News

UNCTAD Transport and Trade Facilitation Newsletter N°106

The UNCTAD Transport and Trade Facilitation Newsletter is a quarterly bulletin on current topics and projects in trade facilitation and international transport. We provide a copy to members for their convenience. Click here for the newsletter: UNCTAD Transport and Trade Facilitation Newsletter N°106 After nearly 30 years and 105 editions of the UNCTAD Transport and Trade Facilitation Newsletter is moving to a new format single newsletter covering all areas of their work. UNCTAD Insights This will be a fresh, unified newsletter “delivering expert analysis, timely data, publications, and event updates across a broad spectrum of UNCTAD’s work on trade, development, and the global economy.” This is where they will continue to provide relevant transport and trade facilitation insights and much more. If you wish to register for your own copy, you can find the link at: https://unctad.org/topic/transport-and-trade-logistics/transport-newsletter

Member Benefit: Complimentary Delegate Places at Intermodal Africa 22 – 24 July 2025, Beira, Mozambique

We are delighted to announce the latest member benefit in partnership with Transport Events: Intermodal Africa 2025. We have secured an exclusive opportunity for five complimentary ICHCA Member delegate places, each valued at €1,995, for this prestigious event. If you would like to attend, please email secretariat@ichca.com to secure your spot. We need your confirmation as soon as possible, subject to availability, so don’t miss out! The 33rd edition of Intermodal Africa 2025, recognised as the largest annual Ports and Logistics Exhibition and Conference in Africa. This event is proudly hosted by Cornelder de Moçambique (CdM) in collaboration with our Strategic Partner Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA) taking place from Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 July 2025 at the Lunamar Hotel Beira, Mozambique. On Tuesday 22 July, there will be a comprehensive tour to the port for all registered delegates to visit every aspect of [...]

Member Invitation: Custodial Responsibility Briefing – 14 July 2025 – 15:30 to 16:30 (UK time)

We are writing to invite you to join a Teams call for a Custodial Responsibility Briefingfrom Global Shippers’ Forum and World Shipping Council. Members will recall that theCustodial Responsibility model was developed by industry to address the risk of transfer of invasive species by sea container. The model requires each part of the cargo supply chain from the container depot to the packer to the transporter and carrier to take action to identify if invasive pests are present on the container when they receive it and to hand it over to the next part of the supply chain free from visible pests.In the model, ports and terminals will also have these obligations. The briefing will describe the proposed responsibilities of ports and terminals in the process. We also envisage an opportunity at the meeting to discuss and contribute to the refining of port and terminal responsibilities. This is an [...]

Current Awareness Bulletin – for IMO themes and news – May 2025

The latest edition of the Current Awareness Bulletin is attached. The Bulletin provides a monthly digest of news and publications focusing on subjects and themes related to the work of IMO with each edition presenting headlines from the previous month. Links to complete articles or abstracts on publishers' sites are included, although access may require payment or subscription. The Bulletin itself is free to download and to redistribute. CLICK HERE FOR THE CURRENT AWARENESS BULLETIN - May 2025 This edition along with the back catalogue is available at:https://www.imo.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Pages/CurrentAwarenessBulletin-Default.aspx The Current Awareness Bulletin is compiled by the IMO Maritime Knowledge Centre but is not an official IMO publication. Inclusion does not imply any endorsement by IMO.

ICHCA Member G2 Ocean, latest Safety Bulletin – The heavy lifting (also available in Portuguese)

The latest edition is about an incident which highlights why lifting awareness and never working under a suspended load remain essential in all cargo operations ashore and afloat. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SAFETY BULLETIN IN ENGLISH CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SAFETY BULLETIN IN PORTUGESE Message from G2 Ocean: "We in G2 Ocean work with stevedores all over the world. By sharing lessons learned on safety between companies and ports, we believe we can reduce the number of incidents and personal injuries in our industry. It is part of G2 Ocean’s desired safety culture to always seek and share insights on safety. We thank all stevedore companies who have signed up for our monthly Safety Bulletin! All our vessels receive a copy. The crew work closely together with the stevedores in port, and the topics are relevant also for them. The bulletin is also sent to the G2 [...]

