Portable tanks, Carrying dangerous goods

Dangerous goods in liquid, gas or solid form are often carried as cargo in portable tanks on different ship types. Whilst the IMDG code and IMO regulate their construction and safe transport, it is, nevertheless, the responsibility of the ship’s officers to ensure these are in a fit condition for carrying hazardous and non-hazardous cargo. Leakage of hazardous cargo from portable tanks has resulted in serious incidents, such as injury to the crew, marine pollution and even damage to the ship’s structure. Deck officers dealing with this type of cargo must have the knowledge of the arrangements of different types of portable tanks as well as knowing how to effectively deal with emergencies associated with them.

Learning objectives:

• Recognize the important structural and safety elements of the main portable tanks carried on vessels
• Identify whether a portable tank is fit for carriage
• Identify the information needed to deal with an emergency involving hazardous goods in a portable tank