IMO reviews MSDS regs after IBIA intervention

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has presented a paper to IMO?s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) advising that current proposals relating to the mandatory supply and carriage of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in connection with MARPOL Annex 1 cargoes and marine fuel oils are severely flawed and unworkable. And the Maritime Safety Committee, at the MSC82 meeting in Istanbul in early December, has agreed to “take into account” IBIA?s comments when adopting a draft resolution, covering MSDS, to SOLAS regulation V1/5-1.

IBIA chairman Don Gregory says, “With regard to marine fuels, the proposals have sought to abuse the purpose of MSDS by turning it from a document designed to protect seafarers into some sort of quality assessment for the benefit of the shipowner.

“IBIA welcomes the mandatory provisions of MSDS at the point of marine fuel transfer and, today, most, if not all IBIA members already hand over MSDSs to the ship?s crew during bunkering operations.

“The additional testing requirements in the current proposals require each and very marine fuel to be tested and a customised MSDS to be issued prior to delivery of the fuel. Despite repeated enquiries as to the nature of MSDS information to be provided for specific sets of test results, there has been no response.

“Expert advice obtained by IBIA shows that, in all cases, MSDSs are written taking into account current and best available knowledge about the worst-case scenario with respect to hazards and safety precautions. IBIA believes that, without evidence to the contrary, such expert advice is likely to be the best available on the subject.”

IBIA did not object at MSC82 to the current proposal being sent to the eleventh meeting of the MSC?s Bulk Liquids & Gases (BLG) subcommittee for review and subsequent presentation to MSC83 for adoption. “This strategy was agreed,” says Gregory, “to ensure that the safety benefits of the proposals are realised as soon as possible, for the benefit of all seafarers.

“IBIA will prepare an appropriate wording for a workable proposal to the BLG working group in April 2007. In this way it is hoped to ensure the early adoption of a sensible and practical system of MSDS provision which benefits seafarers while retaining the processes and procedures recommended by experts in the field of MSDS.”