Approval of Procedures for Sampling, Testing and Controlling the Moisture Content for Solid Bulk Cargoes that may Liquefy – SSB No.: 07/2014

PDF Version

RDIMS No .: 10071127
Date ( Y-M-D ): 2014-11-28

New Requirements for:
 

• Getting TC approval of Procedures for Sampling, Testing and Controlling the Moisture Content for Solid Bulk Cargoes that may Liquefy; and
• Having TC check how you follow these procedures

The Cargo, Fumigation and Tackle Regulations (CFTR), paragraphs 115.(1)(a) and (b), require every shipper of solid bulk cargo that will be loaded onto a vessel in Canadian waters, to comply with:

• SOLAS, Chapter VI, regulation 2; and
• IMO Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes - BC Code (now International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code - IMSBC Code), section 4.

The 92nd session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 92) adopted amendments (02-13) to the IMSBC Code on July 1, 2014. They will enter into force on January 1, 2015.

Under amendments to Section 4 (Assessment of acceptability of consignment for safe transportation), sub-section 4.3 (Certificate of test):

• shippers must adopt, submit for approval by Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security, and follow approved procedures for sampling, testing and controlling moisture content and the transportable moisture limit (TML); and
• Transport Canada will assess and approve the procedures and check how shippers follow the approved procedures, based on the new Circular adopted by the MSC 92 - the Guidelines for developing and approving procedures for sampling, testing and controlling the moisture content for solid bulk cargoes that may liquefy (the Guidelines, MSC.1/Circ.1454).

What this means to shippers

If you offer for transport any solid bulk cargo that may liquefy, by marine mode, the entities issuing certificates of moisture content and TML (e.g. shippers, testing laboratories) must:

• establish procedures for sampling, testing and controlling moisture content as described in the Guidelines, sections 2 to 4; and
• provide these procedures well in advance of intended loading to the nearest local Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security (TCMSS) office.

TCMSS will assess these procedures against IMSBC Code requirements and issue a letter of approval, if the procedures comply. The letter of approval will clearly identify the approved procedures and is valid for five years.

Shippers must provide a copy of this letter to the ship’s master or his representative before loading, together with certificates of moisture content and TML, which are determined by following those procedures.

Entities issuing certificates of TML and certificates or declarations of moisture content are recognized by TCMSS if their procedures for cargo sampling, testing and controlling moisture content are approved by TCMSS. Recognized entities should clearly identify on the certificate or declaration the approved procedures they used to determine moisture content and TML.

TCMSS will check how well entities are following approved procedures through:

• one mandatory check before the first anniversary date of the letter of approval;
• a renewal verification once every 5 years; and
• intermediate verifications in between.

Please also note that starting January 1, 2015, ship masters cannot accept the certificates of moisture content and TML issued by entities without TCMSS approval.

The following document is available for downloading or viewing:
Approval of Procedures for Sampling, Testing and Controlling the Moisture Content for Solid Bulk Cargoes that may Liquefy (110 KB )

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Contact us at: marinesafety-securitemaritime@tc.gc.ca or 1-855-859-3123 (Toll Free).