Introduction to how the IMO works – Seminar 22/23 September 2025

The IMO is hosting a seminar for people who are new or would like to refresh themselves on how the IMO works, its committees, structure, processes etc. This Orientation Seminar is designed for member states, international governmental organisations and non-governmental organisations like ICHCA. The provisional syllabus is attached. If you would like to know more, places are available in-person and virtually. Please contact Amanda secretariat@ichca.com to register. For further details click HERE

Latest “TT Talk” Articles Available – June 2025

The TT Club regularly provides informative, timely material on critical health, safety, security and environmental matters designed to help industry continually improve its performance. We are delighted to share the latest from TT Club in the TT Talk series. New TT Talk articles available below: TT Talk - Benefits of smart mooring systems Traditional mooring lines and bollards have been used to secure ships in ports for thousands of years. But when they fail, the consequences can be catastrophic. In the five policy years leading up to 2021, the International Group of P&l Clubs members were notified of 858 injuries and 31 fatalities that occurred during mooring operations. TT - Project cargo risks for ports Project cargoes, particularly offshore wind components, are a growing business opportunity for ports around the world. But the typically large size and weight of these unusual loads also expose port operators to [...]

ICHCA Severe Risks Dashboard – June 2025

ICHCA has updated its uniquely wide-ranging research on historic worldwide cargo related workplace fatalities covering the period 2000 to the present day. We aim to learn from what has happened in the past to better understand the most severe outcome risks in our industry; helping leaders at all levels to continuously improve how they do safety. By demonstrating the severity potential of these hazards we believe that organisations can: re-test existing management controls for focus, completeness and robustness re-affirm that work as imagined in procedures designed to address these essential risks actually translates into work as done on the ground engage with workforces and other stakeholders to seek well-managed, cooperative change and innovation The dataset covers over 500 fatalities involving port workers, contractors, visitors and other third parties from 2000 to June 2025. What the dashboard is telling us Crush by cargo is the leading historic cause of [...]

Hidden Dangers of Fire Initiating Cargoes Explained

The industry bodies of the Cargo Integrity Group expand on their concerns relating to cargoes that can catch fire and cause significant damage and casualties under certain conditions. Circumstances created by an alignment of mistakes, oversights, or failed controls can turn a minor incident into a major event. Following its identification of ‘cargoes of concern’*, the Cargo Integrity Group (the Group) now focuses on the issues that may commonly compromise safety by initiating or proliferating fire under certain conditions. It is recognized that many of the cargoes in this category, labelled ‘reactive hazards’ already fall within the scope of Dangerous Goods regulations. These regulations start from the premise that the transport of Dangerous Goods is prohibited – except in accordance with the details of the regulations. However, incidents still occur too frequently; as the judge in one casualty litigation explained, disasters are only infrequent due to a “lack of [...]

ICHCA Insights – June 2025

Latest edition of "ICHCA Insights" available For the latest edition of our monthly newsletter “ICHCA Insights” please Click here For previous newsletters click here: https://ichca.com/newsletters

ICHCA May 2025 Press Clippings

We are delighted to share with you the press clippings for May 2025. By working with the media we can be the voice of our sector, raising awareness and sharing learning with industry and other stakeholders. The press clippings have been collated by Portcare International. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PRESS CLIPPINGS

ICHCA Supports Global Lifting Awareness Day 2025 – Lifting Safety Into Focus

ICHCA International is proud to support Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD) 2025, led by the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) on Thursday 12 June. GLAD 2025 Insights Webinar: "Turning Industry Voices into Action" 12 June 2025 Register Now ICHCA is once again proud to support Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD) alongside our partners at the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA). As a global campaign, GLAD aims to promote safe lifting practices, awareness, and leadership throughout the industry. As part of our contribution to this international effort, ICHCA is pleased to spotlight essential guidance, tools, and training materials to help advance lifting safety in ports and cargo operations worldwide.  We encourage you to explore ICHCA’s resources on lifting safety such as: Safe Lifting of ISO Containers and Tanks Using Hooks and Wires and Members’ Area content developed jointly with LEEA such as: Organisation of Gear Stores and Guidance on the [...]

