VZCZCXRO4517
RR RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB
DE RUEHLO #7225/01 2831439
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101439Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9634
INFO RUWDQAC/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-CI/G-L/G-P/G-PS/G-PC/G-PSO//
RHEFHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 LONDON 007225 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO MARAD, IO/OIC FOR M. MORRISSEY 
COAST GAURD FOR R BORNHORST 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: IMO AORC EWWT UK
 
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO): REPORT OF THE 
ELEVENTH SESSION OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON DANGEROUS GOODS, SOLID 
CARGOES AND CONTAINERS, LONDON, 11 - 15 SEPTEMBER 2006. 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  The eleventh session of the International Maritime 
Organization's Subcommittee (S/C) on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes 
and Containers (DSC) met in London from 11 - 15 September 2006, 
under the chairmanship of Mrs. Olga Pestel-Lefevre (France).  The 
session was attended by delegations from fifty-two member states, 
one associate member, one non-member, two United Nations (UN) 
specialized agencies, three inter-governmental organizations and 
sixteen non-governmental organizations in consultative status. 
Working groups (WGs) and drafting groups (DGs) were formed to 
address several of the agenda items.  USDEL objectives were 
achieved.  Outcomes of particular interest include the following: 
 
¶A.  The S/C finalized the draft amendment (33-06) to the 
International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code which, as amended 
by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), was adopted unanimously at 
MSC 81 by resolution MSC.205(81).  Amendment 33-06 will be published 
fall 2006, will attain voluntary status on 1 January 2007, and will 
attain mandatory status on 1 January 2008. 
 
¶B.  The S/C has made substantial progress on Amendments to the Bulk 
Solid Cargoes (BC) Code and its mandatory application.  A WG was 
formed during DSC 11 to identify mandatory and recommendatory parts 
of the BC Code, including consequential amendments, and to prepare 
amendments to SOLAS chapters VI and VII on making the BC Code 
mandatory.  A correspondence group was formed to continue this work 
intersessionally and to provide a written report and prepare a 
consolidated draft text of the mandatory BC Code for approval at DSC 
¶12. 
 
¶C.  The S/C has completed its work on measures to enhance maritime 
security.  A DG was formed during DSC 11 to finalize amendments to 
the BC Code so as to include appropriate security-related provisions 
similar to those found in chapter 1.4 (Security Provisions) of the 
IMDG code, and instructed the correspondence group on Amendments to 
the BC Code and Mandatory Application to include the finalized text 
in the consolidated draft text of the mandatory BC Code. 
Furthermore, the S/C finalized its work on amendments to 
MSC/Circ.675 (Recommendations on the Safe Transport of Dangerous 
Cargoes and Related Activities in Port Areas) and the IMO/UN/UN ECE 
Guidelines for packing cargo transport units (MSC/Circ.787) subject 
to final approval at MSC 82. END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. Amendments to the IMDG Code and its supplements - The S/C 
considered 16 separate proposals under this agenda item.  Several 
were agreed to in principle for inclusion in future Amendment 34 to 
the IMDG Code, and were referred to the S/C's Editorial & Technical 
(E&T) working group for refinement and consolidation in the draft 
amendment.  Other proposals were either rejected or deferred for 
further consideration at DSC 12 contingent on submission of revised 
proposals.  Also under this agenda item, the S/C noted the outcome 
of the thirty-third session of the Facilitation Committee (FAL) with 
regard to the assignment of a specific UN number and proper shipping 
name to those radioactive materials, in packaged form, which are 
solely used in medical or public health applications.  The S/C 
agreed that this assignment would not be appropriate.  Furthermore, 
the S/C noted that FAL 33 had agreed to an entry in the transport 
document to facilitate transportation of these materials.  However, 
the S/C was of the view that such an entry is multimodal in nature 
and the proposal would need to be brought to the attention of the UN 
S/C of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. 
 
¶3.  Review and mandatory application of the Bulk Solid Cargoes (BC) 
Code - The S/C convened a WG to consider numerous issues under this 
agenda item and made several decisions based on the results of the 
WG's deliberations.  The WG deliberated on two separate issues: the 
mandatory application of the BC Code, including consequential 
amendments to SOLAS and other IMO documents, and the evaluation of 
properties of solid bulk cargoes.  Progress was made on both issues, 
and it was proposed to establish a correspondence group to meet 
intersessionally to prepare a consolidated draft mandatory text of 
the BC Code for the S/C's consideration at DSC 12.  With respect to 
a number of proposals addressing the safe transport of Direct 
Reduced Iron (DRI), the S/C agreed that further information was 
necessary.  Furthermore, the S/C noted that the WG report would not 
be considered at DSC 11 and agreed to include a request for member 
governments and industry to submit information regarding the safe 
handling and transportation of DRI fines in the report of the S/C. 
 
