The Cargo Integrity Group (CIG), an industry consortium focused on enhancing safety in global supply chains, has raised serious concerns about a significant gap in maritime safety practices. The CIG highlights that fewer than 5 % of 167 national administrations are consistently submitting container inspection results to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), despite a longstanding agreement to do so.
This reporting shortfall is hampering global efforts to improve maritime safety and sustainability. The CIG argues that the lack of comprehensive data prevents the IMO and the maritime industry from making well-informed assessments of safety standards. They emphasize that consistent and comprehensive reporting of inspection results is crucial for effective communication and training programs aimed at raising awareness of safe practices for containerized cargo.
Source: Indian Coast Guard
The urgency of the issue is underscored by recent incidents involving fires and explosions on container ships, which may be linked to improperly packed or misdeclared cargo. Compounding the problem, the CIG reports that the IMO is contemplating stopping the publication and collation of these inspection reports in an accessible format.
In response, the CIG is urging action on two main fronts:
- National administrations should fully comply with their commitment to submit container inspection findings to the IMO.
- The IMO should continue to make these reports available in a format that helps identify where improvements are needed to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
As the maritime industry faces these challenges, the CIG’s appeal highlights the critical importance of data in ensuring safety at sea. The upcoming weeks could be decisive as the IMO considers the future of this essential reporting function.