Member Benefit: Complimentary Delegate Places at Asean Ports & Logistics 2025 – Jakarta, Indonesia

We would like to announce the latest member benefit in partnership with Transport Events: Asean Ports & Logistics 2025. We have secured an exclusive opportunity forfive complimentary ICHCA Member delegate places, each valued at €1,995, for this prestigious event. If you would like to attend, please email secretariat@ichca.com to secure your spot. We need your confirmation by 19 June 2025, subject to availability, so don’t miss out! Transport Events are delighted to announce that ASEAN Ports and Logistics 2025Exhibition and Conference hosted by PELINDO and supported by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Indonesia (CILT-ID) will take place from Tuesday 1 July to Thursday 3 July 2025 at the luxurious 5 star JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta, Indonesia. Jakarta is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage and dynamic economic landscape as the largest annual Ports and Logistics trade event for the ASEAN region, this presents an unmissable [...]

ICHCA Technical Panel Barcelona – Meeting Report Now Available

The report of the 88th ICHCA Technical Panel meeting, held in Barcelona on 19 May 2025 is now available to members. The session brought together a strong community of technical, safety, and operational leaders for a day of open dialogue, practical workshops, and strategic collaboration. The report summarises key discussions and presentations, including developments in dangerous goods handling, international accident data sharing, lashing safety, e-learning, and innovations in mooring and decarbonisation.  Members can find the presentation slides in the members’ area. We would like to thank all speakers, participants, and contributors for their valuable input and engagement. Your support continues to shape ICHCA’s work in improving safety and operational excellence across the cargo handling sector. Should you have any questions or wish to follow up on specific items in the report, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Click here to see the report, presentations, programme and photos on [...]

ICHCA Member G2 Ocean, latest Safety Bulletin – Failed barriers cause fatality (also available in Portuguese)

The latest edition of G2 Ocean's Safety Bulletin is about a fatality. One of their customers has informed them about this tragic incident. It did not happen on a G2 Ocean vessel, but G2 Ocean operate vessels with this type of hatch covers and want the lessons learned to reach as many stevedores and seafarers as possible. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SAFETY BULLETIN IN ENGLISH CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SAFETY BULLETIN IN PORTUGESE Message from G2 Ocean: "We in G2 Ocean work with stevedores all over the world. By sharing lessons learned on safety between companies and ports, we believe we can reduce the number of incidents and personal injuries in our industry. It is part of G2 Ocean’s desired safety culture to always seek and share insights on safety. We thank all stevedore companies who have signed up for our monthly Safety Bulletin! All [...]

Japan’s Carbon Neutral Ports (CNP) Initiative Presented at ICHCA AGM

Yusuke Suemune of Japan’s Ports and Harbours Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) today outlined in detail his Government’s plans to achieve carbon net zero by 2050 at all Japanese ports via its Carbon Neutral Ports (CNP) initiative backed by a CNP certification process. The presentation given today in Barcelona as part of the ICHCA AGM contained the announcement of MLIT’s launch in June of its Carbon Neutral Ports (CNP) Certification for container terminals. The Certification process will evaluate each terminal’s decarbonization efforts. Critically this assessment will be on a ‘per-terminal’ rather than a ‘per-port’ basis. The Certification will be multi-faceted. Each element geared toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. As Suemune outlined, the process of decarbonization will involve evaluation of a wide variety of stratagems including low-emission handling equipment and LED lighting on the terminal operation side and efforts concerning carriers, such as zero emission [...]

