A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on 16 March 2023 by representatives of the five organisations:
- Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS)
- Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP)
- Container Owners Association (COA)
- International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA)
- Ship Message Design Group (SMDG)
The participants have a commonality of purpose to create a framework for cooperation that enables each group to benefit from each other’s activities in respect of their strategies in areas of joint interest. These will, in the immediate future concentrate on improved safety during the global transport and handling of goods that have the potential to cause injury to the workforce and/or damage to the environment and the goods themselves.
John Beckett, Chair of ICHCA commented, “This unique grouping of industry leaders has the potential to coordinate data, research and best practices across the broad spectrum of the international movement of cargo. A key goal is to create an awareness throughout the freight industry, amongst operators, regulators and policy makers as to practical and effective measures to improve safety.”
A fundamental part of the group’s output will be publications, an aim that is close to the heart of Deputy Chair of CINS, Dirk Van de Velde, “As an example of where immediate attention is required, container ship fires are high on the list,” he said. “The combined knowledge, experience and database resource of the signatories to this MOU, managed in a coordinated manner, have massive potential to leverage change in safety processes. We will be publishing guidance on the treatment of lithium-ion batteries, among other cargoes, in the near future.”
In search of practical changes that will alleviate such dangers, the MOU calls for coordinated efforts both on regional and international issues of common concern and engagement with relevant regulatory bodies including the IMO and other appropriate United Nations agencies.
Other stated aims include working together to initiate innovative worldwide surveys and studies that can assist with the furtherance of these organisations on behalf of their members and associates. There will also be sharing of research findings and publications to strengthen information exchange, while avoiding duplication of effort by pooling resources.
