Maritime News
Unions back call for containers to be weighed
21 June 2012
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The ITF has joined the international shipping industry in calling on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to introduce regulations for loaded containers to be weighed.
The proposal has been put forward because of the safety problems of containers whose weight is not known – posing a risk to both seafarers and dockworkers and all others involved in the transport chain, as well as to the general public.
The formal proposal to the IMO is co-sponsored by Denmark, Netherlands, USA, the Baltic and International Maritime Council, International Association of Ports and Harbours, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), ITF and the World Shipping Council. It will be considered by the IMO’s subcommittee on dangerous goods, solid cargoes and containers, which meets in September.
The co-sponsors are calling on the IMO to introduce a legal requirement for port terminal operators and ships to have a verified container weight in order to export a loaded container. "This will protect workers in the port, on the ship, and other cargo owners against the various risks created by misdeclared containers,” said Peter Hinchliffe, secretary general of the ICS.
Frank Leys, secretary of the ITF dockers’ section, said: “The ITF welcomes this initiative and will continue to work for a safe, productive and sustainable transport industry.”
View the proposals here.
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