The Cargo Integrity Group (CIG) is urging national administrations to conduct and report the results of their container inspection programs and is calling the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to continue compiling and making these findings publicly accessible.
This initiative aims to support efforts to enhance safety in the transport of goods by sea.
More than 20 years ago, IMO member governments adopted resolutions committing to routinely inspect containers and their packed cargoes consistently.
The results of these inspections are to be submitted annually to the IMO for collation and reporting, allowing for a global overview of compliance with international regulations and recommended practices, and enabling the identification of potential safety improvements.
However, an analysis by CIG partner organizations shows that fewer than 5% of the 167 national administrations involved are regularly submitting their inspection findings to the IMO in a publicly available format.
The CIG is concerned about the low reporting rate, as the lack of sufficient data undermines efforts to improve the safety and sustainability of sea shipments.
The CIG acknowledges that some countries may be inspecting containerized goods entering or leaving their ports but are failing to submit their findings to the IMO as agreed. Without these submissions, there is no shared benefit to the global community, according to CIG.
CIG partners stress that consistent reporting of inspection findings is critical to directing communication and training programs aimed at raising awareness of safe practices for container transport. These include the SOLAS Convention, CSC Convention, IMDG Code, and CTU Code.
The risks posed by improperly packed, mishandled, or mis-declared containerized cargo have been highlighted by recent fires and explosions on container ships. While investigations into these incidents are ongoing, the CIG is concerned that existing measures to identify potential weaknesses are not being fully enforced, missing opportunities to improve safety standards.
Additionally, CIG is alarmed by reports that the IMO may consider stopping the collation and publication of these inspection findings in an easily accessible format.
