The International and Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the World Shipping Council (WSC) have published new industry guidance for shippers and container stuffers concerning the safe transport of containers by sea.
Significantly, the guidance is supported by the Global Shippers' Forum (GSF) whose membership comprises regional shippers' bodies from Asia, Africa, Europe and North America.
While ICS and WSC acknowledged that the primary responsibility for the safe transport of containers by sea rests with containership operators, they highlighted the importance of other parties playing their part – including shippers from whom cargo originates.
Particular emphasis was given in the guidelines to the responsibilities of those involved with the correct packing, labelling and weighing of cargoes when they are stuffed into containers; activities which have a direct bearing on the safety of ships and reduction of risks to the lives of ship's crews and other personnel in the transport chain.
The guidance is extracted from "Safe Transport of Containers by Sea – Guidelines on Best Practices" – which was published by ICS and WSC late last year.
The Industry Guidance for Shippers and Container Stuffers is being distributed free of charge throughout the global shipping industry and can be downloaded at www.marisec.org/containers