Shipping Australia has begun a nationwide industry-government project that will provide help and guidance to ship operators that are calling in Australia, especially those operators that are calling in Australia for the first time.
We had repeatedly heard from the shipping industry that ships were being delayed during loading and discharge because of a lack of clarity and / or confusion around Marine Order 32 (which relates to the safety of cargo handling equipment and safe loading / unloading) and the Model Stevedoring Code of Practice.
Shipping Australia has therefore set up one of its technical groups to investigate the issue, find out where / what the problems are, and to find ways to dispel confusion and to provide clarity. The focus of the project is not to change any existing rules or regulations, but, rather, to promote understanding so as to make compliance easier.
Any work that boosts clarity in this area can only boost safety.
Shipping Australia has been consulting on the basics of the problem with a range of participants and, earlier this week, we met online with representatives from national policy groups, shipping lines, stevedores, regulators and more.
During the meeting we received presentations from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority on Marine Order 32 and from Safe Work Australia on the Model Code for Stevedoring. We had a spirited and robust discussion on a range of safety related issues and the scope of the project.
We look forward to progressing the project at the next meeting of the group, which has been scheduled for May.
