On May 30 in Peterhof the XVIIth International Conference “Multimodal Transports of Dangerous Goods. Fuel of the Future. Way to the Sustainable Development” took place. The Conference was held at the high level of organization – such an opinion was expressed by most of the participants, among them were such organizations and companies as GK “Rostec”, AO “Uralcryomash”, PAO “Geliymash”, OOO “Arkticheskaya Perevalka”, PAO “Novatek”, FGUP “Krylov State Research Centre”, “RusChemAlliance” LLC, OOO “Gazprom-neft Shipping”, OOO “EuroChem Terminal Ust-Luga, AO “New Technologies in Transportation”, OOO “H2 Invest”, OOO “Fenix” (Port Bronka), ZAO “TK “Chempack”, OAO “Lukoil-NN”, Federal State Budgetary Institution “Russian Standardization Institute” and many more.

In spite of the subjects “Fuel of the Future. Way to a Sustainable Development” the stable communication between manufacturers, scientific institutions, regulatory authorities, road, maritime, river, rail and air transport carriers was built that give an opportunity to produce the common safety and quality concept in carrying out multimodal transports of dangerous goods – just the concept, which is usually discussed at all the conferences organized by the Non-Commercial Partnership “IDGCA”. In the course of debate and discussion of reports topical current problems involving most often the insufficient regulatory support of transports of dangerous goods, authorization of competent bodies and determination of status of regulations released by them came up.

A great discussion was given up to issues of harmonization of international standards with national ones and also manufacture of modern equipment for storage and transportation of new ecologically clean fuel types (LNG, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol).

The conference participants were pleasantly impressed by favourable environment, beautiful hotel situated on the bank of Olga’s Pond, opening speech of Head of Peterhof Municipal Administration and evening informal social gathering and everything that took place this day.

Forthcoming event, which the IDGCA plans to organize, will be IIIrd Meeting of Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers that will be held this October.

Over the years from 2001 the International Dangerous Goods & Containers Association put out the bilingual journal.

The journal developed the international reputation, it was well known in International Maritime Organization, UN Sub-Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, international institutions and also had a lot of subscribers among Russian companies and organizations.

Because of financial difficulties in the pandemia period the issue of journal was suspended and the decision was taken to renew it in July. In the first half of the year it is planned to issue two numbers and in 2024 it is scheduled to put out six issues every two months.

The journal retains its own exclusivity, bilingualism and design. From June, 1, 2023, the subscription for the journal will be started. It is planned to report on the conference in the july issue and publish the most interesting papers.

The work of the Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, industry committees, International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and other organizations will be regularly highlighted. There are plans to write some columns on prevention of emergency situations, columns where opinions of scientists, experts, representatives of regulatory authorities and business.

We invite all our partners, students, which took training courses in our training centre, to support the issue of the journal and enter a subscription to it.

Conference in Peterhof is expected to be interesting and advantageous for all the participants, which will gather toghether in the "New Peterhof" hotel close to the magnificent Olga's Pond.

For the first time in the frame of International Conference " Multimodal Transports of Dangerous Goods" not only carriage of dangerous goods will be considered, but also problems and outlook for use of new ecologically clean types of fuel such as liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, methanol, ammonia.

Although plants for LNG, hydrogen, ammonia and methanol production were already built, LNG terminals were put into operation, issues of logistics, safety, manufacture of new equipment continue to be acute on the agenda.

The purpose of the Conference is to provide a background for both attending a lecture and mutual communication, exchange of views, provide the basis for signing contracts and agreements. Participation in the online mode is expected at the Conference too and those who can't be present at the hall for some reasons, will have an opportunity to address speakers and conference participants using the virtual platform.

A number of leading Russian companies confirmed their attendance at the conference, among them State Corporation "Rostec", Eurochem Group AG, PAO "Cryogenmash", AO "Uralcryomash", Port "Bronka", OOO «Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsynthez», OOO "Portovaya-LNG Gazprom", and also representatives of Rostechnadzor, Rostransnadzor, Federal Agency on Technical Regulation and Metrology and other.

Representatives of more than 100 Russian large organizations and enterprises were invited for participation in the Conference.

The event program provides for busy schedule as well as refreshment and excursion.

The Conference organizer is International Staff Training Centre.

Applications for participation in the Conference can be sent to e-mail addresses - istc@idgca.org, info@idgca.org.

Contact telephone numbers : +7(911) 928-95-75, +7(905) 222-51-38, +7(905) 222-51-28, +7(812) 740-20-19.

On April 27, 2023 the IDGCA experts took part in the TC 114 meeting. According to the order of the day reports on the activities of the TC 114 and proposals for change in its structure and composition were considered.

Oleg Bogachek, Head of the TC 114 working group "Metal-composite vessels and cylinders", came up with a suggestion on the TC structure change. Its suggestion concerned a forming the Sub-Committee SC 01 "Metal-composite vessels and cylinders" in the TC 114 on the basis of present working group.

The purpose of its creation is to make the strategy in the standardization sphere for the next 5 years, development of procedures and regulations in assigned activity field, and also organization and performance of works within the frame of national, interstate (regional) and international standardization in the field in accordance with the law.

This proposal as well as suggestions on the TC 114 composition change due to the incorporation of two new members and expulsion of four organizations which were disbanded and/or ceased their activities, was passed unanimously.

Therefore, in the near future the order on the TC 114 "Oxygen and Cryogenic Equipment forming will be amended accordingly.

According to a report released on the website 47 News, on May 2, 2023 on the federal road A-180 “Narva” in Kingisepp district an ammonia leakage from a tank vehicle took place. 79th fire and salvage unit team mitigated the consequences. Although the leakage according to the information source was of “droplet“ nature, this event is a near-miss of more serious incident. It will be remembered that ammonia is toxic and at the same time corrosive substance, we wrote about it on our website http://www.idgca.ru/ in the section “News and comments” on April 24, 2023.

The information that IDGCA experts had is insufficient for carrying out of the incident cause analysis. In compliance with European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) which applied as national regulations in the Russian Federation anhydrous ammonia shall be transported as regards tank vehicles in hermetically closed tank for liquefied or dissolved gases with bottom openings for filling or discharge with three shut-off devices with minimum test pressure 26 bar (for tanks with thermal insulation) or 29 bar (for tanks without thermal insulation). For that special-purpose “AT vehicle”, intended for the carriage of dangerous goods in fixed tanks or demountable tanks with a capacity exceeding 1 m³. or in tank-containers, portable tanks or multiple element gas containers (MEGCs) with an individual capacity exceeding 3 m³. Also the ADR regulations specify the requirements concerning conformity assessment procedures, inspections and tests and other. It stands to reason that in the presence of three independent shut-off devices in good working order in tank design a substance leakage even if “droplet” would be hardly probable.

At the forthcoming XVIIth International Conference «Multimodal Transports of Dangerous Goods. Fuel of the Future. Way to Sustainable Development” which will be held on May 30, 2023, in Peterhof the emphasis will be upon issues related to ensuring the safety of transport of dangerous goods, in particular, anhydrous ammonia. Participants of the conference will get answers to the questions arising in the course of transports and storage of dangerous substances.

On 30 May 2023 the XVII International Conference addressed to development of new technologies in the sphere of production and transportation of ecological fuel types will be held in Peterhof. The conference organizers provide a full information about properties of fuel new types, including dangerous in terms of their storage and carriage.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is widely regarded as one of promising fuel types and already now means of transport with hydrogen engines are not rare. However, during development of technical solutions in the field of hydrogen energy it must be kept in mind the high specificity of hydrogen.

There are two modifications of hydrogen - as orthohydrogen and parahydrogen. In an orthohydrogen molecule the nuclear spins (intrinsic moments of impulse) are like-directed (parallel) and in parahydrogen oppositely directed (antiparallel). In real conditions liquid hydrogen undergoes a spontaneous ortho-para conversion during its storage and transport. The ortho-para conversion carries slowly enough without catalyst and as in such a case heat release occurs, which is close in value to vaporization heat, then it is reasonable to make the catalytic conversion else at the stage of production of liquid hydrogen.Liquid hydrogen under atmospheric pressure has the boiling temperature -252,87 ?C and very low density 0,07 ò/ì, whereby the use of hydrogen in liquid is problematic.

Hydrogen may both serve as fuel in engines and be used for generation of electric power in fuel cells (chemical electric power sources), which is consumed by motors of electric vehicles. According to UN classification hydrogen is a dangerous good, hazard sub-class 2.1.(flammable gases).

Hydrogen can be stored as refrigerated liquefied gas (UN 1966),in compressed condition (UN 1049) and also in metal-hydride-based storage systems (UN 3468). Liquid hydrogen shall be transported in closed and open-ended cryogenic vessels and also in portable tanks. Requirements to cryogenic vessels are specified in the instruction P203 of the UN Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (further UN Model Regulations) to portable tanks - in the instruction T75 with its special provisions TP5 (requirements concerning degree of filling) and TP34 (requirements to special aspects of testing for portable tanks not for rail transport).

Compressed hydrogen should be transported in compliance with requirements of instruction P200 of the UN Model Regulations, which specifies that this dangerous good should be transported in tubes, cylinders, pressure drums, cylinder bundles and also multiple-element gas containers.

Hydrogen in metal-hydride-based storage systems shall be transported in accordance with provisions of the instruction P205 and also with due account for special provisions 321 and 356 of the UN Model Regulations.

Methane

Natural gas is rated among the most prospective energy carriers in transport, its major component (97-99%) is methane (chemical formula CH4). It can be used as fuel, but, besides that, technologies of fuel oil synthesis from it are applied, which is similar in their properties to common automobile fuels. As promising alternate fuels derived from natural gas are considered methylic alcohol (methanol), ethyl alcohol (ethanol) and dimethyl ether.

By their properties mentioned alcohol fuels are suitable both for use in positive ignition engines and for their application in compression ignition engines.

According to UN classification methane is a dangerous good, hazard sub-class 2.1. (flammable gases). Methane can be stored as refrigerated liquefied gas (UN 1972) and also in compressed condition (UN 1971).

Liquid methane shall be transported in compliance with requirements of the same instructions as liquid hydrogen (P203 and T75).

Compressed methane shall be transported in accordance with requirements of the instruction P200 of the UN Model Regulations as compressed hydrogen.

Methanol

Methanol (chemical formula CH3OH) is prospective alcohol fuel too, its industrial production has been mastered in many countries. But cost of methanol production in comparison with common engine fuels is much higher. Alcohol fuels have a number of significant drawbacks, among them it should be noted their toxicity (particularly with regard to methanol), corrosiveness and aggressivity to aluminium alloys, rubbers and other construction materials.

According to UN classification methanol is a dangerous good, hazard class 3 (flammable liquids), its assigned number is UN 1230.

Methanol in accordance with requirements of the UN Model Regulations shall be transported in packaging (instruction P001), IBC (instruction IBC02) and also portable tanks (instruction T7 with special provision TP2).

Ammonia

Along with the above-mentioned there are technical proposals and developments on use of anhydrous ammonia NH3 in engines of vehicles, in particular, its mixture - 95% of ammonia and 5% of hydrogen.

Such a fuel burns out with generation of water vapours and harmful nitrogen oxides (NOX), which are detoxified using the catalytic converter. This idea is quite popular although ammonia is toxic and enters into active reactions with other substances. Nevertheless it is more simple to store and transport it than hydrogen and its cost is considerably lower.

Anhydrous ammonia in compliance with the UN Model Regulations has main hazard sub-class 2.3 (toxic gases) and additional hazard class 8 (corrosive substances).

Ammonia according to requirements of the UN Model Regulations shall be transported in packagings (instruction P200) and in portable tanks (instruction P50).

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Sustainable development and combating climate change are interlinked. Both goals are vital for human well-being. A more sustainable global economy built on new technologies will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change. This concept has been proclaimed by the UN, and many countries, including Russia, are striving for it.

One of the solutions to these global problems is the transition to new fuels, and especially in all forms of transport.

LNG, hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol are the most promising types of fuel.

The problem of transition to new types of fuel is not only to improve the technology of production, but also to create new safe types of equipment for their storage and transportation.

It is clear that all these fuels are hazardous cargoes. To ensure safety of their transportation new International Safety Standards are being developed and applied in the construction of ships as well as other types of transport and transport equipment.

Maritime and river transport has advanced considerably in this direction, and it is no coincidence that the International Maritime Organization has long been a leader in this field. How to make sense of it all, which directions in the use of new types of fuel are the most promising, and how soon will that be realized?

We will discuss all this at the forthcoming conference which will take place on May 30, 2023 in Peterhof.

We invite representatives of companies producing different types of fuels, experts from scientific organizations, representatives of business and administrations to the conference.

The operator of the conference is the International Staff Training Center.

In accordance with paragraph 1.4.3.1 of the UN Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (ST/SG/AC.10/Rev.22, UN, New York and Geneva, 2021), high-risk cargoes are cargoes that can be used not according to purpose, but for terrorist purposes and therefore lead to serious consequences, such as numerous loss of life, massive destruction or, especially for Class 7 cargo, massive social and economic disruption. Similar definitions are contained in the rules for the carriage of dangerous goods by various modes of transport (IMDG Code, ADR, ADN, RID, Annex 2 to SMGS).

On February 28, 2023, Federal Law N 53-?? dated February 28, 2023 "On Amending the Federal Law "On Transport Security" and Recognizing Certain Provisions of Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation As Invalidated" came into force. This legislative act, without repealing the effect of the Federal Law ? 99-?? dated May 04, 2011 "On Licensing Certain Types of Activities" and the provisions on licensing for inland waterway and rail transport adopted as part of its implementation, clarifies the procedure for submitting high-risk cargo for transportation. According to this document the requirements to obtain special permits for transportation of high risk cargoes by railway and inland water transport as well as for transshipment of high risk cargoes in river ports are canceled. At the same time, the document provides that high-risk cargoes are allowed to be transported by railway and inland water transport vehicles if there is a notification in the form of an electronic document (message) sent to the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Transport or its territorial body using a Unified State Information System of Transport Security, and this requirement comes into force on February 29, 2024.

The list of high-risk cargo was approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation ? 341 dated March 10, 2022 (entered into force on March 1, 2023 and is valid until March 1, 2029).

Federal Law ? 53-?? of February 28, 2023 also clarifies the procedure of implementation of measures of protection against acts of unlawful interference provided for by certificates of transport security of road transport vehicles used for transportation of dangerous goods and plans of transport security of transport infrastructure facilities used for loading, unloading and storage of high-risk cargo, as well as dangerous goods, transportation of which requires a special permit, issued in accordance with the procedure provided for in paragraph 13 of Article 11 11 of the Federal Law ? 257-?? dated November 8, 2007 "On Motor Roads and Road Activities in the Russian Federation and Amendment of Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation".

On March 1, 2023, the All-Russian intersectoral practical conference "Paraformaldehyde - 2023" will be held.

Each dangerous goods listed in the UN Model Regulations has its own characteristics and specifics of packaging and transportation, and also requires careful study before it is shipped and used.

The organizing committee of the conference invited the management team of IDGCA NP to participate and give a lecture.

The participants will be presented with a report on the activities of IDGCA NP and the participation of the Association in improving the Regulations for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods.

The report will demonstrate special conditions and hazards when working with paraformaldehyde.

The ISTC is one of the few educational institutions that trains inspectors, both in the category of civil servants and departmental ones, who are entrusted with the functions of controlling the transport of dangerous goods.

For more than 15 years, the ISTC has repeatedly trained and assessed employees of Rostransnadzor, customs authorities, port control inspectors and inspectors of large Russian and foreign companies.

The practice of training and retraining has shown the need for regular advanced training of the inspectors, and this is understandable, since international rules and guidelines are reissued every 2 years and new requirements are introduced into them, and sometimes new chapters.

The ISTC, with the methodological assistance of IDGCA NP, updates the training programs, which makes it possible to bring the latest requirements to our students.

At the end of March, the next training of inspectors under the 40-hour program is planned.

Those who wish to study can send an application.

In many areas of activity related to the operation of hazardous industrial facilities, as well as the transport of dangerous goods, a risk-based approach is increasingly being used, although there are no mandatory requirements for its application in international and national legislation. Despite the tightening of the requirements of both international and national legislation in the field of transportation and handling of dangerous goods, major accidents and catastrophes with dangerous goods continue to occur, claiming human lives and causing enormous material and environmental damage. Such incidents include the explosion of ammonium nitrate in the seaport of Beirut on August 4, 2020, the fire in the port of Iskenderun in southern Turkey on February 6, 2023, the fire at the container terminal in Bangladesh on June 5, 2022, as well as the recent incident in the US state of Ohio, the consequences of which has not yet been evaluated, despite the unprecedented measures taken.

Causes of accidents and disasters can be different. As a rule, they occur due to the improper technical condition of vehicles and transport equipment, violations of the rules for placing and securing cargo, etc. And, as the accident in Ohio showed, the fact of insufficient attention to the condition of main and access railway tracks can lead to large-scale negative consequences. Let's take a closer look at this incident.

As it became known from a number of mass media reports, in the evening of February 3 Norfolk Southern freight train with more than a hundred cars crashed in the town of East Palestine. Several tanks contained vinyl chloride, a substance used in the production of polyvinyl chloride, a plastic widely used in various fields of engineering and construction. On February 5, local authorities decided to drain the chemical and then destroy it by incineration. Before the start of the operation, people living less than 1 mile from the crash site were evacuated. As a result of the combustion of vinyl chloride, phosgene (recall that this is a chemical warfare agent) and hydrogen chloride were thrown into the air.

What is vinyl chloride? Its chemical formula is CH2=CHCl. According to UN classification VINYL CHLORIDE, STABILIZED is a dangerous substance, has UN number 1086, hazard class 2.1 - flammable gases. The boiling point of the substance is minus 13°C, the melting point is minus 154°C. Flash point is minus 78°C, self-ignition temperature is 472°C. Explosive limits in air 3.6-33 vol. %. It is highly soluble in chloroform, dichloroethane, ethanol, ether, acetone, hydrocarbons, oil and slightly in water.

Safety rules for the transportation of vinyl chloride, as well as the procedure for emergency situations with this substance, are given in a number of regulatory documents. In particular, emergency card ? 205 (Emergency cards for dangerous goods transported by railways of the CIS, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Estonia, approved by the SZHT CIS, protocol dated May 30, 2008 ? 48, as amended on November 22, 2021) prescribes in case of an incident, take the car to a safe place, isolate the danger zone within a radius of at least 200 m, correct the indicated distance based on the results of chemical reconnaissance, evacuate outsiders, and also take a number of other measures. To dissipate (isolate) the gas, use sprayed water, cover the spill site with air-mechanical foam, an inert material. The chemical reconnaissance and work managers should use portable breathing equipment (within 20 minutes). Emergency crews should use insulating gas masks and overalls. In case of fire, use flame retardant suits complete with self-rescuers. But we can see that the actions of the liquidators in Ohio were somewhat different.

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Qualitative advanced training of the management and engineering staff of the enterprise, whose activities are related to the operation of hazardous production facilities and the transportation of dangerous goods, is not an easy task for any educational institution. The task becomes even more challenging when students have decades of experience working at the most complex facilities, and their knowledge is at a high professional level. That is why our center carefully prepares for any courses and tries to give students something new that increases their level of professional knowledge.

The relaxation in the pandemic requirements allowed the training center to conduct classes directly on the rooms of the center, which, of course, made it possible for direct communication between teachers and trainees, although it is fair to say that distance learning using modern technologies also gives trainees who are thousands of miles away from St. Petersburg a wide opportunity to listen to lectures, participate in program discussions, and take exams.

From January 16 to January 20, the first classes in the new 2023 were held in St. Petersburg. Two large companies, Sakhalin Energy LTD and EuroChem Terminal Ust-Luga LTD, sent their specialists to the International Staff Training Center (ISTC) to improve their skills in handling dangerous goods and receive the title of dangerous goods advisor, which is awarded to trainees who have successfully passed exams and passed certification at the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association. Moreover, specialists from EuroChem Terminal Ust-Luga, LTD were trained online, while specialists from Sakhalin Energy, LTD were trained directly at the training center.

Thanks to communication with representatives of such companies, ISTC teachers receive new information, which will be used in the future in organizing the next courses. The next training of Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors is scheduled from 13 to 17 February 2023.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the completion of its annual revision of its industry guidelines for cargo transportation, ground handling and operations, which has resulted in updates to many core industry standards. These changes reflect the industry's commitment to further improving safety, introducing more modern technologies, and improving the quality of passenger service and cargo handling. First of all, this concerns the

With over 1.25 million shipments of dangerous goods transported by air each year, it is important that the rules and regulations that ensure the safe transport of such substances and items are reviewed to reflect changes in safety and operation. Lithium batteries have received particular attention here as consumer demand for electronic devices such as tablet PCs and small personal mobile devices continues to grow.

In addition, changes have been made to the Standard Procedures for Preloading Advanced Cargo Information (PLACI), the Landing Guide for Passengers with Reduced Mobility, pet travel procedures, and the Recommendations for the Design and Operation of Systems for Preventing Collisions with Ground Support Equipment.

By order of the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology, a new national standard GOST R 70620-2022 "Anti-terrorist security. Terms and Definitions"" was approved. The standard recommends the main definitions in the field of anti-terrorist activities, which is very important for the general understanding and use of terminology in order to ensure a uniform interpretation of the established requirements. The document became the first Russian standard in the field of antiterrorist security.

The relevance of developing a national standard in the field of ensuring the anti-terrorist protection of facilities (territories) is associated with the changes made to the legislation of the Russian Federation on countering terrorism since 2013 up to the present.

As part of the "Formation of a network of transport and logistics centers" project, by the end of 2024, it is planned to commission the Primorsky transport and logistics center, which will be built near the Vozdvizhensky railway station near the town of Ussuriisk in Primorsky Krai. The Primorsky Center will be located near the main port infrastructure of the region and border checkpoints. A preliminary analysis showed that, taking into account the presence of a cargo base in the region, the terminal's workload is guaranteed. It is expected that the terminal will provide services for the transshipment, storage and accumulation of containerized cargo coming from the ports of Primorsky Krai, which will ensure the growth of Russia's trade turnover with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region.

According to available statistics, dangerous goods account for about 20% of the total volume of goods transported in containers. In this regard, companies that are responsible for the transport of goods by several modes of transport and prepare goods for shipment need to pay special attention to the training of personnel whose activities are related to dangerous goods. Cargo can be transported both in conventional high-capacity containers and in specialized ones, including tank containers.

Center (ISTC) takes into account the specifics of training specialists for multimodal operators. At the same time, the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association recommends that shippers, carriers and consignees have specialists who have been trained under the "Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor" program and undergo certification at the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association. The presence of Advisors in the company can reduce the risk of dangerous goods incidents and will facilitate the efficient transport of dangerous goods.

Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 106) adopted mandatory International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code).

A new mandatory safety code for ships carrying industrial personnel - aimed at ensuring the safety of people transported to work on offshore facilities including windfarms - has been adopted by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 106), which met from 2 to 11 November 2022.

The new Chapter XV of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the associated new International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code) were developed by the IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 8).

The aim is to provide minimum safety standards for ships that carry industrial personnel, as well as for the personnel themselves, and address specific risks of maritime operations within the offshore and energy sectors, such as personnel transfer operations. Such personnel may be engaged in the construction, maintenance, decommissioning, operation or servicing of offshore facilities, such as windfarms, as well as offshore oil and gas installations, aquaculture, ocean mining or similar activities.

