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Accident panel calls for container code of practice
An accident report into the investigation of the collapse of cargo containers onboard a UK-registered feeder ship last February has been published by the Southampton-based UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). The findings of the report are likely to have far reaching implications throughout the industry.
- By Frank Kennedy, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 00:05 September 17, 2007
An accident report into the investigation of the collapse of cargo containers onboard a UK-registered feeder ship last February has been published by the Southampton-based UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). The findings of the report are likely to have far reaching implications throughout the industry.
On the evening of February 25, the 2006 German-built 9,981 GRT, 868-TEU Annabella, operated by Isle of Man manager Döhle, encountered heavy weather in the Baltic Sea that caused violent movement of the ship. The ship was on passage from Rotterdam to Helsinki via the Keil Canal.
Subsequently on the voyage it was discovered that the adverse weather had caused a stack of seven 30-foot containers to collapse against the forward part of the hold. Furthermore, the upper three contained hazardous cargo. As a result of this discovery the ship diverted to Kotka, where the boxes were removed.
Structural failure
The Anabella incident follows in the wake of the structural failure and flooding of the container ship MSC Napoli that took place off the UK's South Devon coast last January and MAIB cites this and other cases as demonstrating "a compelling need for a Code of Practice for the container ship industry".
In the Anabella report, the MAIB has recommended to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) that it work with the maritime industry to ensure that effective communications and procedures exist between all parties involved in the planning and delivery of containers to ensure staff onboard ships have the resources and the opportunity to safely oversee the loading and securing of cargo.
In this respect the report emphasises that cargo securing manuals should be comprehensive and in a format which provides ready and easy access to all relevant cargo loading and securing information. Furthermore, computer software programmes for loading operations should incorporate the full requirements of a vessel's cargo securing manual and that these computers should be subject to approval, to ensure that officers may place full reliance on the data produced by them.
The report also says that the provision or otherwise of reliable loading software should be a factor in deciding the manning levels of ships engaged on intensive schedules.
Emphasis is also made regarding the requirement to reduce stack weights when increased acceleration forces act on a vessel when its metacentric height (GM) as per the cargo securing manual has been exceeded, and the report highlights the need for ship's officers to have a clear understanding of this.
Furthermore, the consequential effect on container stack weight, height and lashing arrangements for changes in the vessel's GM should be readily available and on display to concerned ship's staff.
The report also highlights the need for those involved in container operations to be made aware if containers with allowable stack weights below the ISO standard are in use and for these to be clearly marked to avoid the possibility of these containers being crushed.
The report underlines the requirement for the proper management of cargo planning operations with emphasis on proper training, appropriate cargo planning software and pro-activity with respect to procedures in place.
In the case of the Anabella there was evidence of a series of systematic failures that have been reflected in the report. MAIB was also critical of the lack of communication between the shippers, planners, the loading terminal and the ship's crew.
The writer is a Dubai-based Marine Consultant specialising in safety management, security and training.
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