¶4.  Casualty and incidents reports and analysis - The S/C considered 
a casualty report from France involving the loss of a vessel that 
was carrying bulk DRI pellets and agreed to request additional 
information about the hazardous nature of this type of cargo from 
member governments and industry in the S/C report.  The S/C also 
considered a casualty report from Germany involving a general cargo 
where an explosion occurred because the cargo was not declared as 
dangerous.  The S/C agreed that many issues highlighted by the 
 
LONDON 00007225  002 OF 003 
 
 
report should be brought to the attention of the UN S/C of Experts 
on the Transport of Dangerous Goods for due consideration.  The S/C 
also reviewed reports from seven member governments and the 
Secretariat concerning container inspection programs that had been 
 
SIPDIS 
carried out in various countries, and further agreed to urge other 
member governments to submit such reports in the future in 
accordance with MSC.1/Circ.1202.  In addition, the S/C noted that 
only nineteen reports from member governments have been submitted 
regarding the frequency and results of such inspections in 
accordance with MSC/Circ.1147 and urged other member governments to 
submit such reports. 
 
¶5.  Measures to enhance maritime security - As directed by the MSC, 
the S/C continued its work to review instruments under its purview 
for inclusion of relevant security measures.  In particular, the S/C 
considered a report of an intersessional correspondence group and 
established a DG under the chairmanship of the U.K. to complete 
review of the Recommendations on the Safe Transport of Dangerous 
Cargoes and Related Activities in Port Areas (MSC/Circ.675) and the 
IMO/UN/UN ECE Guidelines for packing cargo transport units 
(MSC/Circ.787).  Based on the outcome of the DG and other IMO 
bodies, the S/C agreed to the revised draft Recommendations and 
Guidelines incorporating security measures subject to final approval 
at MSC 82.  Having considered that work on the item had been 
completed, the S/C invited the MSC Committee to delete this agenda 
item from its work programme. 
 
¶6. Guidance on serious structural deficiencies in containers: 
Reporting procedures on serious structural deficiencies - The S/C 
recalled that MSC 80, recognizing the need for guidance for officers 
exercising control under the provisions of article VI of the 
International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), 1972, had 
approved CSC/Circ.134 on Guidance on serious structural deficiencies 
in containers.  The S/C recalled that the purpose of a separate 
reporting procedure was to collect, collate and disseminate reports 
of deficiencies found in inspections of all containers. 
Furthermore, the S/C recalled that at its tenth session it had 
prepared amendments to MSC/Circ.859, but noted that MSC 81 approved 
MSC.1/Circ.1202 which superseded MSC/Circ.859.  It therefore agreed 
not to pursue the matter further and invited the MSC Committee to 
delete this agenda item from its work programme. 
 
¶7.  Review of the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (SPS 
Code) - The S/C recalled that MSC 78 had considered the need to 
update the SPS Code to reflect amendments to SOLAS chapter III and 
the adoption of the LSA Code.  The S/C further recalled that since 
the SPS Code was adopted in 1983, many requirements of the SOLAS 
Convention had been amended and that considerable experience had 
been gained in the Code's application.  Having noted the outcome of 
other IMO bodies and chapter 7 of the SPS Code dealing with the 
stowage of explosives, the S/C instructed the E&T Group to consider 
the matter in detail at its May 2007 meeting. 
 
¶8.  Amendments to the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and 
Securing (CSS Code) - The S/C considered a proposal by Sweden to 
amend the Guidelines for securing arrangements for the transport of 
road vehicles on ro-ro ships (resolution A.581 (14)) such that it 
would be possible for the operator to secure road vehicles on ro-ro 
ships with a suitable number of lashings and a combined strength, 
depending on the requirements for the actual weight of the vehicle 
and the particulars of the ship.  The S/C expressed concerns with 
the proposal and instructed the WG established under the agenda item 
pertaining to guidance on providing safe working conditions for 
securing of containers to consider the proposal in detail and advise 
the S/C accordingly. 
 
¶9. Revision of the LHNS and OSV guidelines - The S/C noted the work 
completed by the correspondence group established at DSC 10 and 
agreed to finalize the guidelines for the design and construction of 
offshore supply vessels and the consolidated set of amendments to 
the LHNS Guidelines, prepared by the SLF S/C and BLG S/C, having 
included therein matters under the purview of the DSC S/C.  The S/C 
also agreed to the draft MSC resolution on Amendments to the Code of 
safe carriage of cargoes and persons by offshore supply vessels (OSV 
Code).  Having considered that work on the item had been completed, 
the S/C invited the MSC Committee to delete this agenda item from 
its work programme. 
 