The amendments and Code are expected to enter into force on 1 July 2024.

The International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association and the International Staff Training Centre will adjust their training programs to reflect the content of the new IMO instruments.

The forty-first session of the Joint Meeting of Experts on the Regulations annexed to the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN) (ADN Safety Committee) will take place from 23 to 27 January 2023 at the Palais des Nations (Geneva). The following items are on the provisional agenda for the session:

• Election of officers
• Matters arising from the work of United Nations bodies or other organizations
• Application of the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN)
• Proposals for amendments to the Regulations annexed to ADN
• Reports of informal working groups
• Program of work and schedule of meetings
• Other issues and approval of the report

In considering the application of ADN, the status of ADN, special permits, derogations and equivalents, the interpretation of the Regulations annexed to ADN, the training of experts, and issues relating to classification societies will be discussed.

Experts of "IDGCA" NP plan to take part in the session.

On December 23, at the International Staff Training Center (ISTC), classes on a 40-hour training program for dangerous goods safety advisers were completed. These were the last classes of the year 2022. The course participants were representatives of organizations whose activities are related to the transportation and handling of dangerous goods by sea and river transport, as well as employees of sea and shore terminals.

We would like to note that the above mentioned program is usually adjusted before the start of classes, taking into account the interests of all students working in different sectors of the economy. Sometimes special attention is focused on the transportation of specific types of goods and requirements for transport equipment. At these courses, the trainees received comprehensive information for work with ammonia and ammonium nitrate. The trainees were also informed about the results of such international organizations as the UN Subcommittee of Experts on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) during 2022. According to the results of the training and certification, all students received certificates of advanced training and certificates of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association.

The training program and the dates of the next courses for January-February can be found on the website of the International Staff Training Center.

On December 13, Baltic Customs officers were trained at the International Staff Training Center (ISTC) of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association. The purpose of the training was to gain additional knowledge and skills to control the turnover of ship fuel and oil reserves. Sampling of fuels and lubricants, determination of the quantity and quality of petroleum products, special safety measures when performing work on ships of sea and river transport, and much more were the subject of lectures and consultations during the training seminar. Lecturers and speakers were representatives of Rostransnadzor, experts from the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association, and surveyors from "Russian Register" JSC.

"Russian Register" JSC has been acting as an independent survey organization (inspection body) for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in carrying out any type of survey work, including bunker survey.

The International Staff Training Center (ISTC) conducts training and training seminars in various areas. The next training for specialists whose activities are related to the transportation of dangerous goods and bunkering will be held from December 19 to 23, 2022 remotely.

The last training of Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors in 2022 with a further certification at the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association took place from December 19 to December 23, 2022. The training program has been corrected in accordance with the decisions verified on the latest results of the ECOSOC Subcommittee of Expertise on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (61st session), held from November 28 to December 6, 2022, and the reports of the International Maritime Organizations (IMO) regarding the transport of dangerous goods. The program also covers international requirements for specialists involved in handling activities in sea and river ports. The course of lectures is based on the latest editions of the UN Model Regulations (edition 2021), IMDG Code with amendments 40-20 (2021), ADR (2021), ADN (2021), RID (2021), ICAO Technical Instructions (2021-2022), GHS (2021).

Despite rather small number of hours (40 academic hours for management and engineers), students acquire the necessary knowledge to work with dangerous goods in all modes of transport, terminals and warehouses and increase their erudition in terms of risk management when working with dangerous goods, including at the facilities where they are located, handled and transported. The program for rank employees is 24 academic hours.

Students who demonstrate the results of the state exam receive certificate from the training center, the result of the international classification society DNV. The Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) certificate is issued in two languages - Russian and English.

In November 2022, IDGCA NP developed and implemented a new form of certificate that ensures compliance with international rules and standards. Students who completed training earlier, but no more than two years ago, can exchange their certificate for a new format analog certificate at the IDGCA.

Those wishing to undergo training can send a formal application to the ISTC.

Organization of transportation of a batch of oversize and heavy cargo is unique each time and requires from participants of cargo delivery careful preparation of vehicles (vessels, trains, cars and others), proper cargo packing, reliable and tested means of fastening, approval of schemes of fastening and cargo placement, readiness of handling terminals and, of course, training of specialists.

Unique practical experience in organization of transportation of oversize and heavy cargoes belongs to German company Kuehne+Nagel, which at present, due to certain circumstances, transferred its competences to Russian company NOYTECH together with its experienced staff. The chain of safe delivery of cargo necessarily involves independent surveyors involved in the work by various parties: sometimes by cargo owners, sometimes by insurance companies, sometimes by consignees. Inspections are often carried out by several surveyors representing the interests of different organizations. It all depends on the value of the cargo, its destination and the complexity of cargo operations, as well as the shipper’s desire to reduce the risk of possible incidents.

For many years, Kuehne + Nagel (NOYTECH) Company has been cooperating with the independent survey company Russian Register JSC. NOYTECH applied to the surveyors of Russian Register to help in sending wind power plants. The surveyor’s main task is to check that the cargo is not damaged, that it is properly placed and secured in accordance with the approved securing scheme and to carry out a strength calculation. The surveyors of Russian Register JSC, as well as other participants in the process, successfully completed the task.

The UN Model Regulations for the Transport of Dangerous Goods and industry regulations based on them (IMDG Code, ADR, ADN, Annex 2 to SMGS, RID Regulation) do not state that grain is dangerous goods. However, enterprises engaged in the transportation and processing of grain may in some cases be involved in the transportation and processing of seed cake, an agricultural crop related to grain. In accordance with the provisions of the above documents, dangerous goods include:

• Seed cake with more than 1.5% oil and not more than 11% moisture (UN ? 1386) and
• Seed cake with not more than 1.5% oil and not more than 11% moisture (UN ? 2217).

Since 2003, the International Staff Training Center (ISTC) has developed and implemented more than 20 training programs for personnel in various areas of activity, primarily in the field of transport of dangerous goods, where the ISTC holds leading positions among other training centers. This is facilitated by close interaction with the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association, which has a consultative status in the UN Subcommittee of Experts. Areas not related to the transport of dangerous goods, such as "Risk Management", "Radiation Safety", "Power Management", "Internal auditor of quality management systems in accordance with the requirements of GOST R ISO 9001-2015 and GOST RV 0015–002–2020”, “Internal auditor ISM & IPS” and others are also in demand.

Despite the difficult geopolitical situation, the International Staff Training Center not only continues to train employees of Russian and foreign companies, for which the courses it provides remain relevant and necessary, but also develops new training programs in accordance with the requirements of clients.

These include the new direction “Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) Auditor”, recommended for specialists responsible for safe work at industrial and transport enterprises, primarily at oil and gas facilities, where there is a risk of dangerous incidents and accidents, as well as for specialists of independent audit companies. The next HAZOP Auditor training courses are scheduled to be held from 15 to 18 November 2022.

At the same time, online from November 14 to 18, 2022, the next training of Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors and their certification at the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association will take place.

From November 28 to December 6, Geneva, Switzerland will host the 61st session of the UN ECOSOC Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. The provisional agenda for the session is available at www.unece.org.

This session, among others, will consider the document in the development of which the experts of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association took an active part in the informal working group on FRP receptacles (composite receptacles). The document involves making a number of changes and additions to Chapter 6.9 of the UN Model Regulations, namely, to the new Chapter 6.9.3. It is noted that along with the new requirements for the manufacture, testing and certification of FRP, the informal working group put forward a proposal to add a requirement for a documented quality assurance system that complies with the basic principles of generally recognized quality standards and ensures that serial products comply with the prototype FRP service equipment approved by the competent authority. The proposal is based on a pilot study presented in informal document INF.3 (58th session).

Also, the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association, in accordance with the decision of the UN ECOSOC Subcommittee of Experts, will prepare and submit to the Subcommittee a new informal document on pre-testing samples of packaging for resistance to chemicals prior to testing in accordance with the UN Model Regulations.

In the period from November 14 to 19, 2022, as part of the annual Transport Week in Moscow, the events of the XVI International Forum and Exhibition "Transport of Russia" will take place on the territory of the Gostiny Dvor complex, which are timed to coincide with the professional holiday – Transport Worker's Day.

At the invitation of the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation (MINTRANS RUSSIA), Alexander V. Sukhanov, President of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association, Gennady Yu. Moshkov, will personally participate in the industry conference on ensuring transport safety on the topic: “Transport safety: from concept to practical implementation and long-term development strategy” and will speak to the participants and guests of the conference as a person involved in the creation of transport safety system.

The "regulatory guillotine" is a tool for a large-scale revision and cancellation of regulatory legal acts that negatively affect the overall business climate and the regulatory environment in Russia. This state initiative began with the abolition of 30,002 regulations on January 1, 2021.

Unfortunately, this "guillotine" hit indiscriminately on many aspects, including those that directly affect safety, but in no way have a negative impact on business. In this case, we are talking about training of personnel in the framework of the implementation of mandatory licensing requirements for maritime and inland water transport.Decrees of the Government of the Russian Federation ¹ 1243 dated July 21, 2021 "On licensing of activities for transportation of dangerous goods by inland water transport, sea transport and maritime towage activities” and ¹ 2111 dated November 30, 2021 "On licensing of handling activities in relation to dangerous goods in inland water transport and in seaports" have eliminated the need for specialized training of personnel in the field of dangerous goods for license applicants and provide for just rank-and-file employees for handling dangerous goods in their staff. Meanwhile, all international conventions and agreements, most of which have been ratified by the Russian Federation, require the mandatory training of such specialists, and not just one or two persons, but all those who directly work with dangerous goods. And there is a reason for that, because most of the tragedies and accidents with dangerous goods occur due to the fault of personnel who work with dangerous goods, but do not have enough knowledge and have not undergone enough training.

The most tragic and illustrative example of this was the events in the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. According to experts, due to the negligent attitude of the port staff to the performance of their duties and their ignorance of the dangerous properties of ammonium nitrate, 210 people died and about 6 thousand people were injured, buildings in the city were seriously damaged, about 300 thousand residents were left homeless. It is unlikely that this would have happened if the person responsible for storing this high-risk cargo in the warehouse had received appropriate training and was properly responsible for the storage of dangerous goods.

Millions of people are involved in the transport, handling and storage of dangerous goods, including shippers, carriers and consignees. At each stage of transportation and for each mode of transport, the transport, handling and storage of dangerous goods is regulated by international and national legal documents. Having a license to carry out certain types of activities, including handling activities, by no means guarantees safe work with dangerous goods, since licensing is, in fact, an act of registration of a legal entity engaged in such activities, which in no way relieves officials of responsibility for possible consequences.

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From September 26 to September 30, the International Staff Training Center (ISTC) is training specialists whose activities are related to the transportation of dangerous goods. The program includes issues of transportation of dangerous goods by tankers, safety management and ship security.

The Training Center is constantly improving training programs and introducing new tools recommended by international organizations in order to reduce the risk of accidents. Almost every training program in various areas includes a special topic of risk management and risk-assessment.

Currently, the groups are being formed for training on a special training course prepared with the methodological assistance of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association, for specialists of enterprises and organizations engaged in the manufacture of packaging. It includes topics such as classification and labeling of dangerous goods; requirements for the design, manufacture and testing of packagings; requirements for certification of production and production of serial products, and others.

For 2 weeks, from August 15 to 26, 24 employees of enterprises engaged in handling of dangerous goods were trained at the ISTC. The training combined classroom studies and classes using telecommunication technologies.

Course graduates who have successfully passed the exams and meet the requirements for advisers in the transport of dangerous goods in terms of work experience are presented for certification in the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association.

The next Dangerous Goods Handling Training Course will take place from 5 to 9 September. In addition, at the end of September, specialists will be trained in a comprehensive program that includes blocks related to the protection of ships and port facilities, security management, as well as health and environmental protection.

The International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association is currently the only organization in Russia that certifies advisers.

The latest edition of the UN Model Regulations (UN Model Regulations) issued in 2021 introduced a new Chapter 6.9 concerning portable composite tanks. This was preceded by extensive work in the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts, in which representatives of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association participated actively. The initiator of the new chapter 6.9 was the Russian Federation represented by the innovation center «Skolkovo».

In addition to Chapter 6.9 of the Model Regulations, a new section was proposed for service equipment for composite or metal shell portable tanks. The head of the informal working group is Assistant Professor Ivan Sergeichev.

This work is now almost complete and the final version of the provision 6.9.3 Requirements for the design, construction, inspection and testing of fibre-reinforced plastic(FRP) service equipment for portable tanks will be considered at the next meeting of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts from 28 November to 6 December this year.

IDGCA experts also took an active part in the development of this topic and made practical contributions to the work, in particular, proposed compromise options for the introduction of requirements to the UN Model Regulations for the quality system of manufacturers who produce equipment for the transport of dangerous goods and inspection requirements.

More than 3,500 managers and specialists of large companies and enterprises who have been trained at the International Staff Training Center (ISTC) and subsequently certified by the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association (IDGCA) work in the Russian Federation and abroad.

Since 2003, ISTC had been located in Strelna on the St. Petersburg Highway, 47. In 2020 the institution changed its address, and now its actual address coincides with the legal: St. Petersburg, 35, Marshal Govorov Str., of. 436 and 440. In 2020 due to the pandemic ISTC switched to a new technology of teaching. At present, the training process is carried out in a combined format, including both webinars and offline training. The modern equipment provided by ISTC enables trainees to participate in the training process either online or directly in the classroom.

The same format is used for IDGCA final examinations and certification of graduates. Each workplace of the trainee in the training class is equipped with a personal laptop, connected to the Internet and a database of international and national regulatory documents in their latest editions. If necessary, individual students from other cities are provided with laptops to connect to the webinar remotely, for example, in a hotel. All this allows the trainees to gain knowledge in the most convenient form without reducing the level of training.

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Mikhail Ognev, Director General of NP «IDGCA» gave an interview to «Moskovskaya Gazeta» on August 1, which we publish on our website. We will be glad if visitors of our site express their opinion and agree or disagree with the opinion of the author.

Russia may face a shortage of containers, the publications «Infotrans», «Vgudok» and «RBC» write. Foreign operators leave the Russian market, Russian-leased containers leave with export abroad and do not return because of reduced imports to Russia. The magazine «RZD-partner» reported in May that there are not enough containers in the Russian transport market. «Moskovskaya Gazeta» discussed the situation with representatives of the industry

In light of the departure of international lines, the Russian market faced the withdrawal from the container fleet, which accounted for about 40% of all equipment used for transportation in/out of and through Russia, told «Moskovskaya Gazeta» in PJSC «Transcontainer».

«The shortage of containers remains one of the key risks for the industry, - noted the management «Transcontainer». - But today the situation has stabilized: the volumes of carriers who have suspended their work are replaced by containers of Chinese and Russian owners who actively buy containers or rent them. The situation is also positively influenced by the measures of the Government of the Russian Federation to stabilize the market, including the elimination of import duty on containers and subsidizing the interest rate on the purchase of containers abroad. These measures encourage Russian residents to replenish their container fleet».

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Certification of advisers (consultants) on the safety of transport of dangerous goods was introduced into world practice in 1996. The requirements for organizations of certifying advisers are laid down in the regulations of ADR, ADN, RID, Annex 2 of SMGS.

According to these requirements, the certification organization should not be training. It must also be competent and independent of any individuals or legal entities who hires advisers. The International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association («IDGCA») fully complies with these requirements, the competence of Association was confirmed by the granting of consultative status in 2004 by the UN ECOSOC Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the Globally Harmonized System of Hazard Classification and Labelling of Chemical Products.

The Association has currently certified about 1000 advisers, the data about which are presented on the official website of «IDGCA». The certificate of adviser is valid for 5 years. If after the expiry of this term the adviser has not passed the next certification in the «IDGCA», he is deprived of this title, and the certificate loses its force. The practice of the Association in the field of certification of dangerous goods safety advise is positively assessed by the Russian inspection bodies, and has also found support from foreign colleagues.

From June 27 to July 6 in Geneva, at the Palais des Nations, a regular meeting of experts on the transport of dangerous goods and the classification of hazardous substances will be held in accordance with the approved program.

During the meeting of the Subcommittee, meetings of formal and informal working groups will be held online and offline.

As always, representatives of states and non-governmental organizations will take part in the session. According to the results of the session, decisions will be made as part of the further development of the UN Model Regulations and the Globally Harmonized System of Hazard Classification and Labeling of Chemical Products.

The Secretariat of the UN Sub-Committee of Experts sent the UN Model Regulations and GHS to "IDGCA" in Russian and English. These documents are the basis for the training of safety advisers for the transport of dangerous goods, who are trained by the ISTC and certified by the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association.

The lack of high-capacity containers, disruption of logistics chains have led to the fact that carriers are trying to use containers for transportation, which for a long time were not used as transport equipment, but were used as a warehouse. Inspection organizations with sufficient experience and training in this area can determine the technical condition of the container and its suitability for further operation.

At the same time, the owner, buyer, seller, etc. can make a preliminary assessment of the container, but for these purposes they must be trained and educated accordingly. From July 4 to July 6, ISTC will conduct special courses on containers under the program, which includes the study of the CSC and CCC-72 conventions, applicable ISO standards, as well as repair methods and conditions for the safe operation of containers, including containers intended for the transport of dangerous goods.

Any transport of dangerous goods, which includes two or more modes of transport, one of which is sea, refers to multimodal transport. Most international transport is multimodal. For persons who, to one degree or another, are involved in such transportation, the ISTC has prepared a special training program, the learning of which allows you to ensure the safe transportation and handling of dangerous goods by various modes of transport.

In the period from 20 to 24 June, the ISTCwill train specialists under this program. Persons who successfully mastered the program and meet the requirements of "IDGCA" NP will be awarded certificates of advanced training, as well as internationally recognized certificates of advisors for the safe transport of dangerous goods.

A container terminal in Bangladesh suffered an explosion and a massive fire. This tragedy claimed more than 50 human lives. About 300 people were wounded. This is practically the second largest tragedy after the explosion of ammonium nitrate in Beirut, where the tragedy claimed the lives of more than 200 people and led to huge destruction.

The suspected cause of the severe spread of the fire is the improper storage and handling of hydrogen peroxide (? 2014 and ? 2015 according to the classification of the UN Model Regulations). As the temperature rises, hydrogen peroxide can release copious amounts of oxygen, which contributes to the spread of the fire.

Various flammable and other types of dangerous substances were stored in containers at the terminal. It can also be assumed that those responsible for the safe handling of dangerous goods in both Beirut and Bangladesh were not properly trained and were unable to assess the risk of possible explosions and fires in certain situations.

There can be many reasons for the fire and explosion; this will be determined by the investigation. But we can safely say that when handling dangerous goods, attention should be paid to many aspects, such as the correct stowage of cargo in a container, cargo compatibility, choosing the right packaging, temperature conditions, the distance between containers when they are placed at the terminal and following the recommendations prescribed by international organizations and, first of all, the International Maritime Organization.

The International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association expresses its condolences to the families of the dead and injured.

It can be assumed that the world community will again take additional security measures when working with dangerous goods and develop additional tools.

International rules and standards are the national treasure of countries that participate in their development, study and implement them in national requirements and in the industry.

An important role in the development of international rules and standards is played by non-governmental organizations that have a consultative status in international organizations.

The transport of dangerous goods by various modes of transport is regulated by dozens of international regulations and many standards.

The leading international institutions in this area are the UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the international organization for standardization ISO.

A set of rules and standards helps to organize the safe and cost-effective transportation of dangerous goods.

"IDGCA" NP has a consultative status in the Subcommittee of UN Experts, and is also actively working in the international organization for standardization ISO in terms of improving standards.

On June 7, experts of "IDGCA" NP participated in the informal working group of the Subcommittee of UN Experts on the development of new rules regarding the manufacture of fittings and valves for portable tanks made of composite and metal-composite materials.

The new section of the Rules will be presented for discussion by the UN Experts at the upcoming 60th session in Geneva, which will be held from June 27 to July 6.

Today, June 8, the discussion of new requirements for cryogenic technology in terms of portable tanks for the transport of cryogenic liquids, within the framework of the ISO/TC 220 committee, ended.

One of the requirements of international regulations regarding the transport of dangerous goods is the training of personnel whose activities are related to dangerous goods.

These rules also determine the categories of people who must be trained.

For example, ADR requires every company engaged in the transport of dangerous goods by road to have a specially trained person - an adviser in safe transport of dangerous goods.

The International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association, almost since its foundation in 2001, has certified more than 3,000 advisers in the transport of dangerous goods for various companies and organizations in Russia and abroad.

One of the important aspects of confirming the qualifications of an Adviser and his ability to ensure safety when working with dangerous goods is his certification.

"IDGCA" NP conducts such certification within the framework of a specially developed procedure, regardless of the examinations conducted by training centers.

Certification procedure includes not only a test of knowledge of the Rules, but also the ability to apply them in practice. In this regard, the certification commission of the Association considers the job descriptions of an applicant for the title of adviser and his practical experience in working with dangerous goods. The international practice of certification of experts, advisers and other responsible persons provides for the separation of training specialists and their certification. The International Association follows this practice.

"IDGCA" NP has a consultative status in the UN Subcommittee of Experts and today is the only independent international organization that carries out such certification in Russia. The results of the certification of the next group will be published on Tuesday, May 31.

Another group of European seafarers was trained at the International Staff Training Center on the course "Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Tankers on Inland Waterways (ADN)".

The training was held in English, which required serious preparations from the ISTC teaching staff.

Examinations and certification of ADN experts were also held in English at the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association.

The ISTC was highly appreciated by European seafarers.

Approval documents issued by the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association are recognized by many European shipping companies.

In June, the next group on ADN for Russian and foreign seafarers is planned. Certified specialists receive an internationally recognized document and are entered in the register of experts on the website of "IDGCA" NP.

Experts of NP «IDGCA» considered the amendment to the standard ISO 21014:2019/Cryogenic vessels - Cryogenic insulation performance (ISO/TC 220 ISO 21014:2019/DAmd 1). This document defines practical methods for determining the thermal insulation characteristics of cryogenic receptacles. These methods include measurements of thermal insulation technical parameters in both open and closed cryogenic systems. Based on the results of the analysis of the amendment, the experts recommended the secretariat of ROS ISO to vote for it positively.

The International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association is a member of the Technical Committee on Standardization «Oxygen and cryogenic equipment» (TC 114).

On May 23-24 and May 30-31, online training will be held for specialists responsible for the quality and safety of products at enterprises manufacturing containers and packaging for the transport of dangerous goods by all modes of transport.

The training is based on the UN Model Regulations on Dangerous Goods, edition 22, which entered into force in 2021, as well as on the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, Amendment 40-20, and ISO 16106:2020.

The training program includes all aspects related to production, testing, certification of containers and packaging, and the development of a quality program.

At the end of the course, students will receive a state-recognized certificate of additional education and a certificate of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association

The 60th session of the UN Sub-Committee of Experts on Dangerous Goods will be held in Geneva from June 27 to July 6, 2022 in accordance with the program.

Experts of "IDGCA" NP will take part in the session; they prepared an official document concerning the testing of samples of plastic packaging intended for the transport of dangerous goods.

