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To ensure compliance with Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1997, regulation 4(2) (b) it is required that a CCTU [Closed Cargo Transport Unit] used for the carriage of Class 1 Dangerous Goods Explosive Substances and Articles is inspected by a SAMSA surveyor. Such an inspection must be undertaken before shipment of the CCTU but after it has been properly packed and contents secured at the packing depot.
Where CCTUs are packed at a port, the exporter, shipper or their agent can request the attendance of a SAMSA surveyor from the local SAMSA office. Where CCTUs are packed in the Pretoria/ Gauteng area, the SAMSA Pretoria office must be contacted for the inspection. A service request form must be accompanied by a Packing List for each CCTU.
Should a product not appear on the packing list sent to SAMSA during the time of application, but is present at the time of inspection, the SAMSA surveyor may refuse the inspection of the CCTU.
Non-Hazardous cargo shall not be stowed with Class 1 Dangerous Goods Explosive Substances and Articles in the same CCTU.
The inspecting surveyor will, in addition to the examination for proper stowage, segregation and securing of the contents inside the CCTU, make a visual external examination to confirm suitability for carriage of Class 1 Dangerous Goods. The SAMSA surveyor has the authority to refuse the issue of a certificate of inspection if he or she considers that the CCTU is substandard or unfit for service. The SAMSA surveyor will also ensure that the five exposed surfaces of the container are marked with appropriate labels and that the doors are subsequently sealed.
Notwithstanding the above, the onus is upon the shipper to ensure that any CCTU intended for the carriage of Class 1 hazardous cargoes is structurally serviceable for class 1 cargo and in ‘cargo worthy’ condition. If so requested, SAMSA may conduct a pre-loading inspection to ensure that the container is suitable for carriage of Class 1 Dangerous Goods.
The SAMSA surveyor will, if he or she is satisfied with the above-mentioned arrangements issue a certificate of inspection within 24 hours after completion of the inspection. It is important to ensure that this certificate of inspection is submitted when requesting service for the subsequent inspection before the CCTU is loaded on a ship. This is necessary to ensure the vessel is fit to carry Class 1 Dangerous Goods Explosive Substances and Articles and to ensure the stowage is in accordance with the IMDG Code stowage requirements…
…A second certificate of inspection will be issued to the master of the vessel if the SAMSA surveyor at the port is satisfied that the vessel is fit to carry Class 1 Dangerous Goods Explosive Substances and Articles and that the stowage complies with the requirements of the IMDG Code.
Shippers are reminded of the mandatory training requirement of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code for shore side personnel involved with dangerous goods. The training shall be provided or verified upon employment and revalidated periodically. Records of the training shall be kept by both the employer and the employee.
Shippers are urged to use the latest IMDG Code (as amended) or risk dangerous goods shipments being rejected at the point of loading…
(For further details and information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at [email protected])
Source: Extract from South African Maritime Safety Authority Marine Notice No. 36 of 2020 dated 26 June 2020