ICHCA to host seminar on new Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units

London, 16.09.13 – ICHCA International, the NGO association for the global cargo handling industry, will be hosting a practical seminar, “Understanding the new IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTUs)”, in London on 22^nd October. Held aboard HQS Wellington on the River Thames, the one-day event will focus on the new Code’s terms, their potential impact, and how they will be enforced globally.

Developed jointly by the International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the new Code of Practice will be far more comprehensive than the original 1997 packing guidelines from the three influential organisations. Applicable to all types of cargo moving in containers, trailers, swap bodies and railcars, the Code will provide parties along the supply chain with information about their responsibilities, including details of how to pack and secure packages and cargo items. It also places a responsibility on the shipper to declare correctly the composition of the cargo, as well as the gross mass of the packed CTU.

As highlighted recently by insurance company TT Club and the Cargo Incident Notification Service (CINS), poor CTU loading is responsible for an alarmingly high percentage of incidents along the transport chain, leading to damage, loss, injuries and fatalities.  According to the TT Club, which is sponsoring and speaking at the seminar, poor packing and securing of cargoes should now be even more of a concern for members of the supply chain than inaccurate container weighing, an issue that has received much attention of late.

“TT Club’s own claims experience shows that 65% of all incidents involve loss or damage to cargo and of these, our analysis suggests over one-third result from poor packing,” says the insurer. Recent data from CINS – an incident reporting system set up by members of the Container Owners Association from five of the top liner shipping companies – reveal that poor or incorrect packaging accounted for almost 40 per cent of incidents over nearly two years.

“Proper packing and securing of cargoes is a matter of universal supply chain concern, and not just in terms of dealing with new global rules,” says ICHCA International Chairman David Bendall.”With the final draft of the new Code being considered at the IMO’s 18^th DSC sub-committee meeting this September, this ICHCA seminar will be a first chance to get a detailed look at its contents and bring all the interested parties together to explore the next steps.”

The seminar will include talks by an expert panel of speakers and professionals from across the cargo chain, including: Bill Brassington, owner of ETS Consulting and consultant for editing the new Code; Chris Welsh, General Secretary of the Global Shippers Forum; Don Armour, Policy Advisor at the Freight Transport Agency; and Keith Bradley, Hazardous Cargoes Advisor at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Brainstorming workgroups will also address key questions around disseminating the Code and training and educating packers.

For the full programme and list of participating speakers, plus online booking, visit www.etouches.com/ichca-ctu-packing

Understanding the new IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTUs)

22 October 2013

HQS Wellington

Temple Stairs

Victoria Embankment

London WC2R 2PN

www.etouches.com/ichca-ctu-packing

ENDS

Information for the media:

For more details and to arrange a press pass, contact Josh Cheetham, Communications & Marketing Assistant at ICHCA International

Tel: +44 (0)20 3327 7560 | Email: josh.cheetham@ichca.com

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 Expert 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 ICHCA Canarias/Africa (CARC) – 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 | www.ichca-australia.com | www.carcichca.com www.jacms.or.jp/kokusaikyouryoku/ichcajapan.html

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