It is noteworthy that certain laboratories and recognized organizations interpret the procedure recommended by the UN Model Regulations for testing samples of plastic containers for their resistance to chemical products, set out in paragraph 6.1.5.2.4, as mandatory. These organizations require enterprises that manufacture various types of plastic containers to expose its samples to a chemical product intended for transportation for at least 6 months before strength tests are carried out. The IDGCA experts believe that this procedure is not only expensive, but also dangerous for personnel and the environment and is difficult to perform in real conditions. In this regard, other methods have been proposed to determine the chemical resistance of a material, for example, by laboratory testing of samples of the material in accordance with the procedure prescribed by ISO 175:2010.

We hereby inform you that a seminar on the application of the ADN rules to inland water transport vessels will be held from 10.00 to 13.00 on 5 April 2022. The seminar is held with the support of the North-West Office of Rostransnadzor, online. Participation is free. If you are interested, you can send two representatives of your organization to the seminar.

Confirmation of your participation in the seminar should be sent to NP «IDGCA» (info@idgca.org) not later than April 1, 2022.

The concept of an inspector is used in many areas of human activity. The status of an inspector is determined by his official duties, and his competence is determined by his professional training and experience. Another important factor that distinguishes an inspector from an employee is that an inspector must have a higher level of training than an employee being checked.

It is no coincidence that when we are talk about assessing navigation safety, both within state control and independent inspections, inspectors are former chief engineers, chief officers, captains, i.e. those persons who have many years of experience on seagoing vessels.

There is an international standard ISO 17020, which defines the requirements for various categories of inspection bodies, and, accordingly, for inspectors who work in these bodies.

The standard distinguishes three categories of inspection bodies: A, B, C. Inspectors involved in the control of the transport of dangerous goods in various modes of transport should have special knowledge in addition to their professional experience and receive special training in international and national regulations and standards related to the handling of dangerous goods.

The ISTC together with the IDGCA prepared unique training programs for state control inspectors. The peculiarity of the training is that the training is carried out on the basis of the International Staff Training Center, and certification is in the IDGCA. Particular attention in the training of inspectors is paid to issues and methods of risk management.

In recent years, more than 200 inspectors of Rostransnadzor, customs authorities and port control have been certified by the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association. All of them have received unique knowledge and training that allow them to carry out their activities at a high professional level.

Last week, representatives of the port control of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "AMP of the Sea of Azov" and "AMP of the Western Arctic" underwent another fresh training. The next training of inspectors is planned for May. Inspectors who have been trained at the ISTC and passed the exam at the Association receive a standard certificate and are entered in the register of "IDGCA" NP.

In 2021, the 22nd edition of the Model Regulations on the transport of dangerous goods included a new chapter 6.9 regarding the requirements for tanks made of composite materials (Fibre Reinforced Plastic), initiated by the Russian Federation.

Reinforced Plastic), initiated by the Russian Federation. In continuation of this topic, an informal working group was created chaired by Ivan Sergeychev (Center for Materials Technology, Skolkovo).

The objective of this informal group is to develop equipment requirements for composite portable tanks.

The last meeting of the working group took place on March 9, 2022 remotely. The informal group was attended by experts from Japan, Canada, Russia and IDGCA. At the meeting, the experts of "IDGCA" NP paid special attention to section 6.9.3.2.2.1 (Manufacturing Quality System) of the draft Rules, concerning the quality system of the manufacturer, which, according to the experts of "IDGCA" NP and its members, is overburdened with the requirements for the quality system, and offered their own interpretation of this section.

The meeting also discussed the issue of design criteria for service equipment made of composite materials for portable tanks. The next meeting is scheduled for April this year.

The Global Ports group of companies is one of the leading operators of specialized port terminals in Russia, the leader of the Russian container handling market. The group includes 7 marine multifunctional terminals.

The preparation and handling of dangerous goods in seaports requires special attention from all participants of the transport process. The safety of work at the terminal is ensured by many factors and, first of all, by the competence and knowledge of both managers and support staff. Safety requirements are stipulated not only by Government Decrees regarding the licensing of certain types of activities, but also by international documents that regulate the handling and transportation of dangerous goods. Proper placement, marking, transportation, preparation of documents necessary for the transport of dangerous goods is a single set of tasks that must be solved by any enterprise whose activities are related to dangerous goods.

The ISTC constantly updates its programs, forms training programs in such a way as to take into account all the latest changes not only in international rules, but also incidents that occur with dangerous goods in Russia and abroad.

The training program for "Global Ports" employees is determined by the requirements for a dangerous goods advisor. After the end of the classes, all course participants undergo certification at IDGCA NP. Those who successfully passed the exam receive a certificate of additional education from the ISTC and a certificate of Safety Advisor from the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association.

On 25 February the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association carries out certification of ADN experts for work on inland waterways tank vessels with the issuance of certificates of international standard.

Seafarers who have received special training are eligible for certification. The information is recorded in the Common Roster of Experts of the NP "IDGCA".

International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association (IDGCA NP) was approved as a member of the Technical Committee on Standardization "Oxygen and Cryogenic Equipment" (TC 114) by order of the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology ¹ 219 dated January 28, 2022.

IDGCA NP for many years takes part in the work of ISO technical committee TC 220 "Cryogenic vessels" on behalf of the Russian Federation and contributes to the development of international standards.

On April 5-6, 2022 the XVI International Conference dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association «Multimodal Transport of Dangerous Goods» will take place. The topic of the conference is Risk management in the transport of dangerous goods by different modes of transport. Representatives of State authorities, experts of international organizations, heads of enterprises and organizations whose activities are related to the handling and transportation of dangerous goods are invited to participate.

Details in the "Exhibitions and conferences" section.

On December 14, 2021, under the auspices of the UN and OECD, an international seminar was held on the safety of transportation and handling of ammonium nitrate and similar dangerous goods. They considered the security measures that are being taken by countries after the tragic events in Beirut on August 4, 2020. Seminar participants from almost all countries, including from Russia, drew special attention to the need for special training of managers and workers whose activities are related to the production, processing, storage and transportation of ammonium nitrate.

IDGCA" NP together with ISTChas developed unique training programs for managers, engineering and technical personnel and employees, which cover the issues of industrial safety and the safety of transportation of dangerous goods by various modes of transport. The course duration is 40 academic hours. Upon completion of the course, examination and certification are held. Special attention in the programs is paid to the study of the problem of risk management in the multimodal transportation of dangerous goods. Training is currently being conducted online.

IDGCA experts also provide advice on the development of risk management systems at enterprises producing chemicals, as well as in port areas where hazardous substances, including ammonium nitrate, are stored and handled.

The international certification body DNV conducted an audit of management system at the ISTC, which operates in accordance with the requirements of the International Standard ISO 9001-2015. The audit did not reveal significant non-conformities of the management system, and therefore the system was recognized as complying with the existing requirements and received a positive assessment.

A functioning management system allows ISTC to conduct training sessions at a sufficiently high level, and not only with Russian students. In 2021, the teachers of the center conducted training for representatives of 3 foreign countries.

The European Agreement concerning the Internatioal Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN) was signed in Geneva on May 26, 2000 and entered into force on February 29, 2008.

The regulations annexed to ADN contain provisions for dangerous substances and articles and their carriage, both in packages and in bulk on dry cargo ships and tankers. These regulations also contain provisions for the construction and operation of such ships. They also relate to the requirements and procedures for inspection, issuance of certificates of approval, recognition of classification societies, monitoring, and training and verification of personnel.

In accordance with the requirements of ADN regulations, companies involved in the transport of dangerous goods by inland waterway transport must train all the employees involved in this transport and related activities. Specific requirements are laid down in the regulations for the training and qualification of safety consultants and experts. A group of experts from one of the European countries, involved in the transport of dangerous goods on tankers, was trained at the ISTC in the period from 17 to 20 November. After training, the graduates were certified as experts in the "IDGCA" NP. Feedback from graduates about the courses is extremely positive. The staff of teachers is certified by "IDGCA" NP and possesses not only theoretical knowledge, but also has a rich experience of working on ships carrying dangerous goods, including chemical tankers.

The delivery of a heavy cargo (about 400 tons) to the north of Russia has been successfully completed. A correctly chosen logistic scheme, including sea transport, an approved scheme for placing and securing cargo and control during all cargo operations, made it possible to deliver the cargo in accordance with the schedule and perfectly safe. Independent inspection at all stages of cargo transportation was provided by the inspectors of "Russian Register" JSC. The cargo was insured by "Sogaz" JSC.

The multifunctional marine transshipment complex (MMTC) "Bronka" is the only deepwater terminal in the Port Bolshoi of St. Petersburg. This is the most modern port in the North-West region, which handles general, rolling and container cargo, including dangerous goods of almost all hazard classes. The management of Phoenix Company, the operator of Bronka MMTC, pays the most serious attention to ensuring the safety advisers of the transshipment of dangerous goods, putting at the forefront the maintenance of a high level of qualifications of personnel of all levels.

From the very beginning of its activity, the company conducted training for its employees of various categories at the ISTC, many of whom (managers and leading specialists) were put forward for certification in "IDGCA" NP as advisors on the transportation of dangerous goods. At the end of October, another group of managers and leading specialists of the Phoenix Company were trained and certified as advisors.

Cooperation of "IDGCA" NP with the "Phoenix" Company is not limited only to personnel training and certification. For example, the experts of "IDGCA" NP were directly involved in the development of measures for the implementation of customs control of dangerous goods at "Bronka" MMTC.

In accordance with the UN Model Regulations "Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods" and other international regulations, the competent authority is a body designated by the administration of the country, which has the right to independently provide services for the approval of containers into operation or to transfer its functions to other organizations - inspection bodies, classification societies, etc. Leading classification societies have created the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), which develops its own rules and raises the bar for requirements for various objects, primarily for sea and river vessels. Many classification societies issue their own rules and offer services to businesses. The main task of all classification societies, without exception, is to offer their services in the field of security. There is fierce competition between them.

In the transport of dangerous goods, classification societies are also actively involved along with other organizations. Many competent authorities instruct classification societies to issue approvals on behalf of the administration. In accordance with the Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), a CSC number is issued for each type of approved container. The number is given by the administration. However, this does not mean that only classification societies can approve containers for operation and issue numbers on behalf of the administration. Unfortunately, some international organizations and business representatives do not always correctly interpret the powers of classification societies and confuse them with the powers of administrations. For example, the Bureau International des Containers et du Transport Intermodal (BIC) in its BIC Code Register 2021 on a scheme with a sample of Safety Approval plate erroneously indicated that the number is issued according to the rules of the classification society.

On November 20, 2021 at the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association (IDGCA) certification of experts in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 8.2 "Preparation related requirements" of the Regulations for the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN) will take place. Based on the results of the certification, the specialists will be awarded certificates of special knowledge in the field of ADN (in relation to the carriage of dangerous goods by tankers).

The certification will be preceded by advanced training courses, which are conducted by the International Staff Training Center (ISTC) from 17 to 20 November 2021.

ISTC carries out educational activities in accordance with license ? 1734 dated February 20, 2016, and the quality management system complies with ISO 9001:2015, which is confirmed by the certificate of DNV GL classification society ? 251622-2017-AQ-MCW-FINAS dated December 27, 2017.

We invite members of ships crews and employees of shipping companies to undergo training and certification at the ISTC and IDGCA.

The 59th session of the UN ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods will be held from 29 November to 8 December. A wide range of issues are planned for discussion, including proposals for amendments to the requirements for portable tanks in the UN Model Regulations "Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods" (item 6(c) of the provisional agenda for the session).

The IDGCA has prepared a document for the 59th session of the Sub-Committee with a proposal to amend the testing requirements for the frame of portable tanks in Chapter 6.7 of the Model Regulations. The current text of paragraph 6.7.2.18.2 of the Chapter 6.7 prescribes the testing of the tank frame to be in accordance with the ISO 1496-3 standard, which is applicable to only one type of portable tank - the tank container. Instead of referring to the ISO 1496-3 the Association experts suggest referring to the Convention for Safe Container (CSC) which contains frame testing requirements for almost all types of portable tanks.

This proposal had already been discussed at the 58th summer session of the Sub-Committee, during which most of the Sub-Committee members who spoke agreed on the need to clarify the testing requirements for portable tanks` frame. The updated document will be published on the UNECE website shortly.

August 16 is the date of registration of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association (IDGCA). The Association was established with the support of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and business representatives to coordinate efforts for improvement of national and international rules of dangerous goods transportation and create favorable conditions for safe business development in this sphere. The Association was founded by the Union of Russian Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, Uralvagonzavod, Lukoil-Kaliningradmorneft and Transport Industrial Service.

From the first days of functioning the Association established contacts with international organizations and in 2004 obtained consultative status in UN ECOSOC Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. Since then, for 17 years now the Association has been participating in the work of the Committee, making suggestions and taking part in the discussion of amendments to the rules of dangerous goods transportation by various modes of transport.

In 2002 by decision of the board of IDGCA members under the chairmanship of the first President of the Association V.V. Ruksha “Russian Register” JSC, an independent survey company, was founded. The purpose of the company was to render practical services in dangerous goods transportation for shippers, carriers and transport equipment manufacturers.

In 2003 the Association established the International Staff Training Center (ISTC), which conducts professional training for specialists involved in the handling and transportation of dangerous goods. To this day ISTC has functioned as the only training institution for professional advisers in the field of dangerous goods transportation, and has gained an excellent reputation among both business representatives and supervisory authorities. Many port authorities and regulators personnel have gained knowledge at the International Staff Training Center and have been certified as dangerous goods inspectors by the IDGCA.

The International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association constantly monitors the activities of its subsidiaries. The Association does not provide any paid services. The Association is funded to carry out its functions solely by membership fees and deductions from the subsidiaries. The Association is registered by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation and operates in full compliance with current Russian legislation for non-profit organizations.

IDGCA, in addition to participation in the improvement of international regulations on the transport of dangerous goods, also prepares its proposals for the Russian Government to establish a national regulatory framework in the field of dangerous goods.

The basic function of the Association is to protect member organizations and partners in the framework of the constantly changing national and international legislation. Unlike many associations and unions, IDGCA is completely independent of administrative structures and therefore has its own independent view on various aspects of activities related to dangerous goods. The International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association stands for the creation of conditions for business development based on fair competition.

IDGCA received a draft of the revised standard ISO 21013-3:2016 "Cryogenic vessels. Pressure-relief accessories for cryogenic service. Part 3: Sizing and capacity determination". ISO 21013 consists of the following parts under the general title "Cryogenic vessels. Pressure-relief accessories for cryogenic service":

• Part 1:Reclosable pressure-relief valves;
• Part 2:Non-reclosable pressure-relief devices;
• Part 3:Sizing and capacity determination;
• Part 4:Pressure-relief accessories for cryogenic service.

The draft, which is a part of the second edition of the standard, has been developed as part of the technical revision of the first edition (ISO 21013-3:2006). The vote on the draft closes on August 31, 2021.

The XI International Forum "Transport Safety" was held from the 8th to 9th of July with the support of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other specialized federal and regional authorities, commercial and public organizations. International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association took part in the Forum.

For the Resolution of the Forum the following proposal was submitted by the experts of the Association:

• To analyze all existing laws, regulations, orders and rules in the field of transportation of dangerous goods for their relevance, validity and legality with the participation of government bodies and non-governmental organizations;
• To establish an Initiative Working Group under the Russian Government to develop a concept for a draft Federal law on the transportation (or turnover) of dangerous goods in the Russian Federation;
• To prepare a draft Federal law on the transportation (or turnover) of dangerous goods in the Russian Federation by analogy with the laws of other states, since the Russian Federation lacks a single consolidating legislative act to regulate the transportation of dangerous goods.

The Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation ? 1243 "On licensing transportation of dangerous goods by inland water transport, sea transport and towing by sea transport (unless the specified activity is carried out to meet the own needs of a legal entity or an individual entrepreneur)" dated July 21, 2021 has been published to replace the canceled ? 193 dated March 06, 2012.

The licensing regulations approved by the Resolution were developed in accordance with the Federal Law “On licensing certain types of activities”. In accordance with the Regulation on licensing transportation of dangerous goods by inland water transport and sea transport, activities on the transport of dangerous goods include the following:/p>

• Transportation of dangerous goods by inland water transport, including the use of small vessels;
• Transportation of dangerous goods by sea transport, including the use of small vessels;

The assessment of licensees' compliance with license requirements is carried out by the licensing authority (Rostransnadzor) within the framework of federal state control (supervision) in the field of merchant shipping and inland waterway transport in the manner established by the Regulation on federal state control (supervision) in the field of merchant shipping and inland waterway transport, approved by the resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation ?1047 dated June 29, 2021 "On approval of the Regulation on federal state control (supervision) in the field of merchant shipping and inland waterway transport and amendments to the Regulation on federal state transport supervision". It should be noted that in comparison with the previous Licensing Regulations, the following amendments are made:

• The requirement for certification of specialists responsible for the safety of navigation has been canceled;
• The list of gross violations related to the transportation of dangerous goods by the licensee has been changed downward;
• The list of gross violations related to the transportation of dangerous goods by the licensee has been changed downward;
• Added requirements for small vessels carrying dangerous goods;
• Added mandatory licensing requirements for foreign companies involved in the transportation of dangerous goods on the territory and in the territorial waters of the Russian Federation.

The requirements for the training of specialists responsible for the transportation and handling of dangerous goods remain the same. The International Staff Training Center invites students to the next training courses for specialists in the transport of dangerous goods, which will be held from 9 to 13 August.

“Syngenta” Ltd became a member of the IDGCA. The Syngenta Company, founded in Switzerland in 2000, has offices in 90 countries of the world, including Russia. The company's products are seeds of key field crops and chemical plant protection products. Plant protection products require proper storage and transportation and in some cases are classified as dangerous goods. Consultation and assistance on this matter will be provided to the new partner by the experts of the IDGCA.

During this week, the heads of the Murmansk branch of Norilsk Nickel took advanced training courses at the International Staff Training Center under the program “Training of advisors for the safe transportation of dangerous goods”. Together with the heads of Norilsk Nickel, an employee of the Administration of the Sea Ports of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Tatar Strait, employees of Arctic-Consulting-Service, Azovproduct and Clariant took the training. In addition to the mandatory program of the course, during the training period, issues related to technical regulation in the field of transportation of dangerous goods and containers were discussed. The listeners passed the knowledge test on the new examination form of the International Staff Training Center and answered questions from the IDGCA experts in order to confirm the acquired knowledge and obtain the status of an advisor. The International Staff Training Center is the only organization in Russia that practices training that meets the requirements of the IDGCA and international regulations for the transport of dangerous goods.

• (WP.15/AC.2) Joint Meeting of Experts on the Regulations annexed to the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (38th session)
  23 - 27 August 2021, Geneva
• (ADN) Administrative Committee of the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (26th session)
  27 August 2021, Geneva
• (WP.15/AC.1) Joint Meeting of the RID Committee of Experts and the Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
  21 September - 01 October 2021, Geneva
• (WP.15) Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (110th session)
  08 - 12 November 2021, Geneva
• (AC.10/C.3) ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (59th session)
  29 November - 08 December 2021, Geneva
• (AC.10/C.4) ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (41st session)
  08 - 10 December 2021, Geneva

• Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (7th session)
  6 – 10 September 2021, to be held remotely

The 7th session of the IMO CCC Sub-Committee (Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers) is scheduled for September 6-10, 2021. The meeting will be held remotely. To date, 80 documents have been submitted for consideration at the session. Issues for discussion in accordance with the agenda cover various proposals for amending international regulations issued by IMO – IGF Code, IG? Code, IMSBC Code, IMDG Code and others – as well as consideration of reports on incidents related to dangerous goods and environmental pollution, revision and unification of the interpretation of various provisions for the safe transport of dangerous goods.

From 8 to 9 July, the XI International Forum "Transport Safety" was held with the support of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other specialized federal and regional authorities, commercial and public organizations. Topics for discussion covered all types of transport and various aspects of passenger and cargo transportation: regulatory and legal regulation for ensuring transport safety, traffic and operation regulations for vehicles, anti-terrorist security, digital technologies, personnel training and certification, safety culture. IDGCA is a constant participant of this important and interesting event.

General Director of IDGCA, Mikhail Ognev, and Deputy General Director, Vladimir Tsikhiseli, made a short report at the Forum on Thursday on the topic "International regulations for transportation of dangerous goods in intermodal traffic". The presentation of the report was held remotely using the Zoom platform. The report highlighted what international regulations regulate the transportation of dangerous goods in the world and in Russia, and raised the issue of the lack of clear legislation in the field of transportation of dangerous goods in the Russian Federation at the moment. The Forum is a platform for the exchange of experiences and ideas, discussion of problems among all experts in the field of transport, including representatives of the authorities, so the questions and proposals raised at the event are likely to interest many people and will be developed further. IDGCA expresses gratitude to the organizers of the Transport Safety Forum.

During the last week from June 28 to July 2, the 58th session of the UN ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods was held. The session was attended by experts from 23 countries and 29 non-governmental organizations, as well as representatives of international organizations and observers from several countries. The meeting reviewed 31 official documents and 48 informal documents dealing with problems related to explosives, classification of substances, electrical devices, transportation of gases, amendments to the text of the Model Regulations (UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods), requirements for packaging for dangerous goods and other issues of transportation of hazardous substances.

IDGCA experts participated in the meeting and submitted three proposals for consideration by the Sub-Committee. The first document contained a proposal to amend the test requirements for the framework of portable tanks in Chapter 6.7. The current version of the text refers to ISO 1496-3, which is applicable to only one type of portable tanks – the tank container. Most of the members of the Sub-Committee who spoke agreed on the need to clarify the test requirements for portable tanks, but did not consider it necessary to include the definition of a tank-container in the Model Regulations. The Sub-Committee asked the Association to prepare a more detailed proposal for the autumn session.

The second proposalby IDGCA (+ a supplementary document) was to create an informal working group to revise the requirements for the "quality system" in the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, since in different chapters of the Regulations there are different terminology and interpretation of the concept of "quality system", which causes misunderstanding of the parties and manufacturers fear that their interests will be infringed. Despite the fact that the Sub-Committee considered it not feasible at present to organize an informal working group, several representatives of countries and organizations supported the proposal of the IDGCA on the need to unify the terminology and develop correct requirements for the “quality system” in the Model Regulations in the future. Several experts expressed a desire to participate in an informal discussion on this topic together with experts from the IDGCA. A group is currently being formed and a work plan is being developed.

The third document, presented by our Association and considered at the meeting, touched on the topic of remote work of inspection bodies in the context of a pandemic and the restrictions caused by it. The IDGCA experts raised the question of the need to develop requirements for remote audits and inspections. The members of the Sub-Committee felt that it was better to leave the decision on the requirements for remote audits to the competent authorities of the countries.

At the 58th session of the UN ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, much attention was paid to the new Chapter 6.9 of the Model Regulations concerning the requirements for fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) portable tanks, developed at the initiative of the Russian Federation. The new chapter received a positive reaction from most of the Sub-Committee's experts at the previous session (November 30 - December 8, 2020). However, the UK and the International Tank Container Organization (ITCO) have expressed doubts about the sufficient safety of using FRP portable tanks for the transport of dangerous goods. In addition to Chapter 6.9, the Russian Federation proposed to establish a working group to develop requirements for FRP equipment, in particular for valves and manholes.

