Global cargo handling association ICHCA International (ICHCA) focusses on helping ships transporting ammonium nitrate to manage risks in a whitepaper detailing guidance for fire prevention and mitigation.

The risks posed by poor conditions of storage of this common compound, which is used extensively in the Fertilisers and Explosives industries, have been well documented but awareness of the dangers of fire during transportation by sea is less well known.  The objective of this guide, entitled ‘Ammonium Nitrate Fire Risk on Board Ships’ is to outline best practice with respect to the management of risk on vessels chartered to ship the compound through ports around the world.

Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃), a white to grey odourless chemical has a melting point of 169 degrees C and decomposes at 210 degrees C. While it does not burn by itself, significantly it will accelerate burning of combustible material, producing toxic oxides of nitrogen and ammonia, which will support combustion, even in the absence of oxygen.

“These properties in particular demand careful consideration of how and where ammonium nitrate is stowed on board vessels that are used to ship large volumes around the world,” says the paper’s lead author Brian Devaraj, who is a member of ICHCA’s Technical Panel. “Ammonium nitrate fires can escalate out of control very rapidly. To mitigate consequential loss of life and damage, the provisions laid out in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) should be complied with at all times.”

The whitepaper outlines in detail ammonium nitrate’s peculiar reactions to heat and subsequent conflagration, as well as the nature of its decomposition.  These characteristics mean that the specifications of vessels’ equipment, including deck cranes, hatch covers, hold linings, fuel tanks and pumps, also forklifts and other handling devices, must be precise.  The whitepaper offers comprehensive guidance on these particulars.

Above all however from a fire prevention point of view emphasis is put on compliance with IMDG Code, which typically requires ammonium nitrate to be stowed on deck only.  The Code does however allow an exception for certain forms of the compound and fertiliser containing it to be stowed under deck.  The rules for this are outlined in clause 7.6.2.8.4.

“This seemingly unremarkable clause is in fact crucial to safe shipping of ammonium nitrate,” explains Devaraj in the whitepaper. “7.6.2.8.4 states that certain UN Numbers of the product may be stowed under deck in a clean cargo space capable of being opened in an emergency, including need to open hatches in case of fire to provide maximum ventilation and to apply water.  This of course precludes a hold containing ammonium nitrate to be over-stowed with another cargo.” 

The whitepaper is at pains to underline that while all IMDG clauses are pertinent to fire risk, all ships and cargo operators must be particularly cognisant of Clause 7.6.2.8.4. as it is crucial to the ability to respond effectively if an ammonium nitrate fire on board a ship is out of control and the risk of an explosion is imminent.

The intention of the clause is that all a vessels’ hatches – including tween decks- shall be openable in case of an ammonium nitrate fire. There is however potential to misunderstand this point and ICHCA is working with the IMO and stakeholders to clarify the wording of the clause.  Several jurisdictions, that handle the product in significant quantities, have taken heed of this risk and the related IMDG requirements. At the time of publishing, three countries that have specific arrangements are Australia, South Africa and Chile. The guidance of these authorities is contained within the whitepaper which is available for free download until Friday 9 December 2022:

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.

Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.com

The global association representing cargo handling companies, ICHCA International (ICHCA) is delighted to welcome Transport Events, the organisation responsible for coordinating some of the largest trade events in the industry as a new member.

09 November 2022

This new partnership has been welcomed by both parties as a framework to support their mutual interest in the dissemination of knowledge, best practice and commentary on the challenges and issues facing the global cargo handling community.

In welcoming the new member, Richard Steele, ICHCA International’s CEO stated, “Co-operation with key industry organisations is critical to the safe and efficient performance of today’s increasingly complex supply chains.  At ICHCA we remain committed to our efforts to improve safety, security and sustainability and with the help of Transport Events Limited, we can continue to spread our key messages, across Africa, Asia and Europe.

With nine events already planned for 2023, Transport Events Limited is a leading organizer of influential industry forums around the world. Managing Director, Rory Doyle commented on the union, “For a number of years we have admired the dedicated work of ICHCA in providing guidance on safety and other crucial issues in the cargo handling industry.  We share many of the Associations values and through our network of meetings and conferences, we hope to give an even louder voice to the important ICHCA messages in the future.”

The current calendar of events hosted by ICHCA’s new member can be found here: http://www.transportevents.com/ForthcomingEvents.aspx

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.

Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.com

The global association representing cargo handling companies, ICHCA International (ICHCA) is delighted to welcome International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada as a new member

As a leading voice in a crucial sector of the global supply chain, ICHCA brings together a wide range of players that perform a vital role in driving the world economy.  The addition of one of the leading labour organizations in Canada will be a tremendous asset in carrying out ICHCA’s primary mission of maintaining and improving safety in all aspects of cargo handling.

ILWU Canada has long advocated for workplace health and safety for its over 7000 members on the west coast of Canada. We believe that re-establishing our membership of ICHCA is an important step.  We feel it is important for ILWU Canada in engage at the international level in the areas of health and safety.  We hope to engage in work at the technical panel level with ICHCA.  It is important to have workers voices at the table.

ICHCA’s has privileged NGO status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Labour Organization (ILO) and other key UN agencies which allows it, on behalf of its members to monitor, contribute to, and influence the development of regulations and guidelines that impact cargo handling and movement worldwide.

“We at ICHCA are proud of the role we have in improving industry standards through coalescing the expertise and knowledge of the world class organizations that make up our membership.  The addition of ILWU Canada to that number is a significant positive step in exerting our collective influence over that improvement,” commented ICHCA’s CEO Richard Steele.  “To count ILWU Canada within our number provides additional evidence of ICHCA’s expanding reach across all aspects of the vast business of moving cargo around the world.”

