Chandigarh-based senior officers of Merchant Navy and members of a 60-year old shipping association, ‘The Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI)’, have prepared a detailed report for Ministry of Shipping, Government of India on ensuring safety of cargo, seafarers and cargo ships sailing across the globe.
This report is expected to guide Ministry of Shipping to implement the proposed amendments to SOlAS – The international Convention for the Safety of life at Seas. Starting July 1, 2016, The International Maritime Organisation has approved amendments to SOlAS. In India, every shipper (consigner, exporter or seller) of the cargo will have to verify gross weight of each cargo-container before loading it onto the ship.
Capt Philip Mathews, Chairman, CMMI, said, “It is estimated that about one third of over 130 million cargo containers shipped everyday across the globe have inaccurately declared weights. It’s a grave safety concern for the ship, and also a huge environmental concern. Casualties may occur and ships could cap-size or sink due to excess, mis-declared or miscalculated weights of the loaded cargo-containers.”
Chandigarh based members of CMMI are senior officers who serve Merchant Navy as Captains of cargo ships.