As a historical background, it is interesting to note that the idea of using fiber-reinforced plastic for the manufacture of tanks for the transport of dangerous goods was first put forward in 1998 at a meeting of the DSC (now CCC) Sub-Committee at IMO on behalf of the Russian Federation. A three-layer FRP material was demonstrated to the Sub-Committee. “Metallokompozit” Ltd. under the leadership of General Director Dmitry Grigoriev in 2002 manufactured an FRP tank container intended for the transportation of propane-butane in full compliance with the ISO 1496-3 standard, however, the sample did not stand the test at a pressure of 20 kg/cm2 and development was suspended. In 2017, the issue of using FRP tanks was raised again on behalf of the Russian Federation.

The meeting of the UN ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods was productive, as important issues were raised, interesting ideas were discussed, and decisions were made on further work.

The world is constantly faced with new environmental problems and disasters; therefore, environmental safety is given great attention in the framework of achieving the sustainable development goals formulated by the UN. The international community, including Russia, is working to address environmental issues. The need for this activity is confirmed by frequent cases of environmental pollutions by oil and gas companies.

Experts of the Association and the International Staff Training Center (ISTC) have developed training programs on the management of environmental pollution by hazardous waste. The programs are created on the basis of our own practical experience and different countries` experience, discussed in the framework of international committees and working groups, in which experts of the Association and the Training Center work.

We invite enterprises’ specialists to undergo training on waste management at the ISTC. You can find the information about these and other training programs on the Center's website or by calling +7 (812) 740-20-19.

On June 9, a plenary meeting of ISO/TC 220 Technical Committee "Cryogenic Vessels" was held, where issues related to performance requirements for cryogenic vessels and their testing, pumps and hoses for cryogenic liquids, cryogenic insulation and fittings were discussed. One of the standards discussed at the meeting was ISO/DIS 21011 (Ed 2) Cryogenic vessels – Valves for cryogenic service (DIS – Draft International Standard). The experts of the IDGCA, having considered the materials on the draft of this standard, voted for this draft, proposing one amendment. This document specifies requirements for the design, manufacture and testing of valves for cryogenic service. It will apply to all types of cryogenic valves, including vacuum jacketed valves up to size DN 200. Following the work of the Technical Committee, a resolution was adopted, endorsed by all participants from France, United Kingdom, Germany, People's Republic of China, Czech Republic, Russian Federation, and United States of America. The Russian Federation was represented by experts from the IDGCA.

IDGCA invites interested organizations and specialists to work together to create and improve ISO standards for cryogenic vessels within the ISO/TC 220 Technical Committee.

On June 9, a remote meeting of experts of the ISO/TC 220 Technical Committee – Cryogenic Vessels, will take place. The development and improvement of standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is of great importance for the development of the regulatory and technical base, the quality and safety of the equipment produced. ISO standards are referenced in the UN Model Regulations (Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods), RID/ADR/ADN and other international regulations.

A vote is also underway on ISO 24490 “Cryogenic vessels – Pumps for cryogenic service” and ISO/DIS 21011 “Cryogenic vessels — Valves for cryogenic service”. Having considered the ISO 24490 document and generally appreciating it positively, IDGCA experts sent their comments to the RosISO Secretariat regarding the use of oxygen-compatible lubricants in the driver bearings of electric motors of cryogenic pumps.

The International Staff Training Center on a regular basis conducts training of specialists in machinery for cryogenic service, paying attention to ISO standards.

For the transport of dangerous goods, it is allowed to use packaging not only from primary, but also from recycled plastic. End-of-life plastic containers can be recycled and used in the manufacture of new products for the storage and transportation of hazardous substances. Part 1 of the UN Model Regulations defines materials made from recycled plastics, and Part 6 contains clauses establishing requirements for packaging made from recycled plastics. The issue of the use of such packaging was given attention at the meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Harmonization of RID/ADR/ADN with the UN Model Regulations held on April 21-23.

Meeting paper ECE/TRANS/WP.15/AC.1/HAR/2021/4 contains a proposal to amend the text of RID/ADR/ADN based on the text of the Model Regulations to clarify the requirements for packaging made from recycled plastics.

The experts proposed to supplement the definition of recycled plastic materials to fully comply with the definition in the 22nd edition of the UN Model Regulations, to introduce a requirement for the labeling of IBCs (intermediate bulk containers) made of recycled plastics with the abbreviation REC and to improve the wording to clarify and expand the use of recycled plastic containers for storage and transportation of dangerous goods. Addressing the issue of using recycled plastics is important for a greener and more sustainable use of resources.

More than 35 years have passed since the publication of the family of ISO 9000 international standards in 1986. Has the quality of products changed at the enterprises after the implementation of the quality management system?

Have the products gained access to foreign markets and have they become more competitive? Has its safety improved? The questions remain open. The terms “quality”, “quality system”, “quality management system”, “quality assurance system”, “quality programme”, “quality control” are interpreted differently in different standards. Is it possible to combine them into one term or, on the contrary, to reveal the essence of each of them? The issue has not yet been resolved. If this terminology is used in voluntary standards, then this is not so important.

However, if this terminology is introduced into regulatory documents that establish requirements for product safety, the lack of a clear interpretation can play a bad role. Product safety can be assessed and measured, since safety requirements are fixed in regulations, but quality is not, since it is an abstract and individual concept. IDGCA experts, who have many years of practice in the field of safety assessment, both in maritime transport and at hazardous industrial facilities, including the space industry, prepared a proposal to the UN Sub-Committee of Experts to create a group that could evaluate the terminology used in the UN Model Regulations in relation to quality

Exactly 60 years ago, Gagarin's "Let's go!" heralded the world about the beginning of a new era – the era of manned flights into outer space. It was then, on April 12, 1961, that K.E. Tsiolkovsky’s prophecy: “Mankind will not remain forever on Earth, but in pursuit of light and space, it will first timidly penetrate beyond the atmosphere, and then conquer the entire circum-solar space” began to come true. This greatest achievement of Russia was the achievement of all mankind.

The launch vehicle, which launched the Vostok satellite spacecraft, piloted by Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin, into near-earth orbit, used liquid oxygen and hydrocarbon fuel as propellants. Note that the development of national and world astronautics is inextricably linked with the use of a whole range of substances in the engines of launch vehicles and spacecraft, which belong to the category of dangerous goods. Improvement of equipment and technologies for their manufacture, transportation, storage and disposal plays a huge role in ensuring the safety of the rocket and space industry.

The IDGCA experts prepared a proposal to amend Chapter 6.7 of the UN Model Regulations on the transport of dangerous goods for discussion on 28 June – 2 July at the meeting of the UN ECOSOC Sub-committee of Experts on the transport of dangerous goods. IDGCA has a consultative status in the UN ECOSOC and participates in international meetings. You can read the proposal here.

From 15 to 19 March 2021, a joint meeting of the RID Committee of Experts and the UNECE Working Group on the Transport of Dangerous Goods was held in Bern under the chairmanship of Mr. K. Pfowadel (France) and Vice-Chairperson Ms S. Garcia-Wolfrum (Spain). Along with many issues considered in accordance with the agenda, a proposal was discussed to replace the existing Chapter 6.9 of ADR “Requirements for the design, manufacture, equipment, type approval, testing and marking of integral tanks (road tanks), demountable tanks, tank containers and demountable tank bodies made of fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP)” with a new edition of a similar chapter of the Model Regulations.

At the last meeting of the UN ECOSOC Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, which took place from November 30 to December 8, 2020, a new, previously non-existent Chapter 6.9 was added to the UN Model Regulations on the requirements for fiber-reinforced plastics tanks. It was with this new chapter of the Model Regulations that it was proposed to replace the existing Chapter 6.9 of ADR. Along with a positive reaction, some experts expressed concerns about the safety of the transport of dangerous goods in tanks made of composite materials.

This was especially true for the transportation of tanks by multimodal traffic. The International Tank Container Association (ITCO) has prepared document ECE-TRANS-WP15-AC1-21-BE-inf9e expressing its concerns and inviting the Working Group to pay additional attention to the safety factors associated with the transport of dangerous goods in fiber-reinforced tanks. Some experts also expressed their doubts about the interpretation in the new Chapter 6.9 of the Model Regulations of the procedure for tank type approval and production approval. Unlike other sections of the Regulations, the new chapter focuses on the assessment of the company's quality system, and not on the fundamental safety principles, which are understood as tests, measurements, controlled technological processes, etc.

Experts believe that Chapter 6.9 of ADR, if replaced by a new version, will become the basis for the development of a new chapter of the IMDG Code concerning the requirements for the marine transportation of dangerous goods in FRP tanks.

From 15 to 19 March, a joint meeting of the RID Committee of Experts and the Working Group on the Transport of Dangerous Goods takes place in Bern. The meeting is attended by experts from "IDGCA" NP.

The meeting takes place online in accordance with the agenda. Among others, issues related to the requirements for tanks, the timing of their inspections and tests are being discussed.

The International Maritime Organization has scheduled the work of the committees and subcommittees, taking into account the epidemiological situation in London and the possibility of face-to-face or remote participation of experts from states and non-governmental organizations. It can be assumed that the plans for the sessions in London will change, including the time and format of the next meeting of the Sub-committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) scheduled for September.

Despite the fact that the IMO is one of the most important UN institutions, this international institution is more closed to business and, unlike the UN, does not publish issued normative and working documents for open access, including those related to the transport of dangerous goods and containers. The main document regulating the rules for the carriage of dangerous goods by sea is the IMDG Code published by IMO.

You can read the IMO Programme of Meetings for 2021 here.

The duties of personnel responsible for safe transportation of dangerous goods by one or another mode of transport include but not limited to: preparation of transport documents, inspection of vehicles and transport equipment, organization of multimodal transportation of dangerous goods, including the maritime component, premedical first aid treatment when person was exposed to dangerous goods. If you add to this the need to be well-informed about the national and international regulatory framework and easily communicate with representatives of supervisory authorities, it becomes clear that it is necessary to undergo professional training in the educational institution where professionals in the field of transport of dangerous goods work. The next training of advisers on the transport of dangerous goods, including practical exercises, will be held at the International Staff Training Center (ISTC) from 15 to 19 March. At the same time, the certification of advisers with the issuance of certificates and entry into the Register of advisers will take place in the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association.

ISTC is certified by the Association, which has consultative status in the UN ECOSOC Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the Globally Harmonized System of Hazard Classification and Labeling of Chemical Products. The quality management system of ISTC is recognized by the leading classification society DNV GL (currently DNV) complying with the ISO 9001: 2015 standard, the certificate of conformity ¹ 251622-2017-AQ-MCW-FINAS. Classes will be held in the form of a webinar. You can download the application for training form here.

A few days ago, an oil spill occurred off the coast of Israel, leading to a serious environmental disaster for the country. On February 17, Israeli authorities requested assistance from the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) administered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The cause and source of the pollution is being identified using satellite images. According to preliminary data, the oil spill occurred on February 11 at a distance of 50 km from the Israeli coast from one of 10 vessels in the area of the incident. REMPEC has requested information from neighboring countries on any pollution detected near their coast. The Centre is also working to forecast the consequences of the disaster for neighboring states.

On January 1 of this year, Decree ¹ 2467 of the Government of the Russian Federation on the approval of the list of normative legal acts, including those regulating safety requirements for the transportation of dangerous goods and work with hazardous substances, came into force. The list can be found on the official website of the Government of the Russian Federation.

As a part of the work in the Technical Committee ISO/TC 220 "Cryogenic Vessels", IDGCA experts prepared proposals for amending the International Standard ISO 21009-2: 2015 (Ed 2) – "Cryogenic Vessels. Static vacuum insulated vessels – Part 2: Operational requirements” on behalf of the Russian Federation.

Suggestions and comments refer to section 5.2 “Safety issues”. In particular, the experts pointed out that in this section it is advisable to note the need to use self-contained breathing apparatus and the features of protective equipment and special clothing for personnel, as well as to take into account the possibility of hydrogen embrittlement of steel structural materials of cryogenic vessels when they come into contact with hydrogen.

The Joint Meeting of the RID Committee of Experts and the Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods will take place on 15-19 March 2021 in Bern, Switzerland. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, it is not yet possible to indicate whether physical participation in the conference will be possible and which conference platform will be used. The provisional agenda for the spring 2021 session includes the consideration of proposals for amendments to RID/ADR/ADN.

Ad hoc Working Group on the Harmonization of RID/ADR/ADN with the UN Recommendations on the TDG (10th session) will take place on 21-23 April 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (109th session) is scheduled for 03-07 May 2021 in Switzerland.

ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (58th session) will take place on 28 June – 02 July 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland. The deadline for submission of the official documents is 9 April 2021.

ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (40th session) is scheduled for 05-07 July in Geneva, Switzerland. The deadline for the submission of the official documents is 16 April 2021.

In accordance with the Federal Law “On Licensing Certain Types of Activities”, the Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation dated December 4, 2020 ¹ 2027 approved the Regulation on Licensing Loading and Unloading Activities for Dangerous Goods in Inland Waterway Transport, in Seaports. At the same time, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that the phrase “loading onto ship” in clause 3 of this Regulation contains two mistakes in the word “loading” (in Russian: “ïàóçêè” instead of “ïîãðóçêè”).

The same Resolution approved the Regulation on Licensing Activities for Transportation by Inland Water Transport and Sea Transport of Passengers. The Resolution comes into force on January 1, 2021 and is valid until July 1, 2021.

On December 16, 17 and 18, 2020, a remote meeting of UN experts participating in the preparation of proposals for amending the Model Regulations of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, as well as the ADR and RID Regulations regarding the requirements for tanks intended for transportation of dangerous goods, including the rules for the approval of types of tanks, was held. The audience of experts consisted of more than 25 people, including representatives of such leading European countries as The United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, and international organizations such as BAM, ITCO, VTG and others.

The General Director of IDGCA, Ognev M.I., took part in the meeting as an expert. Following the meeting, a document will be prepared for submission to the UN ECOSOC Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the Joint Meeting of UNECE Experts and the Working Group on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. The informal working group is chaired by Mr. Steve Gillingham from the United Kingdom Department of Transport.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation has established new rules on labor protection during the operation of industrial transport (Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation 814í) dated November 18, 2020 "On approval of the Rules on labor protection during the operation of industrial transport", registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on December 9, 2020, registration number 61355). The new version of the rules takes into account the current level of development of technical equipment and technology in this area. The order comes into force on January 1, 2021 and is valid until December 31, 2025. This document, which concerns many fields and enterprises of the industry and transport, has yet to be studied, but now the question arises of how the new rules will relate to the Labor Protection Rules in Sea and River Ports, approved by order of the Ministry of Labor of Russia dated January 21, 2019 ¹30í registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on April 1, 2019, registration number 54222.

The new rules also cover the requirements for vehicles used for the transport of dangerous goods.

At the end of November, 49 officials responsible for ensuring the safety of the transport of dangerous goods and performing supervisory and control functions at sea and river ports passed online training at the International Staff Training Center (ISTC). This training was preceded by serious work on the development of a training program that takes into account the specifics of the official duties of state inspectors. A relatively short 40-hour program included only those issues the knowledge of which is essential for employees of any supervisory and control body carrying out its activities in sea and river ports.

The program took into account the practical experience of inspectors and surveyors of “Russian Register” CJSC accumulated by this company in carrying out of inspection activities as an independent organization. During the training, special presentations and video materials were used.

Today ISTC is the only educational organization in Russia that trains such specialists. In total, the center has trained more than 100 state inspectors, including customs inspectors.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) today announced that Ulrika Francke from Sweden has been elected as the next ISO President, following voting by the ISO member bodies. She will take up the position in January 2022 at the completion of the term of current President Eddy Njoroge from Kenya, and serve as President-elect throughout 2021.

Ms. Francke has extensive experience in standardization, currently serving as Vice-President of ISO member SIS, the Swedish Institute for Standards. Prior to her role at SIS, she was Chair of the BIM Alliance, whose purpose is to develop standards for the real estate and building sector. Ms. Francke’s career has spanned both public and private sectors.

The International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association, member of the ISO/TS 220 Subcommittee for Cryogenic Vessels, congratulates Ms. Franke on her appointment to her new position and wishes her every success in her work.

On November 30, the leading international certification body DNV GL conducted a scheduled audit of the quality management system applied in the International Staff Training Center of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association (hereinafter ISTC) in accordance with the requirements of the International Standard ISO 9001-2015. The audit was performed as part of the certification process to maintain the management system certificate of conformity ? 251622-2017-AQ-MCW-FINAS. The main purpose of the audit was to determine the compliance of the management system with the Standard. In addition, the effectiveness of the management system was assessed as a guarantee of the ISTC's ability to achieve its goals and comply with applicable legal requirements. The focus area "The effectiveness of training and organization of the training process" was highly appreciated as a whole. The auditor noted the following positive results:

• Training programs are revised in accordance with the specifics of customers' work;
• New teaching methods are being developed: webinars, training according to individual plans;
• Employees participate in conferences according to its business profile;
• Based on the results of feedback (estimates of graduates), the organization receives marks of at least 4 points;
• Teaching materials are being revised and updated based on the feedback received from students and customers

It was especially noted that the organization was relocated to a new office without compromising the level of staff training.

According to FleetMon web-site, container ship “MENTARI CRYSTAL” capsized with its starboard resting on bottom along pier at Teluk Lamong Terminal, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, on November 15, 2020. There were 137 containers on board at the time of the accident. The crew was not injured. According to the preliminary version, the incident occurred due faulty ballasting and containers stowage.

We assume that the control over compliance with the established procedure for loading and securing cargo in accordance with the Intact Stability Code (ISC Code 2008), (approved by Resolution MSC.267 (85), (as amended on June 05, 2015) has been violated. In accordance with this code, loading and unloading of cargo must be carried out with a heel and trim of no more than 3 degrees, and bunkering and ballasting of the vessel must be completed before loading containers on the deck.

According to the Federal Marine and River Transport Agency of the Russian Federation, the “Vasily Shukshin” dry cargo ship, traveling from the port of Pusan (South Korea) to Vostochny port, lost speed 35 miles off Vostochny port and was towed to the roadstead by “Spasatel Zaborshchikov” rescue vessel. Cargo of the 7th hazard class was transported on board "Vasily Shukshin" in containers. The total weight of the dangerous cargo was 172 tons.

The reason for speed loss of the vessel was declared the lack of fuel on board, which is rather strange, since the distance from the port of Busan to Vostochny port is 915 kilometers. The only reason, as experts suggest, could be the desire of the ship owner to save money on fuel and to fill up in Russia, where fuel is cheaper, instead of fuelling in South Korea. It seems that the ship owner decided to save money at the expense of safety. “Vasily Shukshin” vessel flies under the Belize flag, Bureau Veritas class, and the crew is Russian. The vessel was built in 1995. It can be assumed that the vessel has all valid documents confirming its compliance with international conventions and codes, including ISM Code and SMS. However, judging by the emergency that happened, the readiness of the vessel for the upcoming voyage, as well as the training of the crew, were not sufficient. Also, such factors as the navigation area and special conditions for the carriage of dangerous goods of hazard class 7 were not taken into account. It is scary to imagine what could have happened if the ship lost its speed in a severe storm.

This emergency situation, like other similar cases observed in modern maritime practice, suggests that the presence of documents issued by the classification societies and confirming the compliance of the vessel and the crew with the requirements of conventions, codes and regulations does not guarantee the satisfactory condition of the vessel and proper training of the crew. At the same time, the payment for the services of classification societies, including the costs for various management systems are so high, that sometimes there is not enough money to ensure real safety. It is no coincidence that insurance companies engage independent surveyor organizations for inspecting ships before insurance.

On the 11th of November, 2020 a round table under the leadership of the Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the President of National Association for Digital Economics, Konstantin Slyshchenko was held on the problem of safety insuring and infrastructure improvement on inland waterways of the Central European part of Russia. On the part of "IDGCA" NP, General Director of "IDGCA" NP, Mikhail Ognev and Deputy Director of "Russian Register" JSC, Viktor Kuzminkov, Sea Capitan, took part in the work.

The International Staff Training Center (ISTC) has started regular distance learning for students in various programs of continuing professional education. For many companies and organizations whose employees work "remotely", distance learning not only saves money on business trips, but also allows for on-the-job training.

A distinctive feature of ISTCis not only its affiliation with “IDGCA” NP, which has a consultative status in the UN ECOSOC Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, but also the constant novelty of information and an individual approach to each enterprise and to every retrainee.

The heads of enterprises send their employees to ISTC for training with the aim of not only obtaining certificates of advanced training, for example, for a certain licensed type of activity, but first of all to improve the knowledge level of employees, which helps business development. Today, final exams have been successfully held in a study group of students of one of the leading international forwarding companies.

According ?????????? to the information of the North-West Investigations Directorate for Transport of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, an audit is being carried out on the fact of an emergency landing of a light-engine private aircraft on the territory of Port Bronka. The uninvited guest landed near a special storage and handling area designed for dangerous goods. By a happy coincidence, there were no casualties or destruction, and the hapless passenger, according to eyewitnesses, was evacuated by helicopter, safe and sound.

The reason for the emergency landing of the aircraft in the closed area of Port Bronka will be investigated, but this incident once again raises questions about how flights over hazardous areas where hazardous substances are stored or may be stored are regulated and whether they are generally regulated. When an aircraft hits them, such substances can detonate, create conditions for the emergence and spread of toxic and explosive clouds, which can lead to tremendous destruction on the territory and take away human lives. Again, we would like to remind the fact we wrote about earlier that there is no law on the transportation and storage of dangerous goods, which could regulate, among other things, issues related to the prohibition of flights, primarily of private aircraft, near places of storage and handling of dangerous goods.

Photo was taken from the official website of the North-West Investigations Directorate for Transport of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the International Staff Training Center (ISTC)moved to a new location at the address: 198095, St. Petersburg, st. Marshal Govorova, 35A, Business Center “Zhyoltiy Ugol” ("Yellow Corner"), office 436, tel. +7 (812) 740-20-19. At the same time, not only licensing requirements for office premises were taken into account, but also the specifics of working conditions in a pandemic, in particular, the need to comply with special sanitary standards when conducting resident training.

Despite this, distance learning has a priority, because many organizations and enterprises are afraid to send their employees on business trips, and in some enterprises business trips are generally prohibited. The use of distance learning not only did not reduce the requirements for exams at ISTC and for certification in the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association (IDGCA NP), but rather, on the contrary, increased the requirements for the level of professionalism of students and candidates for obtaining the titles of experts, inspectors and dangerous goods transport advisors.

The conditions of the pandemic did not affect the level of requirements for compliance with safety standards and did not abolish the rules for licensing the relevant activities related, in particular, to dangerous goods. Students who have passed certification in "IDGCA" NP receive certificates of the Association and are entered into its Register.

ISTC conducts training not only in the field of dangerous goods, but also in other areas of additional education, mainly related to security.

The International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association wish a Happy Birthday to its President, Vice Admiral, Gennady Yuryevich Moshkov.

Dear Gennady Yuryevich, we wish you good health, even more creative energy and good luck in its implementation, excellent mood and thank you for your active and fruitful work as the head of our organization!