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.

Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.com

Further support to comprehensive safety guidance issued by a collective of organisations late last year has been received through its endorsement by the International Chemical Transport Association (ICTA).

Drawing on the combined expertise and experience in the movement of dangerous goods around the world, several global trade organisations — International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA), International Vessel Owners Dangerous Goods Association (IVODGA), National Cargo Bureau (NCB) and World Shipping Council (WSC) – jointly issued a White Paper entitled, ‘Safety Guidance for Dangerous Goods Storage and Handling Facilities’¹ in December last year.

A number of influential industry stakeholders² have subsequently endorsed the Guidelines and now the International Chemical Transport Association (ICTA) can be added to the list. Richard Steele, CEO of ICHCA welcomed the additional support,

”To make a real difference to the standards of safety in supply chains that feature hazardous materials, it is vital to reach all involved and create a critical mass of like-minded partners. The endorsement of our work by such an authoritative voice as ICTA is therefore decidedly welcome.”

A pivotal element of the White Paper is a Warehouse Checklist. A practical management tool, the Checklist format is a significant addition to the other elements of the White Paper. Broken down into eight key functional areas of operation, its fourteen-pages are designed to be comprehensive yet easily digestible as an everyday device for maintaining safety management vigilance. 

For its part ICTA sees the White Paper and the safety efforts it represents as a step forward in guiding operators to improve their already high standards, “Chemical supply chains rely on an interplay of different actors to deliver dangerous goods safely across the globe,” commented Douglas Leech, Chair of the ICTA Transport & Security Committee. “Chemical distributors cooperate closely with logistical and warehousing companies to make this happen. These guidelines will help them to jointly prevent incidents in their warehouses – keeping workers, neighbors, and the environment safe.”

¹ Both the Dangerous Goods Warehousing White Paper and Checklist are downloadable from here https://ichca.com/warehousing-safety-guidance

² Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), Bureau International des Containers (BIC), Container Owners Association (COA), Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA), Danish Shipping, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA), International Group of P&I Clubs (IGP&I) and Through Transport Mutual Insurance Association Ltd (TT Club).

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.

Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.com

About ICTA

The International Chemical Trade Association (ICTA) represents the global chemical distribution industry and promotes safe and sustainable chemical supply chains. The chemical distribution industry has an important role in enabling chemistry to make a positive societal impact. Aside from taking responsibility for their own operations, chemical distributors interact with their customers and suppliers to help them to work more safely and securely. Based on their deep knowledge of chemicals and global markets, chemical distributors enable innovative chemical supply chains that deliver low-impact products invaluable for global welfare. For more information visit www.icta-chem.org.

World food security and biodiversity is at risk from contaminating pests.  Plant pests and diseases are responsible for the loss of up to 40% of global food crops and trade losses exceeding $22bn annually.

The lead UN body, the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures has created a phytosanitary expert Focus Group to look at potential pest contamination on sea containers.  Recognising the need for supply chain input, they asked industry to form a Container Cleanliness Industry Advisory Group (CCIAG) to provide advice, suggestions and recommendations on:

• cleanliness of the interior and exterior of intermodal freight containers and their cargoes
• risks of pest contamination in the international containerized supply chain.

We are pleased to report that our application to join the CCIAG has been accepted. Managing contaminating pests is best approached through collective effort that includes plant protection, industry and other stakeholders. Critically, ICHCA’s role is to work with stakeholder partners to ensure safety is “baked in” to the delivery of practical and sustainable outcomes.

Next steps… a major International  workshop on reducing the introduction of pests through the sea container pathway, London, UK on 19-20 September 2022.

Contact us at secretariat@ichca.com for more information about the conference.

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.

Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.com

The global association representing cargo handling companies, ICHCA International (ICHCA) is delighted to welcome Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest container shipping line as a new member with representation on its Board of Directors

15 June 2022

As a leading voice in a crucial sector of the global supply chain, ICHCA brings together a wide range of players that perform a vital role in driving the world economy.  The added knowledge and experience that the number one container shipping line brings will be a tremendous asset in carrying out ICHCA’s primary mission of maintaining and improving safety in all aspects of cargo handling.

Dirk Van de Velde is MSC’s Chief EHSQ Officer and will be take up a board position at ICHCA.  “MSC has determined the Environmental, Health, Safety and Security Quality Governance topics (EHSQ) that are most relevant to our business, we have identified our priorities and are building on communication with the maritime stakeholders.  Our membership of ICHCA is a logical step following this assessment and the expansion of our activities,” commented Van de Velde. “In addition, we want to help address the increasing risks and calamities in the maritime supply chain today. In 2010 we created the Cargo Incident Notification System or CINS organization, however since then serious calamities have only increased.  We are joining ICHCA because of its focus on EHSQ and to contribute to its related proactivity.”

With its wealth of online resources, guidance and training programmes as well as an active Technical Panel, which constantly initiates and researches innovations and best practice across safety and operational efficiency issues, ICHCA has attracted corporate and individual members from all sectors of the supply chain where cargo is moved. 

ICHCA’s has privileged NGO status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Labour Organization (ILO) and other key UN agencies which allows it, on behalf of its members to monitor, contribute to, and influence the development of regulations and guidelines that impact cargo handling and movement worldwide.

“We at ICHCA are proud of the role we have in improving industry standards through coalescing the expertise and knowledge of the world class organizations that make up our membership.  The addition of MSC to that number is a significant positive step in exerting our collective influence over that improvement,” commented ICHCA’s CEO Richard Steele.  “To count MSC within our number provides additional evidence of ICHCA’s expanding reach across all aspects of the vast business of moving cargo around the world.”

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.

Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.com