Darlington, UK, 10 May 2016
Exis is pleased to announce the introduction of two new e-learning courses for safe handling and packing in accordance with the CTU Code and to assist compliance with the SOLAS Verification of Gross Mass (VGM) regulation. TT Club has provided sponsorship to support development of the courses.
As consistently evidenced by the experience of both global freight transport insurer, TT Club and the Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) Organisation, poor CTU packing is responsible for an alarmingly high number of incidents leading to damage, loss, injuries and fatalities. Additionally, the declaration of incorrect container weight (or Gross Mass) also contributes to adverse safety conditions.
There have been two recent, important developments that are aimed at improving this situation. The first is the introduction of the Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) formulated jointly by three United Nations bodies, IMO, ILO and UNECE*, and approved as non-mandatory international law. The second is the amendment to SOLAS** to require verified gross mass (VGM) for packed containers, which enters into mandatory force on 1 July 2016.
Exis Technologies, a leading supplier of compliance systems to the freight transport industry, has responded to these positive initiatives to improve transport safety by introducing two new e-learning courses.
- Introduction to the CTU Code Course provides an overview to the CTU Code. It highlights how to navigate the key sections of the Code and how it can support training in the packing and securing of cargo into/onto CTUs. The course is aimed at all those who are involved in packing and consigning goods through the supply chain, including warehouse operators, forwarders, freight depot staff, hauliers and logistics service providers. This practical course contains direct links to the electronic version of the CTU Code.
- Introduction to Freight Container VGM Course explores the verified gross mass requirement, including the two methods permitted in obtaining VGM, being weighing the container once it is packed (Method 1) or weighing all the constituent parts and adding that to the tare mass of the container (Method 2). This course is designed to provide all the information needed to understand why this legal requirement was developed, its objectives and offer practical solutions.
The new courses will follow the tried and tested e-learning format already being used for the Exis IMDG Code e-learning courses, launched in January 2010 to meet the mandatory requirements for training of shore side staff involved in shipping dangerous goods by sea.
The end of course review and assessment will provide a final summary and test understanding of the material covered. A course completion certificate will automatically be generated that can be printed out and kept as a record of training.
The courses are available for the web or as SCORM (learning management system) compliant content packages for national, regional or global training programs. The courses are set up on an e-learning administrator system to enable in-house management for staff undertaking the training, including course configuration, setting pass marks and timeframes for completion and progress monitoring.
Peregrine Storrs-Fox, Risk Management Director, TT Club, commented, “TT Club has long been concerned over the safety implications of badly packed cargoes in containers and other cargo transport units (CTUs). The CTU Code and changes to SOLAS requiring Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of packed containers are important steps in promoting good practice and improving efficiency in the supply chain. Training is clearly the number one loss prevention measure and, if adopted as a core feature of the operator’s culture, can greatly reduce the number of incidents incurred globally each year throughout the industry. These e-learning courses offer high quality and easily accessible training for all those involved in freight transport, each of whom materially impact safety.”
The new courses are also supported by the International Cargo Handling Association (ICHCA).
More information is available at www.ctupack.com
*International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
**International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
ENDS
Notes for editors:
What is the aim of the CTU Code of Practice for Packing of CTUs?
The aim of this IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) is to give advice on the safe packing and securing of cargo into cargo transport units (CTUs) to those responsible for the packing and securing of the cargo, and by those whose task it is to train people to pack such units. The aim is also to outline theoretical details for packing and securing as well as to give practical measures to ensure the safe packing of cargo onto or into CTUs.
In addition to advice to the packer, the CTU Code also provides information and advice for all parties in the supply chain up to and including those involved in unpacking the CTU.
The CTU Code also addresses issues such as training and the packing of dangerous goods. It states, ‘The successful application of this Code concerning the packing of CTUs and the achievement of its objectives are greatly dependent on the appreciation by all persons concerned of the risks involved and on a detailed understanding of the Code. This can only be achieved by properly planned and maintained initial and retraining programmes for all persons concerned with the packing of CTUs.
The online version of the CTU Code of Practice is available here: https://www2.unece.org/wiki/display/TransportSustainableCTUCode/CTU+Code
What are the requirements for verified gross mass (VGM)
In November 2014, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted mandatory amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter VI, Part A, Regulation 2 – Cargo information. The SOLAS amendments, effective from 1 July 2016, place a requirement on the shipper of a packed container, regardless of who packed the container, to verify and provide the container’s gross verified gross mass (VGM) to the ocean carrier and port terminal representative prior to it being loaded onto a ship. VGM is the combined weight of a container’s tare weight and weights of all the packages and cargo items, including pallets, dunnage and other packing and securing materials packed into the container. It can be calculated using one of two approved methods: either weighing the packed container as a whole, or weighing the cargo items and all dunnage, lashing and securing material and adding this to the tare of the container.
About Exis Technologies:
Exis Technologies, headquartered in Darlington, UK, is the leading supplier of compliance systems for the management of dangerous goods in sea transport. For over 25 years major container shipping lines, ports and shippers have been relying on Hazcheck Systems for regulatory compliance, efficiency and safety in their global operations. They serve 80% of the top container lines.
Exis Technologies also develops e-learning courses for the transport industry. IMDG Code e-learning is a cost-effective training solution for shore side staff that has been implemented by half of the top 20 container lines as well as shippers and logistics operations worldwide. CTUpack e-learning is a range of online courses for the safe handling and packing of CTUs, including the new Introduction to the CTU Code and Introduction to Freight Container VGM courses.
About TT Club
The TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. As a mutual insurer, the TT Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.
Customers include some of the world’s largest shipping lines, busiest ports, biggest freight forwarders and cargo handling terminals, to companies operating on a smaller scale but whose operations face similar risks. TT Club specialises in the insurance of Intermodal Operators, NVOCs, Freight Forwarders, Logistics Operators, Marine Terminals, Stevedores, Port Authorities and Ship Operators. The TT Club is managed by Thomas Miller. www.ttclub.com