Lack of a single legislative or regulatory act governing the transportation and handling of dangerous goods, including high consequence dangerous goods, according to experts of IDGCA NP, negatively affects the economy and safety of transportation of dangerous goods by various modes of transport, including a multimodal message.

Separation of departmental requirements, uncontrolled issuance of regulatory documents by individual departments, lobbying for the interests of controlled commercial structures – all this has been present on the market for services for the transportation of dangerous goods for many years. Representatives of Russian business have repeatedly encountered this, but, unfortunately, no one notices their difficulties, and they are simply not paid attention to.

Understanding these problems, IDGCA NP sent an appeal to the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation with a proposal to develop a draft law on the transportation of dangerous goods. Experts of IDGCA NP, having not only theoretical knowledge, but also practical experience, in practice themselves faced the fact that the lack of legislative and regulatory legal regulation negatively affects their own work. At present, experts are working on the concept of the proposed law and, if this proposal is accepted by the Government of the Russian Federation, the specialists of IDGCA NP, including the members of the Association, will take an active part in the development of the bill. Support of the activities related to the handling of dangerous goods. The secretariat of IDGCA NP will highly appreciate any constructive proposals for organizing this work. In October 2020, “IDGCA NP plans to hold a seminar on multimodal transport of dangerous goods, where this initiative will be widely discussed. The form of the seminar will depend on the sanitary and epidemiological situation in Russia.

Dear Mikhail Vladimirovich!

At present, a broad discussion of the draft Federal Law “On Amendments to Article 1 of the Federal Law “On Transport Safety” and the Invalidation of Certain Provisions of Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” (hereinafter – the draft law) is underway. Despite the fact that the term of public discussion of the document has expired, this draft law continues to be the subject of heated discussion; the developers of the document continue to receive critical remarks from representatives of leading non-governmental organizations in Russia. Our organization, "International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association" Non-profit Partnership ("IDGCA" NP) is also of the opinion that the bill in the form in which it is submitted for approval does not meet the interests of the state and business and may create additional unjustified costs for enterprises and organizations of the Russian Federation. The main comment to the draft law is that it does not take into account international regulations (conventions, agreements, standards), ratified by the Government of the Russian Federation and concerning the transportation of dangerous goods, including high consequence dangerous goods (HCDG). At the same time, having entered into force, it will also apply to the activities of companies, organizations, as well as state bodies that use international documents in their practice as regulatory legal ones. The main international documents governing the transport of dangerous goods, including HCDG, are the UN Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (hereinafter referred to as the UN Model Regulations), as well as the industry regulations arising from them (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), Rules for European Agreements Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) and Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN), Regulations for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods – Annex 2 to the Agreement on International Goods Transport by Rail, Regulations Concerning the International Transport of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID), and Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air). Each of the listed documents has a section that deals exclusively with HCDG, and these sections are mandatory. It is commonly known, that the adoption of any law and regulatory legal document in the field of security entails the responsibility of business and government, as well as implies the costs for personnel training, development of local regulations, procedures, additional checks, etc. The concept of "High consequence dangerous goods" is contained in the actual version of the UN Model Regulations and contains both a list of HCDGs, and requirements for organizations involved in the transportation (handling) of such goods. In particular, employees of organizations carrying out the transport and/or handling of HCDG must undergo training in addition to that prescribed by chapter 1.3 "Training of personnel" of the UN Model Regulations (and regulations applicable to specific modes of transport), and an enterprise must develop and maintain a Safety Plan, the minimum content requirements for which are published in the regulations. The implementation of these requirements, taking into account the specifics of national rules, in our opinion, ensures safety when handling HCDG. The creation of additional burdens on the transport business by introducing special transport security plans, certificates of ensuring transport security of vehicles, which is required by the bill and which is absent in international practice, will create additional barriers for business. The introduction of additional requirements will not contribute to the improvement of safety and security in transport.

The reason for contacting you personally is not caused by this draft law, but by the presence of a serious problem in regulating the transportation of dangerous goods in general. HCDG is only an individual issue for public authorities and business. Legislation and regulations governing the transport of dangerous goods are necessary, but they should not come out chaotically, in isolation from other documents in force in this area. If we turn to international practice, then, as we have already noted, all industry rules are created on the basis of the UN Model Regulations and should not contradict them. In the Russian Federation, there is no single legislative act that would regulate the transportation of dangerous goods, including HCDG, on all types of transport and in seaports. That is, why individual administrative acts issued by various departments do not have a common base and are not coordinated with each other. In other words, there is no legislative link between the rules in force for different types of transport, as well as between Russian regulatory legal acts and international ones. In addition, there is no single competent authority that would regulate and control the transport of dangerous goods. At the same time, departmental interests and the absence of a general legislative act obligate an organization to obtain three licenses at once for the transportation and handling of dangerous goods, which places a heavy burden on enterprises.

In connection with the above, we ask you to develop in a prompt manner a concept for the creation of a legislative act, for example, the Federal Law on the Transportation (or Handling) of Dangerous Goods in the Russian Federation, which would regulate both the issues of internal transportation of dangerous goods and the issues of their transportation in international traffic on all types of transport and in seaports.

The absence of a basic law regulating activities in the field of transportation of dangerous goods by all types of transport gives rise to negative phenomena, for example, in maritime transport and in related industries. Such negative examples include the fact when the Director of the Department of State Policy in the Field of Maritime and River Transport of the Ministry of Transport of Russia issued an executive letter dated November 21, 2016, ? 05-03/19156-??, which affected several hundred Russian enterprises and organizations, suspended their activities and created a threat to security in seaports. The official, taking advantage of the lack of national regulations, used the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (which does not have an official translation into Russian) in order to endow the organization under his control with a monopoly on the provision of paid services, which raised the cost of these services by exactly 10 times.

During the tenure of the same official, the General Rules for the Navigation and Mooring of Vessels in the Seaports of the Russian Federation and On the Approaches to them, approved by the order of the Ministry of Transport of Russia dated October 26, 2017, ? 463, were registered in the Ministry of Justice of Russia on March 23, 2018, ? 50497. Thus, according to paragraph 121 of these General Rules, when placing a vessel for loading/unloading dangerous goods, prior to the commencement of cargo operations, the vessel must have on board a safety data sheet for the substance/material/product, as well as test reports and certificates for tare, containers, medium-duty bulk containers, oversized containers, demountable tanks, multi-element gas containers and tank trucks used to transport cargo. These provisions are redundant and practically impracticable.

The pile of additional requirements not provided for by international rules, again, creates grounds for abuse and the opportunity to "shake" business. Oddly enough, our appeals to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Transport of Russia, the Ministry of Justice of Russia, the Prosecutor General's Office of Russia did not give any result. The above documents have not been canceled and are still being applied in practice.The presence of a single normative legal act of the Russian Federation regulating the transportation of dangerous goods would prevent the possibility of individuals from abusing their rights with reference to international documents and would increase the real safety of transportation of dangerous goods.

Based on the above, we ask you:

1.To suspend the approval procedure for the prepared draft Federal Law "On Amending Article 1 of the Federal Law "On Transport Safety" and Invalidating Certain Provisions of Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation"

2.Conduct an analysis of all current legal acts and statutory instrument, orders, decrees and rules in the field of transportation of dangerous goods for their relevance, validity and legality with the participation of government agencies and non-governmental organizations

3. Create a Working Group to develop a concept for the development of a draft Federal Law on the Transportation (or Handling) of Dangerous Goods in the Russian Federation.

4.As soon as possible, develop a draft Federal law on the transportation (or handling) of dangerous goods in the Russian Federation by analogy with the laws of other states.

Annex: Brief information about the "International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association" Non-Profit Partnership on 1 sheet.

Yours faithfully, M.I. Ognev,
General Director of IDGCA NP

Tragedy struck in Beirut. It is already clear that the explosion of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse in the port killed more than 100 people and injured more than 4,000 people.

The investigation of the tragic incident continues, and the reasons will certainly be revealed. But it is already known that ammonium nitrate with a total mass of 2750 tons was stored in the warehouse for a long time. It is likely that the personnel responsible for storing this substance did not have sufficient knowledge of the particular hazards involved.

In accordance with the Model Regulations of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (hereinafter referred to as the Model Regulations), ammonium nitrate (ammonia nitrate, nitrate of ammonium), UN number 1942, belongs to hazard division 5.1 - oxidizing substances. This is how the properties of ammonium nitrate are described in column 17 of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), based on the Model Regulations: “Crystals, granules or small prills. Soluble in water. Accelerates the burning of combustible material. A large-scale fire on board a ship carrying this substance could create an explosion hazard if contaminated (e.g. by liquid fuel) or in a substantially confined space. Close detonation may also involve a risk of explosion. Decomposes on strong heating, giving off toxic and combustion gases. Transportation of ammonium nitrate capable of self-heating sufficient to initiate decomposition is prohibited”. In accordance with Chapter 1.4 of the Model Regulations, this substance belongs to High Consequence Dangerous Goods (HCDG). Note that if chapter 1.3 of the Model Regulations "Training of employees" obliges all persons involved in the transport and handling of dangerous goods to undergo training followed by retraining, then chapter 1.4 "Provisions relating to safety"obliges persons carrying out the transport and handling of HCDG receive additional training in the field of safety.

History, unfortunately, knows many cases when ammonium nitrate demonstrated its hazardous properties in the illiterate handling of this cargo. The consequences of some incidents involving ammonium nitrate are comparable to those of full-scale military operations involving heavy weapons. Dear visitors of our site can find on the Internet a detailed description of the tragedy that broke out on April 16, 1947 in the port of Texas City, Texas, USA, when due to the irresponsibility and incompetence of all persons involved in the operations of receiving ammonium nitrate on board the Grandcamp steamer, more than 1,500 people including its captain were killed and colossal damage to transport infrastructure and the city was caused. And here again a new large-scale tragedy occurred.

What conclusions, in our opinion, should be drawn from the Lebanese catastrophe?

First,it is necessary to radically and very quickly revise the national legislative and regulatory framework related to the transport of dangerous goods and their storage.

Second,it is necessary to ensure regular and effective professional development and retraining of officials of state bodies who carry out managerial and control and supervisory functions in the field of transportation and handling of dangerous goods. The practice of IDGCA and the International Staff Training Center shows that trained and certified officials working, for example, in seaports, have a much greater responsibility and understanding in the organization of all types of work with dangerous goods and do not allow violations, deviations from requirements of governing documents and local work flow charts and instructions.

Third,it is necessary to organize regular and effective professional development of the management, engineering-and-technical personnel and other employees of enterprises that transport and handle dangerous goods. If the training of the management and engineering staff is carried out to some extent, then the training of employees and workers of companies operating in seaports is left to chance. These companies solve this problem in different ways, both by sending personnel for training, and by short instructions only.

IDGCA expresses its sincere condolences to the Lebanese people in connection with the August 4 tragedy.

Transportation and handling of dangerous goods (DG), including high-risk goods, is regulated by many international and national documents, and activities related to DG are controlled by dozens of supervisory and administrative authorities. Despite this, very often non-standard situations arise when the direct application of an international or national regulatory document is impossible, and the decision on the possibility of transporting goods is made based on the experience, knowledge, competence and responsibility of the person or the organization that makes such a decision. It is impossible to develop a unified algorithm for making a decision in a difficult situation, because the level of knowledge and experience of managers and personnel of enterprises is different, and the situations are not the same. Complicated and non-standard situations with DG can arise on any type of transport. They are connected both with the preparation of documents and with the real state of goods and vehicles. Such situations are encountered when importing DG into the territory of the Russian Federation, when exporting them in the opposite direction and, of course, when transporting goods across the vast territory of Russia. It is in these cases that the decisions of the competent authorities, competent organizations and competent experts, who will be able to analyze the situation as quickly as possible and work out the solution required by the situation are required. IDGCA, having a consultative status in the UN ECOSOC Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the Globally Harmonized System of Hazard Classification and Labeling of Chemical Products, has repeatedly participated in resolving difficult situations and has always provided competent advice to both DG carriers and supervisory authorities. This is well known to everyone involved in the transport and handling of DG. Experience and knowledge accumulated over tens of years, professional training and retraining of experts help IDGCA to get involved in solving complex issues in various geographic points of Russia. However, the experts of the IDGCA have to resolve issues not only in the field of safety, but also in overcoming bureaucratic "squiggles", or, frankly, the consequences of corruption actions of some officials and employees of organizations under their control. Unfortunately, the practice of recent years shows that the administrative bodies and the organizations under their control conclude public and private agreements, according to which some commercial structures become monopolists in the provision of services in DG transportation. But the problem is not even that someone wants to give someone the opportunity to earn big money, but that conditions are deliberately created under which normal and safe transportation of DG becomes problematic.

There are many examples of such "squiggles" for business, but they have become large-scale since November 2016. Perhaps, at a certain level, someone decided that the sphere of DG transport is very profitable, and by monopolizing it, one can “spin up” a good business. Perhaps, representatives of a new generation appeared those, who are poorly versed in issues of safety, technical and technology field, but well understand how to make money from business problems. It is very good that the Government of the Russian Federation and the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation have decided to conduct a regulatory guillotine, and this concept has become very popular. However, there is no real action, at least in the field of IDGCA transportation. Orders, rules and departmental agreements, which are in no way consistent with international and national laws, have not yet been canceled.

Understanding this situation and looking for ways to overcome negative situations in the field of DG transport, IDGCA applied to the Government of the Russian Federation with a proposal to create a unified regulatory framework in the field of transportation of DG in Russia. Perhaps, the experience, knowledge and professionalism of IDGCA and its partners will be in demand by the Government in these difficult times for Russian business.

The spread of coronavirus infection in almost all regions of Russia has created difficult conditions for the transport business and cargo owners. This fully applies to the sphere of dangerous goods traffic. To prepare dangerous goods for transportation `in multimodal communication, all participants in the transport process require knowledge of the rules and features of their transportation on each type of transport, including knowledge of relevant international regulations. Incorrect execution of transport documents and poor preparation of cargo for transportation can lead to significant material losses due to downtime of vehicles and transport equipment and to create a threat to the safety of transportation.

Experts from the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association (“IDGCA” NP), the International Staff Training Center (ISTC) and ZAO “Russian Register” provide shippers and transport workers with ongoing consultations and help them with paperwork necessary for the transport of dangerous goods of various hazard classes. ISTC conducts distance training of specialists, and ZAO “Russian Register” based on the results of inspection of cargo, transport equipment and vehicles develops multimodal declarations and draws up certificates of conformity in the System of Voluntary Integrated Certification of Safety and Quality Systems (SQS).

Thus, all our companies have timely prepared for remote work and provide quality services in difficult conditions. In recent days, IDGCA paid special attention to the transportation of oxygen, which is vital for the treatment of victims of coronavirus infection. In this text, we provide recommendations for the safe transport of oxygen, which should not be forgotten even in conditions of force majeure.

The International Staff Training Center (ISTC) continues to accept applications for training under additional professional continuing education programs. Taking into account the current situation in the country and the world caused by the spread of coronavirus, training is carried out remotely.

We will do our best to ensure that the quality of training at ISTC meets the goals of continuing education for employees of enterprises.At lectures using presentations and video materials, course participants will have the opportunity to have a direct dialogue with the teacher, they will be provided with all the information necessary for the successful learning.

Waiting for your application for training!

International Dangerous Goods & Containers Association (further on – IDGCA) has represented the report about its activities to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe upon the UNECE Secretariat request.

The IDGCA consultative status in the TDG Sub-Committee of UN experts obliges non-governmental organizations to represent a report on the activities directed to development and application of the international rules and standards.

In its report IDGCA presented the information about activities of training of the advisers on the transport of dangerous goods, activities of the expertise and consulting of business and administrative authorities. The report has been accepted with satisfaction by the UNECE Secretariat.

According to the Poland Sea portal, in 2040 renewable energy sources (RES) will become the main electricity supplier in Poland. According to power engineers, the necessary transformations in the power system and the security of energy supply can be achieved through the development of renewable energy sources. Particular attention in this direction is given to offshore wind power stations. The development of renewable energy sources, to a significant extent, can serve to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

In Russia, wind energy is also becoming an integral part of the state’s energy strategy.

The Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission specified the regulations on import and export of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, as well as ozone-depleting substances and products containing them to the Eurasian Economic Union.

Presentation of the license to the customs authority is not required from a member of the EEU, if:

• These substances are imported as supplies, in the amount necessary to ensure normal operation of equipment and technical devices on water transport;
• Narcotic substances are in first-aid kits on vessels in a limited amount determined by the legislation of the country of registration of water transport.

The 6th session of the Subcommittee on the Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) was held from 09 to 13 September 2019. Three Working Groups (WG) and two Drafting Groups (DG) were formed and chaired as follows:

• Working Group of Amendments to the IGF Code and Development of Guidelines for Low-flashpoint Fuels (agenda items 3 and 8);
• Working Group of Suitability of High Manganese Austenitic Steel for Cryogenic Service (Agenda item 4);
• Working Group of Amendments to the CSS Code with regard to Weather-dependent (agenda item 7);
• Drafting Group on the International Maritime Bulk Cargo Code (IMSBC Code) (agenda item 5);
• Drafting Group of Amendments to Inspection Programme Amendments for Cargo Transport Units carrying Dangerous Goods (agenda item 10)

The following items on the agenda were also considered during the session:

Particular attention was paid to the consideration of reports of incidents involving dangerous goods on ships and in port zones. The The Sub-Committee was informed that, of the 72,408 CTUs inspected, 5653 CTUs were found to have deficiencies, which means that 16.44% of the CTUs inspected were deficient, a significant increase from 8.38% for the previous year. Placarding and marking accounted for 57.12%, followed by securing/stowage inside the unit (16%) and marking/documentation (15.12%).

The next meeting of CCC 7 is currently scheduled to take place from 14 through 18 September 2020.

On September 10, the Ministry of Transport of Russia published on its website Order of the Ministry of Transport of Russia ¹. 191 dated 19.06.2019 "About the Approval of Common Forms of Transport Documents for Transportation of Goods by Rail" (registered in the Ministry of Justice of Russia dated 06.09.2019 ¹. 55834).

The order will come into force since September 10, 2020 and will repeal earlier existing order of Ministry of Railways of Russia dated 18.06.2003 ¹ 39 "About the approval of Rules of filling of transport documents for transportation of goods by railway transport" with the changes and additions.

According to the experts of “IDGCA” NP transport documents should be properly studied by the participants of the transport process, in order to avoid delay of cargo on the railway.

September, 11 the President of IDGCA Moshkov Gennadiy Yurievich celebrates his birthday.

Members of IDGCA and the staff congratulate Gennadiy Yuryevich on his birthday, wish him good health, family well-being and thank for the invaluable help and work he has been doing as the President of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association.

According to TT Club, the number of fires on containerships in 2019 doubled - if in the previous twenty years on average such incidents occurred once every 60 days, now - once every 30 days. It is reliably known that charcoal was the culprit in most fires. Therefore issues of its transportation will be brought to the sixth session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Subcommittee on the Transport of Goods and Containers (CCC), which is taking place now in London (9-13 September). The subject was initiated by the German maritime authorities, who conducted a detailed investigation into two fires on ships. The most important point of discussion will be the Special Provision (SP925), which frees the transport of coal from strict regulations concerning dangerous goods. The German side 's proposal is that the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) no longer allow the transportation of charcoal as "not dangerous." Likewise, additional steps regarding its loading rules will be discussed.

The International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) and the insurance company TT Club agree that coal should always be transported as a dangerous good, and also consider it necessary to repeal a Special Regulation SP925. Note also that due to the increase in the number of fires on board container ships some transport companies - in particular, German giant "Hapag-Lloyd," South Korean company "HMM", Hong Kong company «Orient Overseas Container Line" (OOCL) - recently imposed fines on shippers for incorrectly declared dangerous goods. In order to detect violations, carriers introduce additional inspections of containers.

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On August 29, 2019, the meeting of the Government of the Russian Federation was held, chaired by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and with the participation of Alexander Shohin, President of the «Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs» (RSPP).

At the Government meeting, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia has a national plan for the development of competition and adopted «road maps» for certain sectors of the economy. The Prime Minister expressed hope that at the autumn session the State Duma of Russian Federation will adopt draft of a bill on limiting the establishment of unitary enterprises. Earlier it became known that the Head of the Government of the Russian Federation approved an interdepartmental program for 2019-2023 to identify and suppress cartels and other agreements which limit the competition.

Experts of «IDGCA» NP believe that agreements which limit the healthy competition can include the agreement concluded in 2017 between the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and Federal Autonomous Institution «Russian Maritime Register of Shipping» («RMRS» FAU). It should be noted that such an agreement not only gave an unlimited advantage to the provision of paid services to «RMRS» FAU, but also to its numerous hidden structures, which officially and informally operate under the "roof" of «RMRS» FAU. Therefore, using the powers of «RMRS» FAU, transferred by the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, these structures can easily displace their competitors from the maritime market. Such organizations include: the Certification Association «Russian Register» and its numerous private structures, «Marine Cargo Bureau» LLC , «Marine Engineering Bureau» LLC (Odessa city) and others.

Thus, experts of «IDGCA» NP believe that damage to honest business can be caused not only by state monopolies, but also by their «journeymen», acquiring to themselves a special right to perform services in certain directions of activity.

The Informal Working Group on Inspection and Certification of Tanks has prepared proposals to amendments of Chapter 6.8 and subparagraphs 1.8.7 and 1.8.6 of the Model Regulations of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, as well as those based on the Model Regulations of ADR, ADN and RID.

The proposals will be submitted to the UN secretariat for discussion at the autumn session of the Joint Meeting of the RID Committee of Experts and the Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, which will be held in Geneva from 17 to 27 September 2019. Also at the session will be presented the report of the 12th meeting of the informal working group on inspection and certification of tanks, which took place in Madrid (Spain) from 10 to 11 July 2019, and other documents included in the agenda

All documents of the session are available on the www.unece.org website.

At the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, a regular meeting (6th session) of the Subcommittee on the Transport of Goods and Containers (CCC) will be held from 9 to 13 September 2019, in accordance with the agenda.

According to the secretariat, the Subcommittee will continue its consideration of a number of codes, including the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code). The following will also be considered:

• Temporary guidelines for the use of high manganese austenitic steel and related guidance for approving alternative metallic material for cryogenic service (OW 35);
• incidents involving dangerous goods or marine pollutants in packaged form on board ships or in port areas (OW 19);
• Inspection programmes for cargo transport units carrying dangerous goods;
• Amendments to the CSS Code;

By Order of the Government of the Russian Federation ? 1930-r of August 30 2019, a new version of the Strategy for the Development of maritime transport of the Russian Federation until 2030 was approved. The new version of the Strategy, taking into account the current political and socio-economic situation in the country and the world, defines the priorities, goals and objectives of Russian maritime transport for the long term. The implementation of the goals and objectives of the national maritime policy defined by the new version of the Strategy will allow to strengthen Russian position among the leading maritime powers by 2030, to achieve sustainable development of the main directions of maritime transport.

Source:www.government.ru

One of the established international transport documents confirming that dangerous goods are properly marked, packed and laid in accordance with international and national requirements is the multimodal declaration for dangerous goods, which is applicable in all modes of transport. In 2004, in order to improve the safety of the transport of dangerous goods, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, by Order ¹ ÌÔ-34/195 of 23 March 1998, identified four organizations recognized in the field of the transport of dangerous goods, which, on behalf of shippers (cargo owners) and on the basis of the data provided by them, have the right to develop, register and issue declarations and certificates for dangerous goods.

