S/C recalled
that DSC 10 established a correspondence group, under the
coordination of the United States, to prepare amendments to the BLU
Code, thus extending the application of the Code to include grain
and to prepare other consequential amendments. Having received the
report of the correspondence group, the S/C agreed to the draft
resolution on Amendments to the BLU Code (resolution A.862(20)) and
the draft MSC Circular on Amendments to the Manual on Loading and

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Unloading of Solid Bulk Cargoes for Terminal Representatives
(MSC/Circ.1160) for submission to MSC 82 for approval. The S/C also
agreed with the proposal of the correspondence group to have a
coordinated approach when preparing relevant amendments to SOLAS,
and instructed the correspondence group on Amendments to the BC Code
and its mandatory application to take the relevant decisions of the
S/C regarding this issue into account when preparing amendments to
SOLAS chapter VI. The S/C further agreed with the view of the
correspondence group that BLU Code and the Manual on Loading and
Unloading of Solid Bulk Cargoes for Terminal Representatives should
be included as a supplement in the BC Code, and requested the
Secretariat to work out the details.

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11. Guidance on providing safe working conditions for securing of
containers - The S/C noted that MSC 80 had considered a proposal to
incorporate guidance on providing a safe working platform for the
securing of containers, to ensure that ship designers, builders and
owners take into account the safety and health hazards while
undertaking lashing and securing tasks in compliance with the ship's
approved cargo securing plan. The S/C noted the progress made by
the intersessional correspondence group under the coordination of
the U.K. and established a WG under the U.K's chairmanship to
continue with the work. Having received a report of the progress
made by the WG, the S/C decided to establish a correspondence group
to meet intersessionally, continuing under the chairmanship of the
U.K., and to provide a written report to DSC 12.


12. Review of the Recommendations on the Safe Use of Pesticides in
Ships - The S/C, at DSC 10, considered two proposals by Germany
noting that the Recommendations cover three aspects of the use of
pesticides on board ships: the fumigation of containers and cargo
transport units subject to the IMDG Code, the fumigation of cargo
holds containing dry cargoes subject to the BC Code, and the control
of rodent pests on board all ships. The S/C agreed the proposal had
merit and invited the MSC Committee to include the item in the work
programme of the S/C. After considering an additional proposal
submitted at DSC 11 by the U.K., the S/C noted that some of the
proposed obligations placed on the master may be excessive and
agreed to the offer of Germany and the U.K. to submit revised draft
Recommendations to DSC 12.


13. Application of Requirements for Dangerous Goods in Packaged form
in SOLAS and the 2000 HSC Code - The S/C considered a submission by
Japan (MSC 81/23/5) which indicated possible errors contained in
table 19.3 of SOLAS chapter II-2 regarding the application of
requirements to various classes of dangerous goods and possible
errors in table 717-3 of the 2000 HSC Code. Japan's submission
proposed to develop amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/19 and
chapter 7 of the 2000 HSC Code, and develop an appropriate MSC
circular on the Document of Compliance with special requirements for
ships carrying dangerous goods under the provisions of SOLAS
regulation II-2/19. The S/C decided to establish a correspondence
group to complete the work intersessionally and provide a written
report to DSC 12.


14. Any other business - The S/C agreed that a proposal by Germany,
which noted that some water-reactive substances react with carbon
dioxide in hot atmosphere rendering the use of the fire-fighting
media not only ineffective but even dangerous, had merit and noted
the intention of Germany to submit an appropriate proposal to the
Committee for a new work programme item in accordance with the
Guidelines on the organization and method of work.


15. Chairman/date of next meeting - The S/C unanimously re-elected
Mrs. Olga Pestel-Lefevre (France) as chairman and Captain Juan Pablo
Heusser (Chile) as vice chairman for 2007. The date of the twelfth
session of the DSC S/C is tentatively scheduled for 24 - 28
September 2007.
USDEL sends.

TUTTLE