AMSA launches container securing inspection campaign in Australia

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(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will run a focused PSC inspection campaign on cargo securing arrangements for container and unitized cargo from 1 August to 31 October 2020.

Background

This focused inspection campaign has been initiated by AMSA in response to several incidents where containers have been lost into the sea and the subsequent identification of inadequate cargo stowage and securing arrangements most notably involving Yang Ming’s YM Efficiency and APL’s APL England.

AMSA inspections discovered that the improper stacking and securing of cargo, as well as poor maintenance of securing equipment are likely to have been contributing factors to these incidents.

This is an Australian initiative focusing on cargo stowage and securing arrangements onboard vessels arriving at Australian ports. The focused inspection campaign will target vessels that have, or are required to have, cargo stowage and securing arrangements approved under regulation 5 of Chapter VI of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention (a copy of the SOLAS can be obtained from various websites or specialist marine bookshops).

AMSA expects all cargo to be carried in full compliance with the vessel’s Cargo Securing Manual as approved under Regulation 5.6 of Chapter VI of SOLAS.

Collapsed containers on container ship Ever Smart

Inspections

Where possible, inspections will take place concurrent with routine port State control inspections.

Standalone inspections may also take place where the vessel is not eligible for port State control inspection. These standalone inspections are not port State control inspections, and the data will not be transmitted to regional port State control databases. However, where a vessel is deemed non-compliant, and clear grounds exist, the AMSA inspector may proceed to a full port State control inspection.

Where non-compliances are found, AMSA will take the necessary steps to bring the ship into compliance.

AMSA encourages ship owners and masters to familiarise themselves with the approved cargo securing manual for their vessel and Marine order 42 which gives effect to Chapter VI of SOLAS in Australia.

AMSA Inspectors will follow a checklist when conducting the focused inspections.  This checklist is available to download below:

 

 

 

 

Source: AMSA

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