¶10. Extension of the BLU Code to include grain - The S/C recalled 
that DSC 10 established a correspondence group, under the 
coordination of the United States, to prepare amendments to the BLU 
Code, thus extending the application of the Code to include grain 
and to prepare other consequential amendments.  Having received the 
report of the correspondence group, the S/C agreed to the draft 
resolution on Amendments to the BLU Code (resolution A.862(20)) and 
the draft MSC Circular on Amendments to the Manual on Loading and 
 
LONDON 00007225  003 OF 003 
 
 
Unloading of Solid Bulk Cargoes for Terminal Representatives 
(MSC/Circ.1160) for submission to MSC 82 for approval.  The S/C also 
agreed with the proposal of the correspondence group to have a 
coordinated approach when preparing relevant amendments to SOLAS, 
and instructed the correspondence group on Amendments to the BC Code 
and its mandatory application to take the relevant decisions of the 
S/C regarding this issue into account when preparing amendments to 
SOLAS chapter VI.  The S/C further agreed with the view of the 
correspondence group that BLU Code and the Manual on Loading and 
Unloading of Solid Bulk Cargoes for Terminal Representatives should 
be included as a supplement in the BC Code, and requested the 
Secretariat to work out the details. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
¶11. Guidance on providing safe working conditions for securing of 
containers - The S/C noted that MSC 80 had considered a proposal to 
incorporate guidance on providing a safe working platform for the 
securing of containers, to ensure that ship designers, builders and 
owners take into account the safety and health hazards while 
undertaking lashing and securing tasks in compliance with the ship's 
approved cargo securing plan.  The S/C noted the progress made by 
the intersessional correspondence group under the coordination of 
the U.K. and established a WG under the U.K's chairmanship to 
continue with the work.  Having received a report of the progress 
made by the WG, the S/C decided to establish a correspondence group 
to meet intersessionally, continuing under the chairmanship of the 
U.K., and to provide a written report to DSC 12. 
 
¶12. Review of the Recommendations on the Safe Use of Pesticides in 
Ships - The S/C, at DSC 10, considered two proposals by Germany 
noting that the Recommendations cover three aspects of the use of 
pesticides on board ships: the fumigation of containers and cargo 
transport units subject to the IMDG Code, the fumigation of cargo 
holds containing dry cargoes subject to the BC Code, and the control 
of rodent pests on board all ships.  The S/C agreed the proposal had 
merit and invited the MSC Committee to include the item in the work 
programme of the S/C.  After considering an additional proposal 
submitted at DSC 11 by the U.K., the S/C noted that some of the 
proposed obligations placed on the master may be excessive and 
agreed to the offer of Germany and the U.K. to submit revised draft 
Recommendations to DSC 12. 
 
¶13. Application of Requirements for Dangerous Goods in Packaged form 
in SOLAS and the 2000 HSC Code - The S/C considered a submission by 
Japan (MSC 81/23/5) which indicated possible errors contained in 
table 19.3 of SOLAS chapter II-2 regarding the application of 
requirements to various classes of dangerous goods and possible 
errors in table 717-3 of the 2000 HSC Code.  Japan's submission 
proposed to develop amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/19 and 
chapter 7 of the 2000 HSC Code, and develop an appropriate MSC 
circular on the Document of Compliance with special requirements for 
ships carrying dangerous goods under the provisions of SOLAS 
regulation II-2/19.  The S/C decided to establish a correspondence 
group to complete the work intersessionally and provide a written 
report to DSC 12. 
 
¶14.  Any other business - The S/C agreed that a proposal by Germany, 
which noted that some water-reactive substances react with carbon 
dioxide in hot atmosphere rendering the use of the fire-fighting 
media not only ineffective but even dangerous, had merit and noted 
the intention of Germany to submit an appropriate proposal to the 
Committee for a new work programme item in accordance with the 
Guidelines on the organization and method of work. 
 
¶15.  Chairman/date of next meeting - The S/C unanimously re-elected 
Mrs. Olga Pestel-Lefevre (France) as chairman and Captain Juan Pablo 
Heusser (Chile) as vice chairman for 2007.  The date of the twelfth 
session of the DSC S/C is tentatively scheduled for 24 - 28 
September 2007. 
USDEL sends. 
 
TUTTLE