Port Klang tightens cargo safety rules

Star Maritime 30 April 2007

Port Klang Authority (PKA) will enforce the use of a more comprehensive cargo safety data sheet (CSDS) for dangerous goods to ensure a safer working environment this year.
 
The Malaysian version of CSDS consists of 16 sections to be filled by shippers and prepared by certified laboratories such as Kualiti Alam and Tenaga Kimia.
 
Failure to do so, according to PKA assistant general manager (regulatory) Capt David Padman, would result in exporters re-doing the CSDS.
 
“We will have random checks from time to time to monitor the implementation as the CSDS provides guidelines on how to handle dangerous cargo in the case of any emergency.
 
“There were cases where obsolete CSDS did not provide enough information when mishaps such as leakages occurred.
 
“Although the percentage of accidents is small — less than 0.5% of the total 889, 907 TEUs of dangerous goods handled and transited at Port Klang last year — one minor mistake can lead to major disaster at the port,” he said.
 
There are more than 3,000 dangerous goods listed by the United Nations including chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, ethanol and sulphur.
 
“Generally, the latest CSDS will contain the trade name of the cargo, properties and ingredients, cargo hazards, temperature guideline and the necessary actions to be taken in case of any leakages or other emergencies.
 
”And we will ensure that it is updated every two years,” Capt David said.
 
He added that Port Klang was expected to handle more than one million TEUs of dangerous goods this year.
 
Capt David said that currently, a majority of exporters or shipping agents used general CSDS extracted from websites of other countries that were incomplete or outdated.
 
“Some CSDS prepared are also not in compliance with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994,” he said.
 
He said PKA had also taken the initiative to appoint and recognise surveyors for container packing certification.
 
“We are conducting in-house training today for shipping agents and employees of surveying companies, who will sit for a competency exam at the end of the day.
 
“Presently, 12 companies have sent their representatives for the course,” he said.
 
He explained that container-packing certificate (CPC) was a mandatory document, which was submitted to shipping agents, terminal operators and port authorities.
 
“Currently CPCs are prepared by freight forwarders, forwarding agents and parties that often take the importance of the document for granted.
 
“Or worse, they are not attached or provided as majority damage and leakage stemmed from incorrect packing and securing cargo into the containers,” he said.
 
He added that after the appointment of the recognised surveyors by PKA, shippers would be expected to appoint only these companies to issue their CPCs.
 
PKA, in efforts to create more awareness on the subject, is conducting a course on handling, storage and transportation of dangerous goods.
 
The course is conducted twice a year for shipping agents, terminal operators, forwarding agents, freight forwarders and warehouse operators.  

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