One of such companies is ZAO «Russian Register» JSC. (100% subsidiary of "IDGCA" NP). Unfortunately, currently unscrupulous companies have appeared on the market of expert services, which work under a foreign name and offer their expert services, without having the proper competence. Such declarations may provide to port authorities with unreliable information.

In order to prevent forgery of declarations, «IDGCA» NP maintains a register and registration of all issued declarations and certificates for dangerous goods. Any official responsible for the safety of the transport of dangerous goods may, when applying to the IDGCA office verify the authenticity of the declaration. Having its trained representatives in many regions of the Russian Federation, «Russian Register» JSC performs inspection of cargo transport units and performs inspection of dangerous goods with issuance of a certificate of conformity, including confirmation of the information specified in the multimodal declaration.

On August 30, an examination of students trained in the training program «Loading and unloading of dangerous goods in seaports and inland of water transport» was held at the International Staff Training Center (ISTC). It was the 24th training group which was held in 2019.

It is a good tradition of the center to report at training sessions and during the examination on key problems related to the work of the enterprises they represent and the specifics of their activities, which not only enrich the almost important information of ISTC teachers, but also allows to the center and to the secretariat of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers («IDGCA» NP) formulate proposals to improve the organization, technologies and procedures for the transport, loading and unloading of dangerous goods and containers.

Graduates of the 24th Training Group of ISTC are presented for certification in IDGCA as advisers on safety of transportation of dangerous goods. IDCGA is the only public organization in the Russian Federation which has legitimate right to carry out certification of advisers on the basis of the Quality and Management Systems (SQS) registered in Federal Agency on Technical Regulating and Metrology (the certificate ¹ ROSS RU.I159.04OH00 of 27.12.2004).

Besides training, ISTC is developing a multimodal declaration for dangerous goods and making inspections of cargo transport units with «Russian Register» JSC.

A number of organizations, including the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IPIECA), the International Council on Combustion Engines (CIMAC), the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) and the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), have developed a joint industry project - The supply and use of 0,5 oil-sulphur marine fuel.

The guidelines provide recommendations to stakeholders in the field of ship fuel and shipping, from fuel mix manufacturers and suppliers to end-users. It presents specific safety and operational issues related to the supply and use of bunker fuels with no more than 0.50% sulphur content, an overview of fuel quality requirements and necessary controls to identify, prevent and/or mitigate safety concerns.

The manual addresses issues such as fuel compatibility and stability, as well as fuel handling and storage. Provides a complete overview of existing operational factors that may affect safety. The guidance does not address compliance with flag State, port State or IMO regulations or guidelines or alternative means of conformity (e.g. exhaust gas purification systems), nor does it address the discussion of alternative fuels such as LNG, hydrogen or methanol. In addition to the guidance, an electronic training course will be prepared in October to understand MARPOL Annex VI and its potential impact on-board fuel use, as well as to raise awareness and address potential problems associated with it.

Source:www.lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com

This theme has been selected by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as the World Maritime theme for 2020. This theme was proposed at the 122nd session, which was held at IMO headquarters in London from 15 to 19 July 2019, by Kitak Lim - Secretary-General of IMO. The year 2020 will mark the decade of the transition towards sustainable future for shipping industry, with the support of the IMO regulatory framework: the measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions and the reduce the sulphur content of ships' fuel oil has adopted, the Ballast Water Management Convention has been implemented to protect polar regions, the efficiency of shipping through the electronic exchange of information has been improved, the problem of digitisation of shipping has been solved and the rights of women in the maritime community have been enhanced.

We remind that the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 which has been adopted by world leaders in September 2015 and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were set out at the historic United Nations summit officially entered into force since January 1, 2016.

On August 22 2019 the website www.rzd-partner.ru has published an article entitled "The Regulations for the transport of dangerous goods should be general”. According to the experts of "IDGCA”, the article is hardly correct, including the title. The Regulations for the transport of dangerous goods cannot be common.

There are goods classified as dangerous which, under certain conditions, cannot be carried by certain type (s) of transport. Meanwhile there is a baselined document- the Model Regulations of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods- which are the framework for developing regulations for the transport of dangerous goods by different mode of transport. The Model Regulations has been developed by experts of the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 1953.

The author of the article refers to GOST R 57478-2017 "Dangerous goods. Classification, "which did not enter into force (see Order of the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology of February 22, 2018 ? 93-rd "Amendments to the Order of the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology of May 30, 2017 ? 454-th " Approval of the National Standard of the Russian Federation." In addition, it should be noted that, in accordance with the national legislation of the Russian Federation, GOST is a recommendation document, and any references to it are not correct. The author claims that in the European Agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road there are no subclasses. But it is also hardly correct. They are (1 and 2 hazard classes). In this document( in the interpretation of the Model Regulations of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods) subclasses of 4, 5, and 6 classes of hazard are termed as classes, that is why in ADR there are 13 hazard classes rather than 9 as in the Model Regulations.

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It the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea, where the vessel-naming ceremony was held, took place the christening of two tankers co-owned by Swedish-owned Marinvest and Waterfront Shipping, Mari Couva and Mari Kokako. The two tankers have secured long-term charters with Methanex, the world’s largest methanol producer. Several shipowners have expressed an interest in investing in methanol-fuelled vessels. But most shipowners although are waiting on a regulatory update before committing any investments.

The operations of such vessels are currently subject to the International Maritime Organization’s safety code for ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels, commonly cited as International Code of Safety for Ship Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), which began to apply on January 1, 2017. The IGF Code reflects the main directions of technological development of the industry, which reduce the level of environmental pollution and reduce the costs associated with the operation of ships. The adoption of the Code provided a technical opportunity for the unified use of natural gas as a motor fuel on ships. Responding to the evolving marine fuel market of new marine fuels, the IMO has drafted interim guidelines for the use of methanol and ethanol, which are expected to be confirmed in 2020.

Owners of LNG carriers are among the first to adopt LNG as marine fuel. The same trend is repeated in the methanol market — the first cargo ships to burn this alternative fuel are designated to transport methanol. Many shipowners who have already chosen methanol as fuel have noticed clear cost savings. Some people have doubts that use of methanol and LNG will not deliver a halving of carbon dioxide from ship emissions, however, many count on it.

Still, such bio-sourced fuels will have to gain confidence from the shipping community and maritime regulators.

Source:www.lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com (translation of “IDGCA” NP)

Within the period from 19 to 23 August 2019 the International Staff Training Centre (ISTC) has conducted a training course for the Baltic customs inspectors according to the “Safety conditions for handling, opening and inspection of cargo transport units which contains dangerous goods” The training course included both lectures and practical exercises, including an exit session at the port "Bronka". In the course of the questions asked by the listeners, there were those which could only be resolved at the Federal level. Graduates of the course, who successfully passed the final examination on August 23, are presented for certification in "IDGCA" NP as inspectors on dangerous goods.

The results of training course showed full satisfaction of inspectors with its content, efficiency, organizational support and work of teachers.

On September 12-13, 2019, the XII International Forum "Transport Potential" will be held in St. Petersburg. The event will be held with the support and participation of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, the Eurasian Economic Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation, Russian Railways JSC and other relevant departments developing and implementing state policy in the field of transport.

The two-day business program will address the development of freight transport of railway, road and water transport. Much attention will be paid to the problems of regulatory and legal support of cargo transportation, prospects for the development of the logistics services market, tariff policy, customs regulation issues, opportunities to improve conditions for uninterrupted international transport of goods and many others.

The main outcome of the Forum will be a Resolution with proposals of participants, which will be sent to the authorities to improve the sectoral legislation. Representatives of "IDGCA" NP are active participants of this forum.

More information about the forum can find at forumrtp.ru

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation issued Order ?. 507n of 18 July 2019 " Approval of the Professional Standard" Stevedore. " The purpose of the stevedore activity, according to the standard, is to carry out safe loading and unloading in the port. To take up the position of stevedore, secondary vocational education will be required under a specialized training program conducted at least once every five years, or higher specialized education (bachelor 's degree). Refer obligatory preliminary, periodic and extraordinary medical examinations (inspections) to special conditions of admission. It will be necessary to undergo training in safe methods and techniques of work, training in labor safety, training in the workplace and testing of knowledge of labor safety requirements. At the same time for the position "stevedore" the standard does not impose requirements to work experience. For the position of "major stevedore," there is a requirement of at least one year in the position of stevedore.

The International Staff Training Centre (ISTC). provides training courses on the transport and handling of dangerous goods in different modes of transport. The training is based on the study of international conventions, rules and standards, as well as the national legal framework in this field. Upon successful completion of the training, students are issued with advanced training certificates, and graduates of courses who have passed the final examination of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association receive certificates of advisers on the safety of the transport of dangerous goods, followed by posting of the relevant data on the IDGCA website.

The International Organization for Standardization. (ISO) Updated its technical standard ISO 7010 for Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs, including signs marking emergency exits. ?s of August 2019 the latest version is ISO 7010:2019.

The standard includes all previous amendments, as well as water safety signs and beach safety flags previously specified in ISO 20712 (which has been canceled). The standard differs from the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals established by the United Nations for standardization of classification and labelling of hazardous materials.

ISO 7010 prescribes safety signs for accident prevention, fire protection, health hazard information and emergency evacuation. ISO 7010 was developed by ISO subcommittee ISO/TC 145/SC 2, Safety identification, signs, shapes, symbols and colours, the secretariat of which is held by DIN, ISO’s member for Germany.

A working meeting was held in the Unified Entrepreneurship Center (St. Petersburg) affiliated with representatives of the Governments of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region with the participants of the market of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region to consider the pilot project of the Information System of monitoring transaction of petrochemicals în àugust, 14.

The relevance of the meeting is due to the fact that "black" and "grey" markets of petrochemicals, unfortunately, occupy a place in the total volume of transaction of these vital energy supplies for the economy of the country and its population.

There are cases of sale of surrogate goods, fraudulent actions to obtain illegal profit, manipulation by changing the density of petrochemicals, etc. A great part of petrochemicals are dangerous goods of the third class of danger (Class 3 (flammable liquids)), many of them are "goods of the increased danger" (goods that can be used for terrorist purposes).

The Vice-President of NP "Oil Club of St. Petersburg" Andrei Miheev discoursed the presentation concerning the mentioned problems and the proposed ways to solve them. As a result of the discussion of the agenda issues, it was decided to continue work on the creation of the Information System of monitoring transaction of petrochemicals.

Deputy Director General of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association, Director of the International Staff Training Center (ISTC) Tsikhiseli V.G. took part in this meeting.

Evergreen, transport operator, has told clients that it fines of $35,000 per container would be imposed for hiding information about dangerous goods or incorrectly declaring dangerous goods. This is the largest amount of fine declared by the lines to date. According to the Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS), nearly 25% of all serious incidents aboard container ships involve incorrectly declared cargo.

In 2019, there were a large number of maritime incidents than in 2018. At the same time, in most cases, the causes of the incidents were established as incorrectly declared goods. Earlier plans to fine undeclared or incorrectly declared dangerous goods announced OOCL and Hapag-Lloyd. Maersk and HMM also intend to introduce similar measures. Container carriers will strengthen the rules for the acceptance of dangerous goods and the inspection of containers by conducting additional inspections before loading. The costs of incorrectly presenting the goods for carriage will be borne by the shipper. The new system of fines will enter into force on September 15, reports the Splash24/7.

The dangerous goods declaration – is the international transport document provided by the consignee who certifies that the cargo can be accepted for shipment and that it is properly packed, marked and supplied with signs of danger and is in a due state for transportation according to the international and national rules of transportation of goods. The best way is to trust professionals to avoid unacceptable mistakes and fines. “Russian Register” CJSC has been developing and issuing declarations for the transport of dangerous goods since 2004 and has established itself as a competent organization in this area. "Russian Register" CJSC provides a complex of services related to the transport of dangerous goods, including inspection of the laying and placement of goods on vehicles, verification of compliance of cargo packaging with transportation conditions, certification of containers in a voluntary certification system, services on cargo support and registration of permit documents. The field of declaration of dangerous goods requires not only special knowledge and special tools in the form of national/international regulations and standards, but also a lot of experience.

On August 7, 2019, the Department of Development Programs of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation will hold a meeting on the issue of analyzing the methodology for conducting research on the target state of priority services for paperless carriage of goods by road for the implementation of the Super Service “Paperless transport of passengers and cargoes”. At the meeting, a presentation on the development of Super Service was presented.

Super services are another feature of the state services portal. When they begin to work in full, the services themselves will remind themselves. Super services are planned to be opened as a platform for business.

What can be done with the help of super services?

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The container ship KOTA WANGSA (IMO 9123594, Singapore flag) lost 17 containers during a sailing from Chittagong to the ports of the Strait of Malacca, fleetmon.com reports. The cause of the incident was difficult weather conditions. The contents of the containers are not reported.

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On August 7, 2019, the Department of Development Programs of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation will hold a meeting on the issue of analyzing the methodology for conducting research on the target state of priority services for paperless carriage of goods by road for the implementation of the Super Service “Paperless transport of passengers and cargoes”. The meeting will be attended by General Director of “IDGCA” NP, M.I. Ognev, and Deputy General Director of “IDGCA” NP – Director of ISTC V.G. Tsikhiseli.

Recall that the project of Super Service “Paperless transport of passengers and cargoes” was presented in July by the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation. The project provides for online execution of documents for cargo transport by road and should start its work in our country until 2024. The development and implementation of the project, and seven other similar state super-services, are provided for by the national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation”.

Three workers died and six were poisoned by a toxic gas leak aboard a tanker which was under ship-breaking at the Chittagong shipyard in Bangladesh, World Maritime News reported. A gas leak occurred due to pipe damage in the engine room of “Medelin Atlas” ship.

In developing countries, ship-breaking takes place on unequipped shores, where (especially on older ships) asbestos, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls and heavy metals, as well as other cargoes classified as dangerous, pose a danger to people. Burns from explosions and fires, asphyxiation, injuries from falling metal and illness from toxins are usual for this industry.

When cutting the ship’s hull, high-temperature acetylene-oxygen burners are used. In this regard, there are constantly evaporating burning materials and harmful substances in the air. All this causes serious dangers and potential risks for workers. In developed countries, means of protection from harmful dust and fumes, as well as expensive insurance make the procedure of ship-breaking economically unprofitable. The cost of scrap metal obtained by cutting the ship's hull does not justify the costs incurred.

However, in the developing world, ships recycling plants remain profitable, since their owners do not spend money on protecting workers, and those, in conditions of general poverty, agree to work in life-threatening conditions. Moreover, the protective means used are insufficient or even absent.

According to reports from local regulatory authorities in Bangladesh, one worker dies weekly during ship-breaking of old ships, and on average one worker is seriously injured daily.Experts believe that, despite the developed national and international standards, for example, ISO 30000:2009 standard “Ships and marine technology. Ship recycling management systems. Specifications for management systems of enterprises for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships”, safety issues in ships recycling do not receive a sufficient attention from the point of view of labor protection.

The Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods of the United Nations Economic and Social Council has released an electronic version of the 21st edition of the UN Model Regulations.on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. The Model Regulations in electronic form are available in 3 languages: English, German and French.

The scope of application of the Model Regulations is intended to ensure their usefulness to anyone who is directly or indirectly involved in the transport of dangerous goods.

Experts of “IDGCA” NP use in their work exclusively updated versions of international documents and standards. This year, the library of “IDGCA” NP was replenished with a new 21st edition of the UN Model Regulations. Vol.1 Vol.2

Most of the international and national regulations in the field of dangerous goods turnover determine the requirements for enterprises and organizations involved in preparation for transportation, transportation, loading and unloading of dangerous goods on all types of transport. Chapters 1.3 of the Model Regulations of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, as well as all documents based on the Model Regulations (IMDGC, ADR, ADN, RID, Annex 2 to the Agreement on International Goods Transport by Rail) specify that persons transporting dangerous goods must be trained accordingly with their responsibilities in the area of dangerous goods requirements.

But currently there are no requirements for the training of civil servants in this field. This issue has been repeatedly discussed by experts on the transport of dangerous goods of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and of the UN ECOSOC, but no mandatory requirements have been developed.

However, the supervisory authorities gradually come to realize that their officials should be trained not only in the performance of their direct functions in the field of cargo inspection, but also in the requirements for safety and labor protection when working with dangerous goods, including the requirements for opening cargo transport units , in order to avoid accidents.

The International Staff Training Center (ISTC) has developed special programs for the training of inspectors of supervisory bodies, depending on their functional duties and official position. Representatives of the State Maritime and River Supervision of the Federal Service for Supervision of Transport have already been trained under this program. The next courses on “Safety Conditions for Processing, Opening and Inspection of Cargo Transport Units” program will be held in August for representatives of the Baltic Customs, which the ISTC has recently signed a government contract with.

July 19, Deputy Director General of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association, Director of the International Staff Training Center (ISTC), Vladimir Gerontievich Tsikhiseli, celebrates his anniversary.

Vladimir G. Tsikhiseli connected most of his life with the Armed Forces, having received the first shoulder marks of a pupil of Suvorov Military College in 1964 at the Caucasian Suvorov Military College (in the city of Ordzhonikidze, now Vladikavkaz). He graduated in the Military Engineering Academy named after A.F. Mozhaisky. From 1972 to 2002 he served at the Plesetsk launching site, and then at the Military Space Academy named after A.F. Mozhaisky.

He was awarded several government awards; the author of more than 90 scientific and methodical works, including 25 inventions, has medals of the USSR Exhibition of Economic Achievements; candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Thermodynamics and Cryogenic Engineering; Academician of the International Academy of Refrigeration; retired Colonel. He graduated from military service as a head of the Department of cryogenic equipment and filling equipment of Military Space Academy named after A.F. Mozhaisky.

In 2003 he headed the ISTC; he is a Scientific Secretary of the Expert Council of IDGCA; a repeated participant in the sessions of the UN ECOSOC Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, as well as an expert of the ISO/TC 220 technical committee for cryogenic vessels of the International Organization for Standardization.

Over the years, he has trained thousands of specialists in various specialties, including in the field of the transport of dangerous goods. The quality of training is so high that many large enterprises periodically send their specialists for an advanced training to the ISTC. Possessing the best personal and business qualities, Vladimir Gerontievich leaves the most positive impressions on people who have been trained at the International Center. The whole territory of Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union is the geography of his students. The recognition of his professional qualities comes not only from the students of the ISTC, but also from thousands of former cadets, who are military professionals now, and from the leaders of various enterprises, who studied at the Academy n.a. A.F. Mozhaisky. Vladimir Gerontevich accumulated his experience not only from scientific literature, but also from practical activities during his service at the Plesetsk launching site and at other facilities.

On his anniversary, Vladiminr Gerontievich is full of new aspirations and ideas for the development of the International Staff Training Center. The President, the Director General, the employees, and the members of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association congratulate Vladimir Gerontevich on his anniversary and express gratitude for many years of noble work, wish him good health and long years of work in IDGCA for the benefit of progress!

Ceremonial events dedicated to the 60th anniversary of one of the oldest sites for space-vehicle launching were held at the 1st State Test Space-Launch Complex of the Russian Federation in Plesetsk.

PLESETSK launching site is the northernmost and one of the largest launching sites of the world, providing part of Russian and international space programs related to commercial, as well as applied, scientific and defense launches of unmanned space vehicles. The history of the Plesetsk launching site begins on January 11, 1957, when a decision of the USSR Government to create an object with the code name Angara was adopted. Initially, it was a compound of missile regiments armed with intercontinental ballistic missiles R-7, the development of which was conducted under the guidance of Academician S.P. Korolyov.

When in the early 60s of the last century it became necessary to expand the space activity, it was decided to use the launch complexes built in Plesetsk for launching space vehicles. On March 17, 1966 at 13 hours 28 minutes the first such launch took place. Currently, works with the carrier rockets of the light class “Angara-1.2”, “Soyuz-2.1v”, “Rokot”, the middle class “Soyuz-2.1a”, “Soyuz-2.1b”, and the heavy class “Angara -A5” are carried out at the launching site.

The celebration gathered hundreds of veterans of the launching site from different regions of Russia. After the ceremonial lining-up of the personnel, the veterans visited the main facilities of the complex: the assembly and test building, where the preliminary preparation and assembly of the missiles is carried out, and the launching facility. The veterans were awarded commemorative medals and souvenirs.

The attention paid by the Government of the Russian Federation to the development of the launching site in Plesetsk instills confidence in the continuation of the rich traditions of Russian cosmonautics. The retired colonel and the director of the International Staff Training Center (ISTC), Vladimir G. Tsikhiseli, took part in the celebration. Soon he will also celebrate his anniversary.

At the beginning of June the baggage dispensing has become a great problem for passengers of the Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow. The press service of the airport reported that the situation will stabilize by the end of June. On June 5, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation promised to respond harshly to the situation if it is not normalized as soon as possible. On June 29 and 30 again a large amount of baggage (about 9 thousand units) was not sent to its destination. Also, about 1.5 thousand units of baggage have accumulated in Sheremetyevo due to late flights caused by high thunderstorm activity. In addition, there were technical problems at the terminal D - the baggage tape did not work for about 30 minutes. On June 28 the aircraft parking place at terminal B of the airport was flooded with water. In July 2019, a number of managers of “Sheremetyevo Handling” LLC were dismissed. It is noted that a similar situation was observed in 2018.

At the same time, in July 2018, Sheremetyevo International Airport passed the recertification of the quality management and environmental management system according to the new versions of MS ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 standards and the management system in the field of industrial safety and labor protection for compliance with the international OHSAS 18001: 2007 standard. Such serious certification should guarantee high quality of services; however, the opposite is true.

Experts of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association believe that the certification of the quality management system, with the existing practice, has a formal nature, and is expressed in the form of issuing a “well done” paper. It takes a lot of money and time to receive such documents; this money could be invested in the purchase of new equipment, personnel training and management system improvements. According to Sheremetyevo Airport, the certification of the airport’s quality management system was carried out by “Russian Register” Certification Association. Thus, not only the aircraft parking was damaged by water, but also the reputation of the certification body was damaged by this case.

The International Staff Training Center (ISTC) has launched a new training program for specialists who operate equipment for liquefied natural gas terminals

The program takes into account the requirements and recommendations of national legislation, as well as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO), the International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers (GIIGNL), the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and other specialized international organizations. The program pays special attention to studying the requirements for maritime operations conducted during the transportation and transfer of cargo in port, and the order of ship-to-shore interaction. Recently, in Vyborg, this program was successfully completed by employees of one of the organizations that are part of “GAZPROM” PJSC. Staff training will be conducted on an ongoing basis upon as and when the groups are formed.

The International Staff Training Center has a license to carry out educational activities ? 1734 dated February 20, 2016, is certified by the international certification body DNV GL in the provision of additional vocational education services, and also complies with ISO 9001:2015 standard, “Quality Management Systems. Requirements”.

The Ministry of Transport proposed to suspend the installation rules for GLONASS or GLONASS/GPS navigation equipment until May 31, 2020. The project proposing to postpone the entry into force of the rules for installing navigation equipment on vehicles carrying dangerous goods is under public discussion.

