IMDG Code requires portable tanks to undergo 2.5-year and 5-year periodic inspections and tests.

40^th amendment of IMDG Code has added a new provision, 6.7.2.19.6.1, which states  

“Except as provided for in this paragraph, portable tanks which have missed the timeframe for their scheduled 5-year or 2.5-year periodic inspection and test may only be filled and offered for transport if a new 5-year periodic inspection and test is performed according to 6.7.2.19.4.”

IMDG Code 40-20 part 6, chapter 6.7

Quoting ITCO’s Guidelines to interpret above

If the 2.5-Year Intermediate Inspection and Test is undertaken beyond 3-months of the date of expiry and as a consequence the test is replaced with a 5-Year Periodic Inspection and Test, the next test will be due after the full term of 2.5-years from the date of the test and the next 5-year test becomes due after the full term of 5- years.

Source ITCO Periodic Inspection

Shippers, tank operators, carriers and ports may adopt IMDG Code 40^th amendment on a voluntary basis from 1^st January 2021 pending it becomes mandatory from 1^st June 2022. Most carriers will adopt IMDG Code 40^th amendment as mandatory from 1^st March 2022.

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