Protos online

Be safe and save time! These are the fundamental goals of the PROTOS database by Germanischer Lloyd. Now online, PROTOS (“Provisions for Transportation of Solid Bulk Cargoes”) allows shipping companies, chartering companies and marine terminals quick access to all safety regulations for dry freighters – be it regulatory, structural or equipment-related requirements.

The database contains a list of over 60 solid bulk cargoes matched up with ship data. The required equipment list for a particular type of cargo can simply be printed out at www.gl-group.com => Client Support =>GL PROTOS.

Dry freighters certified with PROTOS are provided with a Document of Compliance for the Carriage of Solid Bulk Cargoes (bulk certificate). It certifies that they meet the requirements for transporting these bulk goods. For a bulk certificate, an inspection of the ship and a review of the ship’s documents are required. If the ship meets all technical and constructional requirements, it bears the additional class code DBC.

The bulk certificate by Germanischer Lloyd contains a detailed list of the cargoes which the ship is allowed to transport, a list of notes specific to the cargoes, as well as a list of technical requirements for equipment. Bulk certificates are valid for five years and are timed to coincide with the certificate of inspection for that ship’s class.

Germanischer Lloyd has been authorised by all well-known flag states for this process of certification.

Bulk certificates provide ship owners and shipping companies with a comprehensive certification which is transparent, coherent and thus easy to understand for the approving authorities when dangerous goods are being transported. This allows operators of bulk carriers to avoid the legally required inspections which can lead to delays in loading and unloading.

With the “Document of Compliance for the Carriage of Solid Bulk Cargoes”, compliance with the BC code is assured. The BC code (Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will, as it stands today, become effective in 2011. Certain port states in Europe and North America already require compliance with the regulations for the safe transport of solid bulk cargoes.