Previously, these rules were already suspended until July 1, 2019 due to the lack of equipment on the market. The current proposal to postpone, as indicated in the explanatory note to the draft Decree, is connected with the absence in the legislation of the requirements that the information transmitted through this system is not subjected to correction. In addition, it is not indicated that this equipment is a measurement instrument.

Under existing conditions, the data transmitted by such equipment cannot be legally relevant and cannot be used against violators.

Source:www.4dk.ru

The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation has developed the first Rules regulating transportation of container-trailers. Now it is regulated by the obsolete order of the Ministry of Railways of Russia "On Approving the Rules for the Transport of Automotive Vehicles".

Currently, the draft order has already passed a stage of public discussion and has been sent for independent anti-corruption expertise.

Source:www.trans.ru

On July 1, 2019 at the Petkim terminal (Aliaga port, Izmir Province, Turkey) an explosion occurred during the injection of liquefied petroleum gas on the Italian tanker Synzania.

The fire was promptly extinguished, but 16 people were injured, one died. The causes of the incident are being investigated.

Source:www.ria.ru

The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) has published the Preparedness Plan For IMO Requirements on Maximum Permissible Sulfur Levels 2020 to prepare the country's shipping industry for new restrictions on emissions of sulfur oxides from ships.

The document gives an overview of the basic requirements for sulfur content in bunker fuel, describes the main preparatory stages before January 1, 2020, and presents the main measures and recommendations for ensuring compliance with new standards for bunker fuel.

Source: www.shipandbunker.com

The International Staff Training Center (ISTC) has developed a new training program for specialists involved in the loading and unloading of liquefied natural gas. The program includes a study of the requirements for handling mooring lines.

Next week, the first group of specialists trained in a new direction will have field classes in Vyborg.

The 55th session of the UNECE Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the 37th session of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals will be held from 1 to 5 July, 2019 in the Palais des Nations (Geneva).

The provisional agenda for the session is available at www.unece.org Russian version of the agenda (translation of “IDGCA” NP) “IDGCA” NP experts will take part in the session. Upon completion of the session, information on the outcome of the session will be posted on “IDGCA” NP website.

When insuring cargo, insurance companies attract surveyors and inspection organizations to reduce the risk of occurrence of insurance cases. Loading and unloading of heavyweights and their transportation are complex and very demanding operations; therefore, highly qualified surveyors with professional knowledge and experience should be involved in inspections.“Russian Register” Closed Joint Stock Company (a subsidiary of “IDGCA” NP) recently conducted an inspection of a cargo unit weighing 380 tons.

Cargo delivery was carried out by several types of transport, including sea and river routes, and was successfully completed."Russian Register" CJSC performs survey and inspection works of high complexity since 2002, and has established itself as an independent company with an impeccable reputation.

At the 23rd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), which was held from 6 to 8 June, “TransContainer” PJSC and the Government of the Kaliningrad Region concluded an agreement on cooperation in the framework of the project for the construction of a transport-and-logistics center (TLC) on the territory of the Chernyakhovsk industrial park. The TLC in Chernyakhovsk is intended for transshipment of transit containers from the Russian standard rail gauge (1,520 mm) to the European rail gauge (1,435 mm) and inversely.

The processing capacity of the TLC should be at least 500 thousand TEU (equivalent to a twenty-foot container).“TransContainer” PJSC has concluded agreements with COSCO SHIPPING on the creation of a joint venture. The companies intend to offer each other competitive rates for transportation, mutually use the container fleet, develop multimodal services and attract new cargo flows.

From 05 to 14 June 2019, the 101st session of the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was held. The Committee adopted amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the international IMO codes, as well as a number of recommendatory resolutions and circulars. The session continued the discussion of approaches to the international legal regulation for autonomous maritime surface vessels (AMSV).

The Committee will continue to pay attention to important issues during its upcoming sessions in 2020 and 2021 regarding measures to respond to possible threats to vessel safety when using new fuels.

The next 102nd session of the Maritime Safety Committee is scheduled for May 2020.

In 2010, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decided to celebrate the International Day of the Seafarer on June 25th. It is worth noting that the date set is dedicated to the work of seafarers. Its main goal is to acquaint the world community with the pressing problems of people of maritime professions. After all, thanks to the great contribution of people who have linked their lives with the sea, world trade, the economy and all of civil society as a whole receive additional development.

This year, the International Maritime Organization urges the public to empower women who have linked their lives with work at sea. “IDGCA” NP congratulates all seafarers of civil specialties, both active and retired, on their professional holiday – International Day of the Seafarer.

URALCHEM, JSC starts a large-scale project, in the framework of which it plans to increase the volume of calcium nitrate produced. Expansion of the production capacity will be held in the branch of KChKK, Kirovo-Chepetsk. According to the project, the existing capacity for the production of calcium nitrate, which is 135 thousand tons per year, is planned to increase by 93 thousand tons. For these purposes, a new production complex will be built at the plant. The estimated launch date is the end of 2020.

Calcium nitrate concentrated is the flagship product in the line of water-soluble SOLAR fertilizers, which was developed as part of the import substitution program. It contains at least 98% of calcium nitrate as a chemical compound, which is more than in similar products from other global manufacturers. It is widely used in agriculture as a fertilizer, in the oil and gas industry as a raw material in the production of well-killing solutions, as well as a component of emulsion explosives and an anti-frost additive for concrete in construction.

Source: www.uralchem.ru

A container train was launched on the route Zibo (Chinese Province Shandong) - Yekaterinburg (Sverdlovsk Railway) through the Zabaykalsk border crossing. The first train left China on May 22 and arrived at the destination station on May 30. Time en route decreased, compared with single shipments and was 8 days. The railroad train included containers with household appliances, a total of 134 TEU. Scheduled trips of trains on a new route are planned on a regular basis. The new service allows customers to reduce the time and cost of delivery of goods.

In addition, on May 30, the first container train to Ugolnaya station (Far Eastern Railway) departed from Bezymyanka station (Kuibyshev railway). The train was carrying consumer goods produced in the Samara, Penza, Orenburg regions, as well as in the Republic of Tatarstan, with a total amount of 68 TEU.

Source: trcont.com

Mr. Romain Hubert will start working as Chief of “Dangerous Goods and Road Safety Management Section” from 1 June 2019. In that capacity he will undertake Secretariat of the following bodies:

• ECOSOC Committee of Experts on the TDG and on the GHS;
• ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the TDG;
• RID/ADR/ADN Joint Meeting; and
• ADN Administrative and Safety committees

Management and staff of “IDGCA” NP congratulates Mr. Romain Hubert on his appointment and wishes him successful and fruitful work.

Sergey Sergeevich Pupko, who is also a co-owner of "NKT" Ltd., was appointed Director General of "Novye kommunalnye tekhnologii" Ltd. ("New Utility Technologies" Ltd.) (NKT).

"Novye kommunalnye tekhnologii" Ltd. is a member of "IDGCA" NP since December 01, 2018.

"IDGCA" NP, represented by President, G.Y. Moshkov, and Director General, M.I Ognev, congratulates Sergei Sergeyevich on his appointment and wishes him successful, effective work in a responsible position.

URALCHEM, JSC took part in the 13th international exhibition Caspian Agro 2019, which was held in Baku, Azerbaijan. During the event, URALCHEM presented its products, held business negotiations with directors of the official representative office of the world-famous chemical company BASF in the Republic of Azerbaijan, and also with ADAfer from Turkey.

Caspian Agro is an annual international large forum of agricultural and commodity producers. The main objective of the event is to promote the development of agriculture in the region, the introduction of advanced technologies in the agro-industrial complex of Azerbaijan, as well as the exchange of best practices and the strengthening of business ties between local and foreign farmers.

Source: www.uralchem.ru

On May 21, the annual general meeting of shareholders of "TransContainer" PJSC, where the new board of directors was elected, took place. Deputy Chief of the Center for Corporate Transport Services (CCTS), Alexander Khatyanov, replaced the first deputy head of CCST of the Russian Railways, Sergey Tugarinov.

The rest of the board of directors of the company, which includes 11 people, remained unchanged. It consists of Deputy General Director of Russian Railways, Andrei Starkov, Sergey Ludin (Managing Director of Invest AG), David Davidovich (Deputy Director General of "Millhouse" Ltd.), Lea Verni (Chairman of the Board of Directors of Zoltav Resources), Maxim Gavrilenko (Vice President of "CRS Investment Advisers" Ltd.), Evgeny Zaltsman (Managing Partner, Inventure Partners). The board of directors also includes advisor to the general director of Russian Railways, Alexei Taicher, head of the central directorate for managing the terminal and warehouse complex of Russian Railways, Alexei Belsky, head of the security department of Russian Railways, Viktor Shendrik and head of the economy department of Russian Railways, Vladimir Gaponko.

On May 30-31, 2019, the IX International Transport Security Forum will be held in St. Petersburg. The event will be held with the support and participation of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the Russian Emergencies Ministry, the Federal Security Service of Russia and other relevant federal and regional authorities, commercial and public organizations.

Representatives of IDGCA are permanent participants of this interesting and very useful forum, which discusses issues related to transport safety, including the carriage of dangerous goods.

Programm.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been granted observer status at the Arctic Council. This will allow IMO to build on previous cooperation with the Arctic Council and engage in close collaboration on a range issues related to shipping in the Arctic, in particular, search and rescue, pollution response and maritime safety and protection of the marine environment. IMO has adopted the Polar Code , which provides mandatory requirements for ships operating in the harsh environment of the Polar regions, to provide additional protection on top of existing mandatory rules, for ship design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue and environmental protection matters. IMO is currently developing develop measures to reduce the risks of use and carriage of heavy fuel oil as fuel by ships in Arctic waters. IMO's "Guide on Oil Spill Response in Ice and Snow Conditions", approved in 2016, was developed in coordination with the Arctic Council's Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR) Working Group. The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental organization which promotes greater coordination and cooperation among the Arctic States, among other things. The members of the Arctic Council are Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the United States.

On March 21, 2019, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree appointing Dmitry Zverev as Secretary of State - Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation. Earlier, Dmitry Zverev worked at the branch of the Scientific Research Institute of Air Navigation of the "State Research Institute of Civil Aviation" Federal State Unitary Enterprise, and also served as Deputy Federal Medical-Biological Agency.

Recall that earlier the position of State Secretary was held by Sergei Aristov, he passed away in December last year.

During April 4-5th, 2019, XV International conference was held in Peterhof, devoted to transport of dangerous goods by various types of transport. The conference organizer was IDGCA, its operator – International Staff Training Center (ISTC).

Goals and tasks, which the conference organizer initiated in Peterhof, were not traditional. Main task was not only bring to audience understanding of requirements of international conventions and agreements concerning transport of dangerous goods, but also to generalize positive and negative practice of application on Russian territory of international conventions and agreements concerning transport of dangerous goods; to analyze reasons of artificially created administrative barriers, cases of unfair competition and abuse of rights. According to opinion of organizers, participants and guests, the conference attained its goals, experts in their reports made review of international rules concerning transport of dangerous goods, estimated forthcoming changes in rules and their harmonization.

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Efficiency of the state’s economic development mostly depends from existing system of technical regulation. Application of demands of International Agreements, Conventions, Codes on the country’s territory should be covered by special Government’s attention.

Realization of International agreements is as a rule delegated to competent authorities, appointed by Government. Competent authority on transport in Russian Federation is Ministry of transport of RF. Realization of demands of international agreements in one country territory calls the authorities to be both delicate and competent. In particular, application of International Maritime Code for Dangerous Goods in the territory of Russia turned out to be not easy proofing for Russian business.

How to avoid possible shocks occurred with application of international rules in one state territory? How to create open, transparent and understandable system of technical regulation which would combine international and national laws? How to tie up freedom of enterprise with necessary safety norms?

You can receive answers to these and other questions, important to business and authorities on the forthcoming international conference. Conference organizing committee invites to participate in this important event all those who is not indifferent to existing problems in the sphere of international and national technical regulation, who tends to make it perfect, in particular in the sphere of transport of dangerous goods.

Conference Organizers consider that necessary condition for one state economic development is fair competition, technical and legal competence of business and authorities.

We invite you to participate in our Event!

The main type of "bunker" oil for ships is heavy fuel oil, derived as a residue from crude oil distillation. Crude oil contains sulphur which, following combustion in the engine, ends up in ship emissions. Sulphur oxides (SOx) are known to be harmful to human health, causing respiratory symptoms and lung disease. In the atmosphere, SOx can lead to acid rain, which can harm crops, forests and aquatic species, and contributes to the acidification of the oceans. Limiting SOx emissions from ships will improve air quality and protects the environment.

What is the current regulation on SOx in ships emissions and by how much is that going to be improved? We are going to see a substantial cut: to 0.50% m/m (mass by mass) from 3.50% m/m. For ships operating outside designated emission control areas the current limit for sulphur content of ships’ fuel oil is 3.50% m/m. The new limit will be 0.50% m/m which will apply on and after 1 January 2020.

What must ships do to meet the new IMO regulations?

IMO is working with Member States as well as industry (including the shipping industry and the bunker supply and refining industry) to identify and mitigate transitional issues so that ships may meet the new requirement.

Source:www.imo.org

On February 20, 2019 PortNews portal published an interview with the Director General of Marine Cargo Bureau Ltd., Alexander Sitov.

IDGCA NP experts, as well as other readers, distinguishing the tare from the vessel, were puzzled by the presentation of the "New requirements for the tare and equipment for ensuring fire safety of transport operations with dangerous goods".Indeed, the article by Alexander Sitov provides paradoxical conclusions, when the rules concerning the hull and equipment of sea vessels will apply to containers and packaging intended for the transport of dangerous goods by various modes of transport.

We quote only one text fragment from the article:

"The introduction of the term and its corresponding requirements into the Rules will allow for the practical implementation of new means and methods for extinguishing fires in confined spaces at the stage of their occurrence," said Alexander Sitov.

What new means and methods of fire extinguishing in confined spaces is the author talking about? And what has that to do with the provision of fire safety of transport operations. Also, it seems, the author is not familiar with the classes and subclasses of dangerous goods. And the term "fire-safe/fireproof packaging" is a real nonsense.It makes no sense to comment on the whole the article, since it represents a set of terms, definitions and fantasies that are not related to each other.

Obviously, the author somewhere picked up the idea of creating a transport unit with an autonomous fire extinguishing system, designed to transport dangerous goods. This idea was indeed articulated by IDGCA NP in the International Maritime Organization and the UN Sub-Committee of Experts 10 years ago.

One can imagine what kind of document these great figures can prepare in IMO. It may be even more absurd than the one that was prepared last year.

God forbid, if in a year or three, as the author says, new terms, similar to those announced by Mr. Sitov, will appear in the Rules.

On January 24-25, 2019 a regular meeting of the informal working group on tank inspection and certification was held in Vienna, in the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Austria. The meeting was chaired by the representative of the British Ministry of Transport, Steve Gilingham. The meeting was attended by delegates from Germany, France, Poland, Finland, as well as representatives of the European Union and non-governmental organizations, including IDGCA NP. The meeting discussed the fundamental principles of changing chapter 6.2, chapter. 6.8 of RID, ADR in terms of administrative control, approval and inspection of tanks. The discussion also included the issue of mutual recognition of the results of approval and inspection carried out on behalf of the competent authorities of various states.

A detailed consideration was given to changes in the text of chapter 6.2 and chapter 6.8, including paragraphs 1.8.6 and 1.8.7 of chapter 6.8. Attention was paid to the possibility of applying national standards in the manufacture of tanks.

Following the meeting, proposals were prepared for the Joint Meeting of Experts of the RID Committee and the Working Group of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods of the UNECE Sub-Committee, which will take place in Bern on March 18-22, 2019.

More than three months, a batch of calcium carbide, intended for shipment to Sakhalin, was under the sanctions by the port authorities of Vladivostok and was not allowed to be loaded onto the vessel. The cargo belonged to the company TEK "Garant-Container" Ltd. The arguments and submitted transport documents, testifying to the compliance of the cargo with the requirements of IMDG Code and national regulatory requirements, were not accepted by the port authorities. The wording of the refusal to transportation was given in various interpretations and with reference to non-existent legal acts. However, all the arguments boiled down to the need to replace the certificate for the tare issued by CNIIMF JSC with the certificate issued by the RMRS FAI. The most "simple" solution that, after the appeal of TEK "Garant-Container" Ltd., was offered to the cargo owner was to reload the calcium carbide from the tare certified by CNIIMF JSC into the tare certified by the RMRS FAI. Advisors, who called themselves no more or less as a "competent authority", did not even suspect that such reloading in the port was extremely dangerous and, in principle, impossible. In all likelihood, they did not take into account the fact that calcium carbide, UN ¹ 1402, belongs to Hazard Division 4.3 - Substances that emit flammable gases when in contact with water; and as we know, moisture in the seaport is sufficiently high.

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International conventions, codes and standards are national wealth for the states which have ratified international documents and created a transparent and effective mechanism for implementation of the provisions of these international rules. International institutions which develop conventions, agreements, standards, etc. (such as UN, IMO, ISO, etc.), establish procedures that allow each state to have an adequate period of time to prepare national laws, to translate the texts on national languages, to carry out trainings and other necessary procedures to ensure a smooth transition of the economy and business to the new rules before their entry into force. As a rule, Governments assign the obligations for the implementation of international treaties to Administrations.

If Administrations do not fulfill their obligations, entry of international agreements into force can lead to extremely negative consequences for business and authorities. Sometimes officials exercising their authority to implement the provisions of international conventions use their position as an instrument of unfair competition and thereby create obstacles to the development of the state’s economy.

These and other issues will be widely discussed at the upcoming XV International Conference "Multimodal Transportation of Dangerous Goods", where business and government representatives are invited. Special attention will be paid to recent events related to the implementation of the provisions of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDGC) and the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR).

Today in Moscow they pay last respects to State Secretary, Deputy Minister of Transport, Sergey Alekseyevich Aristov.

The news of the premature death struck painfully on the hearts of all the people who knew him well in life and work.

IDGCA NP heads, on their own behalf and on behalf of their Partners, sincerely extend condolences to relatives, friends and colleagues of Sergey Aristov.Sergey Alekseevich has always supported the activities of IDGCA NP and promoted the development of the association. In April 2014, at the initiative of Sergey Alekseevich, an agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and IDGCA NP was signed.

The Management of IDGCA NP will always remember Sergey Alekseevich as a man of outstanding personality and highly professional leader.

According to the information of the cargo shipper, "Garant-Container" Ltd., the container loaded with calcium carbide was detained in the port of Vladivostok. Calcium carbide is used in acetylene production. According to the shipper, lack of supply of acetylene on Sakhalin Island could lead to disruption of operation of life-support facilities on the island.

The container has been staying in the port of Vladivostok since November 07, 2018, and is not accepted for transportation due to the ban orally set by the port authorities, who claim that the certificate for the container issued by "CNIIMF" JSC is invalid and refer to the letter of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation ¹ 05-03/19156-ÈÑ dated November 21, 2016. No official instructions are being made, and for a "solution to the problem", the shippers are sent to the RMRS. According to Garant-Container Ltd., the cargo has been prepared in full compliance with IMDG Code and has all necessary transport documents.

A fair question arises: "What is the policy of the Department of State Policy in the field of river and maritime transport?" Is it really to create artificial barriers for Russian business and drive it into a trap? However, the meeting held in the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation in Moscow on December 21, 2018 on the initiative of "IDGCA" NP makes us believe that the law will triumph and that those involved in the "tare case" will be brought to justice.

The government of the Russian Federation has postponed the introduction of requirements for carriers to provide certificates for tanks intended for the transport of dangerous goods to the traffic police.

The corresponding resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers was published on the official web site of legal information: publication.pravo.gov.ru According to the document, the requirements established within the framework of the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) with respect to certificates for tanks may not be applied until January 1, 2021.

As previously reported, according to ADR, for the transport of dangerous goods you need to have a certificate of type approval for the tank. However, in Russia there is no government agency appointed to issue such certificates.

As a temporary measure, the regional traffic police units issue or extend the validity of vehicle approval certificates for the transport of dangerous goods on the territory of Russia without requesting from the applicants certificates of type approval and testing or inspection of the tank.

On April 4-5, 2019, the 15th International Conference "Multimodal Transportation of Dangerous Goods and Containers" will be held at the New Peterhof Hotel in St. Petersburg. The slogan of the conference is "Indispensable conditions for economic development".

The conference program will include issues of interest to all the participants of the transport process – cargo owners, shippers, carriers, port authorities, ministries and departments

The organizer and moderator of the conference is International Staff Training Center (ISTC)..

Preliminary program: Next >>>

Meeting concerning certification of tare intended for the transport of dangerous goods is scheduled to be hold on December 21, 2018 in the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, in Moscow.

Based on the totality of events that occurred after spreading of letter ¹ 05-03/19156-ÈÑ dated November 21, 2016 signed by Klyuev V.V., it can be concluded that the suspension of CNIIMF JSC, DNIIMF JSC, Russian Register CJSC (IDGCA NP) from the work on certification was made consciously and in the interests of a certain group of persons. The purpose of the "defendants in the tare case" is completely understandable: all the clients are sent to one organization – "RMRS" – for receiving the paid services; and then, as a rule, to "Marine Cargo Bureau" Ltd. for testing.

"IDGCA" NP, its partners and hundreds of organizations affected by letter ¹ 05-03/19156-ÈÑ dated November 21, 2016, expect the new leadership of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation to take urgent measures to restore law and order, and to ensure conditions for fair competition.

Perhaps the meeting on December 21, 2018 will mark the beginning of positive trends in the "tare case".

Changes and additions to the Rules for the transport of dangerous goods by rail, Emergency cards for dangerous goods transported by railways of the CIS, Georgia, Latvia, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Estonia and the Rules for the transport of liquid goods in bulk in tank cars and hopper cars for transportation of petroleum bitumen were published on December 12, 2018 on the website of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation.

The Council on Rail Transport of the Commonwealth Member States provides information on the approval of amendments and additions to the Rules for the transport of dangerous goods by rail, Emergency cards for dangerous goods transported by railways of the CIS, Georgia, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Estonia and the Rules for the transport of liquid goods in bulk in tank cars and hopper cars for transportation of petroleum bitumen in connection with their coming into force from January 1, 2019.

You can find the new edition of the Rules on the website of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation.

From 05 to 07 December 2018, the VIII International Forum "The Arctic: Present and Future" was held in St. Petersburg. The forum covered large-scale projects related to the development of the Arctic shelf.

Special attention was paid to safe navigation, coastal infrastructure and the transport of dangerous goods in the Arctic.

A short meeting of "IDGCA" NP General Director, Ognev M.I., with Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, Head of Rosmorrechflot, Tsvetkov Y.A., took place on the forum. As the result of this meeting, they reached an agreement on holding a session on a problematic issue related to the certification of tare for the transport of dangerous goods. This session will be held on December 21, 2018 in the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation.

"IDGCA" NP expresses its gratitude to the moderators of the forum for the invitation to take part in this important and interesting event.

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) is meeting for its milestone 100th session, with a busy agenda encompassing maritime autonomous surface ships, fatigue guidance for seafarers, polar shipping, goal-based standards and other agenda items. The MSC will receive the report of a correspondence group which has been testing the proposed methodology for the regulatory scoping exercise on maritime autonomous surface ships, taking into account different levels of autonomy. Focusing on the human element, the MSC is expected to approve revised guidance on fatigue, a key tool for seafarers and ship operators.

