Rolling out of vaccines has brought assurance in everyone across the world as we hope to leave behind the most difficult time of COVID19 pandemic.

Container industry is still plagued with cargo fires. GARD estimates at least one fire every two weeks. Most of the fires are originating from self-heating cargo, inadequately packed dangerous goods and batteries.

The issue of mis-declaration is still an ongoing threat to carriers and lives at sea as these unknown (mis-declared) dangerous goods may be placed anywhere on-board ships without the knowledge of crew which when involved in an incident may result in unprecedented damage, loss of lives and pollution to environment.

In Jan 2020 UKP&I and TT Club released updated version of  Book it right and pack it tight – Guidance on packing dangerous goods for carriage by sea  in line with IMDG code amendment 39-18.

In July 2020 National Cargo Bureau, NCB, published a white paper “A Comprehensive holistic approach to enhance safety and address the carriage of undeclared, misdeclared and other non-compliant dangerous goods. Recommendations in this white paper is a must read to all those involved in transport of dangerous goods by sea.

In Sept 2020 Cargo Integrity Group (COA, GSF, ICHCA, TT Club & WSC) published ‘CTU Code – a quick guide’ & Container packing checklist. Guide covers end to end process of container packing with references to CTU Code.

IMDG Code 40^th amendment (40-20) is published which will come into force from 1^st June 2022  instead of January 1, 2022. There are many changes incorporated in the new amendment.

As a small initiative for spreading awareness across the industry, in 2021, I will be publishing a series of explanatory videos covering application and implementation of IMDG Code, classification, packaging, consignment, documentation, packing of CTU, shipboard operations and emergency response.

I thank you for your continued readership and engagement.

Wish you a very happy new year 2021.