Safe Container Operations at Terminals

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a Marine Safety Alert 04-26 following multiple incidents of shipping containers falling overboard from container vessels in port.

The USCG Safety Alert focuses on the risk of the containers falling onto vessels positioned alongside the container vessel during cargo operations. Whilst the investigations into these incidents are ongoing, based on their preliminary findings, the USCG has made recommendations towards managing the risk.  

The recommendations intended for both the managers and operators of vessels and shoreside facilities, broadly put forth the following expectations:

• Developing and implementing procedures for management of vessels positioned alongside the container vessel during active cargo operations.
• Carrying out a pre-cargo operations meeting jointly with the representatives from the container vessel, the vessel positioned alongside and the shoreside entity responsible for cargo operations.

While this identified risk has always existed and has potentially been managed through risk anticipation by the vessel’s crew, the recommendation from the USCG elicits the need for vessels to have written procedures to mitigate the risks.

If the Safety Management System (SMS) has not identified this risk, it is recommended that a thorough risk assessment of the anticipated Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS) during cargo operations is carried out, and mitigating procedures are developed and implemented.

Members are encouraged to bring the Marine Safety Alert 04-26 to the attention of their staff both ashore and onboard their vessels.

For any updates, members are advised to seek information and guidance from their local agents or the Club correspondent, who can provide the most up-to-date information available locally.