On polar shipping, the MSC is expected to establish a working group to further consider how to move forward with developing mandatory and/or recommendatory measures for ships operating in polar waters but not currently covered by the Polar Code.Matters related to the goal-based ship construction standards for bulkers and oil tankers are on the agenda, following the successful initial verification of 12 Recognized Organizations by IMO GBS audit teams.

Amendments to update the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers are set to be adopted, alongside amendments to the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (SPS Code).

As previously reported, in the period from November 26 to December 4, 2018, the 54th session of the Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods will be held at the Palais des Nations (Geneva). One of the issues to be considered at this session is the development of the UN Model Regulations concerning the production, testing and operation of composite tanks, as well as other issues in accordance with the agenda. "IDGCA" NP experts will take part in the session.

As a part of the ongoing work in ISO/TC 220 "Cryogenic Vessels" technical committee of the International Organization for Standardization, "IDGCA" NP experts started analyzing and evaluating the next draft international standard ISO/DIS 21014 "Cryogenic vessels – Cryogenic insulation performance". This standard is devoted to the determination of the most important technical characteristics of the insulation of cryogenic vessels. The magnitudes of the loss of cryogenic products, as well as the limiting time during which cryogenic products may store in the vessel depend on these technical characteristics.

The degree of the insulation performance of cryogenic vessels is a determining factor in the economic efficiency of equipment intended for the storage and transportation of cryogenic liquids, in particular, liquefied natural gas.

"IDGCA" NP invites specialists and experts of the organizations involved to take part in the discussion of the draft standard. You can contact directly to IDGCA Secretariat: +7 (812) 740-20-19 or by email info@idgca.org

Experts of "IDGCA" NP drew the attention of the members of TC 246 "Containers" Technical Committee to the quality of development of national standards prepared on the basis of international ISO standards relating to high-capacity containers, as well as to placing in the text of national standards information about commercial organizations providing paid services. "IDGCA" NP experts estimate such information as an advertising of the activities of organizations. At the same time, standards developed on the basis of ISO standards are significantly different from the text of the international standard itself and not for the better.

A striking example of the above is GOST 52524 standard "Freight containers – Coding, identification and marking" developed on the basis of ISO 6346:1995 standard. The law on standardization does not allow deviations from the text of the international standard and certainly advertising organizations that provide paid services. "IDGCA" NP experts expressed their concern on the issue in the letter sent to the Technical Committee on November 14, 2018.The next meeting of TC 246 "Containers" will be held on November 22, 2018, and IDGCA experts may take part in this meeting.

The popularity of the International Staff Training Center (ISTC) has widespreaded beyond the borders of the Russian Federation long ago. Among the participants are managers of oil and gas terminals, representatives of the transport sector. In the period from October 22 to October 26, another group formed of representatives from enterprises from different regions of Russia was trained in ISTC in the organization and implementation of loading and unloading activities in relation to dangerous goods.

The group has successfully passed the exams, and its students are presented for certification in "IDGCA" NP to receive the titles of advisers on safe transportation of dangerous goods with the subsequent entry into the register of specialists. In the near future, the Association plans to raise the qualification requirements for candidates for the title of dangerous goods adviser, as well as to improve the procedure for their certification.

The 11th International Forum "Transport Opportunities" was held on October 18-19, 2018 in St. Petersburg. The main topic of the forum was the state policy in the field of freight transportation and transport opportunities of Russia. The forum was attended by representatives of the State Duma, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, Rostransnadzor, projects managers, and business representatives.

It was noted that one of the important tasks of the development of the Russian Federation is the development of competition in transport field. It was also noted that the Government of the Russian Federation pays special attention to import substitution. According to the head of projects for the development of export logistics of "REC" JSC, Kirillova A.G., the state provides assistance to exporters of domestic products in the form of compensation for transportation costs. The General Director of "IDGCA" NP, Ognev M.I., participated in the debate on Kirillova’s speech and noted that some officials of the Ministry of Transport not only do not support domestic business, but on the contrary, create conditions causing its suspension. In particular, he gave an example when the former director of the Department of State Policy for Marine and River Transport of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, V. Klyuev, issued an order that could suspend the release of products for export by Russian enterprises without any reason.

Despite numerous appeals by citizens and organizations with a request to suspend this order, the Administration of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation did not take any actions. At the same time, complaints addressed to the Administration of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation were answered by the head of the department who they complained on. The representative of the State Duma promised to take the situation under control and prepare an inquiry of deputy to the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation.

Within the framework of the forum a meeting was held at industry working sessions and round tables. "IDGCA" NP experts took part in the session "Opportunities of Russian ports and optimization of cargo transportation by water transport". The session discussed the issue of training and certification of supervisory authorities and training of specialists on dangerous goods in general. Attention was drawn to the absence of a procedure which could allow representatives of supervisory authorities to present at the opening of transport units without the risk of harming themselves and others.

Director of "Association of pilot organizations" NP, Ryabokon V.A., drew attention to the work of the Department of State Policy for Marine and River Transport of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and considered it unsatisfactory in terms of preparing regulatory documents in the field of safe navigation and creating business-friendly conditions in seaports. "IDGCA" NP expresses gratitude to the hosts of the forum for the opportunity to express our position.

On October 19, International Staff Training Center (ISTC) held a final exam in a group of students trained in the training program for specialists in the organization and implementation of loading and unloading activities in relation to dangerous goods. It was the 18th training group, which was trained in ISTC in 2018. The next classes will take place from October 22 to October 26, 2018.

In the territory of Multipurpose sea transshipment facility of Bronka (MSTF "Bronka", Big port St. Petersburg) bunkering of vessels will be carried out by the liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The memorandum of cooperation was concluded on October 3, 2018 within the VIII St. Petersburg international gas forum by the CEO of LLC Gazprom Gas Motor Fuel Mikhail Likhachev and the CEO of operator of Bronka (LLC Phoenix) port Nikolay Negodov.

Within cooperation of the parties study of a possibility of sale of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) as bunker fuel for sea and river crafts at capacities of the multipurpose sea transshipment facility (MSTF) Bronka is planned.

Also, according to the signed memorandum, LLC Gazprom Gas Motor Fuel will work a possibility of providing with natural gas of motor transport working at the territory of MSTF "Bronka".

For system work on development of the market of gas motor fuel PJSC Gazprom in 2012 has created the specialized company — LLC Gazprom Gas Motor Fuel.

The fire which has taken place in March, 2018 after explosion in one of cargo holds on the vessel Maersk Honam which proceeded more than 5 days and was followed by long decay in the heated containers, ICG classified as "chemical fire". The question of admissibility of transportation of chemically dangerous goods in containers has been once again brought up. This fire was the cause for development of more severe conditions of loading and transportation of dangerous goods in containers in vessel holds. The rules developed by Maersk provide division of the deck of the container carrier into risk zones, dangerous goods must be placed in the zone with the minimum risk located in the center of the vessel.

According to world practice and the procedure in IMO establishing the international standards of sea safety including to transportation of dangerous goods (IMDG Code), it is possible that Maersk acts as an initiator of new proposals within IMO.

It should be noted that IMO – intergovernmental organization which works with addresses of member states.

Source: seafarers.com.ua

NP IDGCA continues active participation in development of the international standards within activity of Technical committee of the International Organization for Standardization of ISO/TC 220 - Cryogenic vessels (Cryogenic vessels).

On October 3 to the Secretariat of the Russian committee - the member of ISO (the Secretariat of ROSISO) experts of Association have sent a positive review concerning the DRAFT AMENDMENT ISO 21013-4:2012/DAM 1 project (The draft of amendments to ISO 21013-4:2012). International ISO 21013-4:2012 of Cryogenic vessels — Pilot operated pressure relief devices — Part 4: Pressure-relief accessories for cryogenic service concerns a design, approval and operation of devices for dumping of pressure of cryogenic vessels.

In the draft of amendments according to which vote is taken, in particular, restriction on the content of copper in constructional materials of the valves working in the environments containing acetylene up to 65% that is very important for ensuring explosion safety of the cryogenic equipment is specified. Remark of experts of NP IDGCA is placed in the electronic system of vote of ISO.

Cooperation of Association with Technical committee ISO/TC 220 - Cryogenic vessels is getting special relevance in connection with increasing of number and amount of the projects connected with transportation and processing of liquefied natural gas.

Road freight of dangerous goods across the territory of Ukraine will be made under the requirements of the A, B annexes to the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR).

In Ukraine new Rules of transportation of dangerous goods by the motor transport are approved by the Order of August 4, 2018 No. 656, the same order has approved the Order of delivery and execution of certificates on the admission of vehicles to transportation of certain dangerous goods.

The classification of certain potentially hazardous cargoes was on the agenda of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 5, 10-14 September). The Sub-Committee considered a newly identified phenomenon which affects some bauxite cargoes, known as dynamic separation, which can cause instability of the cargo and ship.

Also up for discussion is carriage of ammonium-nitrate based fertilizer. Potential problems have been identified following accidents involving the MV Purple Beach (2015) and MV Cheshire (2017). The recommendations arising from the investigation into the MV Cheshire have been presented to the Sub-Committee. Proposals to amend the relevant schedules have been considered, for future inclusion in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, which is the industry rulebook on how to deal with such cargoes.

Also under development was draft interim guidelines on the application of high manganese austenitic steel for use in cryogenic applications such as cargo tanks, fuel tanks and piping of LNG carriers and LNG-fuelled ships. One of documents which was considered at a session and have caused long discussions, there was a document CCC 5/6/11 of the Russian Federation Practical application of the provisions of section 7.9.2 of the IMDG Code in terms of the recognition of certificates and other relevant documents for the packaging of dangerous goods,". Most of participants of a session has rejected this proposal, having referred to the fact that the IMO tools used within the adopted Code are in many respects based on trust of the participants countries who have joined the Convention SOLAS and to the IMDG Code consequently. The opinion of subcommittee of IMO regarding to this proposal is stated in the Report of the 5th session of subcommittee of CCC 5/WP.1.

On September 14 the international body on certification DNV GL has booked audit of a quality management system of the International Center of Training of Personnel (ISTC). Audit has shown compliance of a quality management system of ISTC to requirements of the ISO 9001-2015 International standard and its positive influence on structure and contents of the developed and realized training programs of professional development.

We note that last time the number of enquires to ISTC from different organizations shows the increasing interest to professional development of own employees.

26 November – 4 December 2018) 54-th session ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods to be held at the Palais des Nations, Provisional agenda Geneva starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, 26 November 2018 according to the provisional agenda which is published on 27.07.18. on the website www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/dgsubc3/c3age.html

40 member states of Council of IMO, observers from among other states, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations have taken part in work of a session.

According to the press service of Rosmorrechflot, as a part of delegation of the Russian Federation the deputy head of Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport Yury Kostin, the permanent representative of the Russian Federation at IMO Yury Melenas, the head of Federal State Budgetary Organization Baltic Sea Administration Pyotr Parinov have taken part in work of a session.

The Council reform as one of the central questions had been on the agenda. Offers on change of structure of Council, the principles of formation, terms of office and others have been prepared

Russian Federation have submitted offers on decrease in administrative load on crews of vessel, shipping companies, operating administrations connected with the growing number of conventional certificates and documents which are required to be had onboard.

In this regard Council has urged all interested parties to direct to working bodies of IMO specific proposals of practical character in this regard.

The United Nations secretariat added the preliminary agenda of the 53rd session of Committee of Experts on the Transport of DangerousGoods which will take place in Geneva during the period from June 25 to July 04,2018,the working documents relating to each point (subparagraph) of the agenda. Other changes in the agenda didn't happen.

Within the first point "Adoption of the Agenda" reports on the previous sessions of Committee, including the report on the 52nd session where the subparagraph in the section VIII "Portable tanks" discussed offers from the Russian Federation about Fibre-reinforced plastics portable tanks (document ST/SG/AC.10/C.3/2017/40) will be heard.

All working documents of the 53rd session are available on www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/dgsubc3/c32018.html (only on English and French languages).

Railroad workers have two "shrines" which are strictly demanding to execute. They are safety and the schedule, all the rest, as they say, is secondary. It is not necessary to tell once again what unpleasant consequences can be caused by non-compliance with safety measures , especially if the transported freight belongs to the category of Dangerous Goods.

The General Director of the International association on dangerous goods and containers Mikhail Ognev, giving an interview to Rossiyskaya Gazeta 6/6/2018, had noted that the safety on transit of dangerous goods is provided first of all with sufficient level of personnel training , implementation of the internal and external technical regulations and procedures established on the concrete production area and with technical conditions of the equipment and vehicles.

The main document regulating transportation of dangerous goods is the Appendix 2 to the Agreement on the international railway freight traffic (SMGS) which is harmonized with the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. However, Mikhail Ognev has added, there is a problem in interpretation of certain provisions only from the point of view of the departmental interests, but not the interests of safety.

Russian newspaper - Special issue No. 7585 (122)

Forum venue: Hiltom Saint-Petersburg Expoforum (64, Peterburgskoye Highway)The Forum is hosted annually by GCE Group and aims at development of international cooperation and sharing experience on emergencies prevention.

The Forum is supported by the UN, government of the Russian Federation, CIS Executive Committee, the Russian Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, IAEA, the Russian Academy of Sciences and other institutions.For the past several years the Forum was attended by representatives from 37 countries.

The program focuses on:

On the way to the ideal industrial safety system. International experience. Best practices to ensure emergency-free production process. News of the industrial and occupational safety legislation. Trends and innovations in ecology. Presentation of modern mobile robotic devices and simulators. Main causes of man-made accidents and lessons learnt. Interactive team-building trainings.

The damaging build-up of plastic litter in the oceans is increasingly recognised as a major threat to the global environment. Harrowing images of marine wildlife being trapped by plastic litter, or even ingesting it, are becoming tragically familiar.

IMO's long track record of engagement in the fight against this insidious form of pollution was reinforced last year, when its governing Assembly of Member States placed the issue of marine plastic litter from shipping on the agenda of its leading environmental technical body, the Marine Environment Protection Committee. IMO Member Governments have been invited to submit concrete proposals about developing an action plan on the subject to the Committee's next meeting, in October.

On 29-31 May IMO had participated in the Ad Hoc Open Ended Expert Group on Marine Litter and Microplastics at the UN Environment headquarters in Nairobi. This group was established by the United Nations Environment Assembly to further examine the barriers to, and options for, combating marine plastic litter and microplastics from all sources, especially land-based sources.

Discharging plastics and other forms of litter into the sea from ships has actually been banned by an IMO regulation, legally binding on all ships, for some 30 years. The so-called MARPOL Annex V entered into force internationally in 1988 and, today, more than 150 countries have signed up to it.

In addition, countries party to another IMO instrument prohibiting dumping at sea (the London Convention/Protocol) earlier this year raised concerns regarding the disposal of fibreglass reinforced plastic vessels at sea.

• Approval of amendments adopted by the RID/ADR/ADN Joint Meeting (Berne, 12 – 16 March 2018) for a date of entry into force of 1 January 2019
• Proposals to amend RID
  • - Introduction of the requirement for tankwagon operators and entities in charge of maintenance (ECM) to appoint a dangerous goods safety adviser
  • - Continued use of tank-wagons for the carriage of gases of Class 2 in accordance with the transitional provisions in RID 1.6.3.3.2 to 1.6.3.3.5
  • - Maintenance of gas tank-wagons: continuation of the discussion following Austria’s presentation at the 8th session of the standing working group
  • - Informal working group on checklists for the filling and emptying of rail tank-wagons for liquids (The Hague, 28 February and 1 March 2018)
• New proposals
• - Specifications for the orange-coloured Plates
• - Adapting the provisions of RID 1.4.2.2.8 to the current version of ATMF
• - Carriage of UN 3507 Uranium hexafluoride as express parcels
• Report of the working group on tank and vehicle technology
• Final report of the 15th session of the RID Committee of Experts’ working group on tank and vehicle technology (Hamburg, 30 and 31 January 2018)
• Extra-large tank-containers – Discussions at the Joint Meeting’s working group on tanks

Evgeny Dietrich was born in 1973. In 1996 graduated the Moscow state engineering and physical institute (nowadays — MIFI), in 1999 — the Higher school of privatization and business in Moscow. From 1995 to 2004 worked in the State committee of the Russian Federation on property administration (in 1997 the committee is transformed to the Ministry of the property relations, nowadays — Rosimushchestvo). Held posts of the adviser, head of department, deputy head of department, the Head of Department in department. In 2004 was the deputy director of department of the property and land relations and economies of environmental management of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation. Since December 31 the 2004th till January of the 2012th of years — the deputy head of Federal Highway Agency (Oleg Belozerov and Anatoly Chabunin were heads of Rosavtodor during this period consistently). Further worked in the Russian Government Office, was the deputy director of government Department of the industry and infrastructure. It came to work to Ministry of Transport as the fall of 2015 already as a potential relief of the minister Maxim Sokolov.

As a Minister of Transport Evgeny Dietrich gives the first interview to the Transport Rossii newspaper on May 24, 2018

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25 June – 4 (am) July 2018) 53rd -session ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods to be held at the Palais des Nations, Provisional agenda Geneva starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, 25 June 2018 according to the provisional agenda:

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Orange Book Rev.20 (UN Model Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods) available online in Arabic, Chinese and Russian

10-14 September - 5th session The Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) deals with the carriage of packaged dangerous goods, solid bulk cargoes, bulk gas cargoes, and containers. The Sub-Committee keeps updated the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code) and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. It also keeps under review other Codes including the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) and the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code).

More detailed information on website www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/MeetingSummaries/

According to the Order of Federal agency of railway transport of April 19, 2018 No. 137 "About the temporary interruption of loading and transportation of goods in certain railway directions owing to developed at the Applicant or when using infrastructure of the circumstances interfering implementation of transportations" temporarily loading and transportation of goods and cargo baggage in certain railway directions stops.

So, from May 25, 2018 to July 25, 2018 in some regions at railway stations loading of freights in which sources of ionizing radiation, dangerous chemical and biological substances, radioactive, toxic, explosive and toxic agents are used is forbidden. It is about Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Rostov, Sverdlovsk regions, the Republics of Tatarstan and Mordovia, Krasnodar Krai. It is also forbidden to send such freights to consignees of the specified territorial subjects of the Russian Federation. It concerns including transportations according to the applications submitted before May 25, 2018 if the estimated delivery period of freight falls on the specified period.

The established bans don't extend to consignors and consignees who have permission of interdepartmental operational staff on safety during World Cup 2018.

The declaration of the transport of dangerous goods is an important element of improving the safety in the handling and transport of all types of transport.

As a rule, transport companies involve in the development of declarations organizations that have high competence and great practice in assessing the safety in the transport of dangerous goods.

Moreover, companies involved in the development and approval of declarations (DOG) are trusted by the port authorities, which ultimately contributes to the quality and timely dispatch of goods.

CJSC «Russian Register», as a subsidiary of NP «ASPAG», has been developing and approving declarations since 2004, after the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation.

Federation recognized it as competent, along with such companies as ÀÎ ÖÍÈÈÌÔ, ÀÎ ÄÍÈÈÌÔ, ÔÀÎ «ÐÌÐÑ».

CJSC «Russian Register» also provides a wide range of survey services in Russian and foreign ports.

The inspector's independent survey company "Russian Register" J.S.C. examined 20 tank containers intended for the carriage of methanol, and controlled the loading of product in the tanks. This practice of inviting independent surveyors before sending dangerous goods is used by carriers and shippers to improve the safety and quality of delivery of dangerous goods to the destination.

"Russian Register" J.S.C., being a 100% subsidiary of NP "IDCGA" has more than 15 years of experience in providing such services. Inspectors carrying out such work receive special training and certification.

International Staff Training Center (ISTC) has started training experts on pressure receptacles intended for the transport of dangerous goods, including experts in assessing the compliance of road tankers with ADR requirements. The training takes 80 hours. When passing training and attestation to the candidate for the title of expert, serious requirements are imposed on basic education, additional education and work experience. The first specialists trained in this course are employees of Independent Survey Company «Russian Register» J.S.C. and NBE Co. Ltd «National Bureau of Expertise».

Preparations are continuing for the XIV International Conference "Multimodal Transport of Dangerous Goods". As of February 1, 2018, the following companies plan to participate in the forum:

"Coordination and Information Center for Assistance to Enterprises on Chemicals Safety Issues" Non-Commercial Partnership" Association ("NC CAIC CIS" Association), "All-Russian Research Center for Transport Technologies" Ltd., "Gazprom Neft Shelf" Ltd., "Gazprom PHG" Ltd. (Kaliningrad GHPG), "Kaliningrad Commercial Sea Port" OJSC, "Containerships SPb" CJSC, "Modul" Ltd., "Sea Trade Port of Ust-Luga" JSC, "National Bureau of Expertise" Ltd., "NUTEP" Ltd., "Nizhnekamskneftekhim" PJSC, "Promperforator" Ltd., "Russian Register" JSC, "Saint Peter’s Terminal" Ltd. , "TIS" Ltd., "Neftekhimtrans" Transport company" Ltd., "FESCO Integrated Transport" Ltd., "Chempack" TC" CJSC, "Yamal Railway Company" JSC, "Kominsur Insurance Broker" Ltd. etc.

The forum is expected to discuss acute topics that affect the interests of the entire transport business.

The solemn awarding of the quality management certificate to the Director of the International Staff Training Center (ISTC) -Tsikhiseli Vladimir Gerontievich, took place on January 17, 2018 at the office of the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association.

The certificate was given by a representative of the well-known International Certification Body DNV GL - Igor Umansky. ISTC is the leading educational center in the field of training specialists involved in the transportation and handling of dangerous goods and the development of offshore oil and gas fields.

The introduction of a quality management system in the educational process and the availability of a quality management certificate issued by a well-known classification society will expand the range of educational services and provide them with a new quality.

The Customs Code, which was long awaited both by the participants in the foreign economic activity, and by the customs officials came into force since January 1, 2018. This is one of the few documents of the Eurasian Economic Union, in the development of which the business community actively participated. A lot of the constructive proposals of the business to improve certain norms that were regularly encountered in practice were taken into account. The document contains new approaches to informatization of customs operations, introduces a more convenient algorithm for business interaction with government agencies.

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Provisional agenda for the thirty-second session, to be held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, from Monday 22 January 2018, 10.00 a.m. to Friday 26 January 2018, 12.30 p.m.

Full list of documents by agenda item and annotations is provided in document ECE/TRANS/WP.15/AC.2/65/Add.1

• Adoption of the agenda.
• Elections of officers for 2018.
• Matters arising from the work of United Nations bodies or other organizations.
• Implementation of the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN):
  • a) Status of ADN;
  • b) Special authorizations, derogations and equivalents;
  • c) Interpretation of the Regulations annexed to ADN;
  • d) Training of experts;
  • e) Matters related to classification societies.
• Proposals for amendments to the Regulations annexed to ADN:
  • a) Work of the RID/ADR/ADN Joint Meeting;
  • b) Other proposals;
  • c) Checking of amendments adopted at previous sessions.
• Reports of informal working groups.
• Programme of work and calendar of meetings.
• Any other business.
• Adoption of the report.