Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum publishes guidance on the presentation and loading of vehicles

The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum (VCSF) has published its first industry good practice guidelines titled “Common Guidance on the loading and presentation of vehicles”.

The guidance and supporting checklist are intended to reduce the risks associated with the shipment of unaccompanied vehicles, including electric and hybrid vehicles, and to promote the safety of terminal and vessel personnel and the protection of property, including the vessel itself.

The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum is a consortium of vessel operators, insurers and other industry experts, whose role is promoting safety on vessels designed to carry vehicles. The guidance is supported by industry bodies The International Group of P&I Clubs, The International Chamber of Shipping, and the TT Club.

The guidelines are intended to be used in conjunction with specific procedures from individual vehicle manufacturers, shippers, terminals, or carriers in respect of information such as vehicle separation on board the vessel or emergency response.

“The guidance is designed [to] assist vessel operators and their partners in the transport chain to discuss the safety aspects of booking, planning, presenting vehicles at the terminal, the loading and stowage of vehicles onboard and monitoring during the voyage,” said Philip Bacon, Vice President Commercial Operations of Siem Shipping, who is part of the Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum Steering Committee. “The guidance has been written to be used in conjunction with procedures already in place on ships, at terminals and in the wider transport chain.”

Article reprinted with permission from Shipping Australia.