Container Inspection Program (CIP) for dangerous goods

Objective of CIP

• Enforce International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) and shipping and storage regulations for dangerous goods loaded in containers and transported by sea in order to prevent accidents during the transportation of dangerous goods and reduce the risk of human casualties and physical damage, and ultimately aim to protect the maritime environment
  

  * CIP : Container Inspection Program

Background of CIP

• Rapid increase in the number of types and volume of dangerous goods transported by sea has led to a constant threat of catastrophic maritime accidents (among containers of dangerous goods imported from around the world (approximately 3000 types), it is necessary to inspect 3% in order to secure safety)
  

  * IMO recommendation is 10% (IMDG Code 29^th amendment)

• Korea is considered underdeveloped in terms of safety since it does not implement CIP. As a result, dangerous goods (e.g. lighters) are being imported in large quantities from overseas

Legislative basis

International treaties

• Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) Chapter 7 : carriage of dangerous goods
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex Ⅲ : Prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form
• International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code)

Domestic legislations

• Ship Safety Act, Article 41 (Transport of Dangerous Articles)
• Shipping and Storage Regulations for Dangerous Articles, Article 213 (Inspection of Containers with Dangerous Articles)
• Guideline for inspecting Containers with Dangerous Articles (Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, No. 2013-58)

Inspected items

• Whether contents listed in shipping documents match the dangerous goods loaded in the container
• Container Safety Convention plate (CSC plate) for the container
• Exterior of container including damages to the container itself
• Whether stickers or tags indicating danger have been attached and their appropriateness
• Whether approval has been obtained and inspections have been conducted for the type of packaging used to store the dangerous article
• Appropriateness of loading method and fastening
• Whether dangerous goods have been loaded in isolation etc.

Inspection location

• On-dock Container Yard (CY) e.g. container terminal within the port, off-dock CY and warehouse for dangerous goods, container vessels berthed within the port

Expected outcomes

• Raise safety levels in maritime affairs by implementing CIP in order to enhance the international status of Korea as a top 10 shipping country in the world
• Considering the increasing trend in dangerous goods, inspecting approximately 5% of imported containers carrying dangerous goods (approximately 3,000 types) is necessary to secure safety, and implementing the inspection program can contribute to preventing accidents caused by dangerous goods.