Latest “TT Talk” Articles Available – May 2025

The TT Club regularly provides informative, timely material on critical health, safety, security and environmental matters designed to help industry continually improve its performance. We are delighted to share the latest from TT Club in the TT Talk series. New TT Talk articles available below: TT Talk - Storm Warning: another active Atlantic hurricane season predicted Another above-average season for Atlantic hurricanes is expected in 2025, reflecting the increasing volatility of global weather systems due to climate change. The forecast serves as reminder to ports, terminals and warehouses to check the robustness of their storm- preparedness procedures as well as their insurance cover for extreme weather events and other weather- related natural disasters. TT - Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum publishes guidance on fire response The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum (VCSF) publishes its second industry good practice guidelines entitled 'Fire Response — High Level Guidelines', designed to reduce [...]

Current Awareness Bulletin – for IMO themes and news – April 2025

The latest edition of the Current Awareness Bulletin is attached. The Bulletin provides a monthly digest of news and publications focusing on subjects and themes related to the work of IMO with each edition presenting headlines from the previous month. Links to complete articles or abstracts on publishers' sites are included, although access may require payment or subscription. The Bulletin itself is free to download and to redistribute. CLICK HERE FOR THE CURRENT AWARENESS BULLETIN - April 2025 This edition along with the back catalogue is available at:https://www.imo.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Pages/CurrentAwarenessBulletin-Default.aspx The Current Awareness Bulletin is compiled by the IMO Maritime Knowledge Centre but is not an official IMO publication. Inclusion does not imply any endorsement by IMO.

ICHCA Insights – May 2025

Latest edition of "ICHCA Insights" available For the latest edition of our monthly newsletter “ICHCA Insights” please Click here For previous newsletters click here: https://ichca.com/newsletters

Crucial amendment to IMDG Code on Ammonium Nitrate sanctioned by the IMO

The global cargo handling association ICHCA International (ICHCA) welcomes the recent IMO decision to amend a key aspect of the IMDG Code governing ammonium nitrate shipments to significantly improve their safe transportation by sea and highlights its importance as part of the association’s Dangerous Goods Awareness campaign. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved changes to its maritime safety regulations in the form of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code to improve the safety of ammonium nitrate transport by sea. ICHCA is drawing attention to the move, as well as other changes to the IMDG Code designed to improve safety when shipping handling and carrying dangerous goods via its awareness campaign throughout 2025. This particular change affects Clause 7.6.2.8.4 and reinforces that carriage of UN 1942 Ammonium Nitrate and UN 2067 Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer under deck is only permitted if hatches including tween deck hatches are capable [...]

Current Awareness Bulletin – for IMO themes and news – March 2025

The latest edition of the Current Awareness Bulletin is attached. The Bulletin provides a monthly digest of news and publications focusing on subjects and themes related to the work of IMO with each edition presenting headlines from the previous month. Links to complete articles or abstracts on publishers' sites are included, although access may require payment or subscription. The Bulletin itself is free to download and to redistribute. CLICK HERE FOR THE CURRENT AWARENESS BULLETIN - March 2025 This edition along with the back catalogue is available at:https://www.imo.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Pages/CurrentAwarenessBulletin-Default.aspx The Current Awareness Bulletin is compiled by the IMO Maritime Knowledge Centre but is not an official IMO publication. Inclusion does not imply any endorsement by IMO.

Shipping charcoal in containers new rules begin from 2025

Today we spotlight the changes to the IMDG Code relating to Charcoal. Thanks to CINS, International Group of P&I Clubs, TT Club and World Shipping Council for sharing much of today’s content and leading by example. “… at least 68 fire incidents on board ships during the period between January 2015 and December 2022… exclusively involved consignments of Charcoal that were produced to be a used as a fuel intended for burning. Most of these incidents also arose from consignments that had been misdeclared and therefore the carrier was not aware of the hazards presented.” ‘Guidelines for the Safe Carriage of Charcoal in Containers’ CINS in conjunction with the International Group of P& I Clubs and the TT Club Sept 2024 From the start of 2025 with IMDG Code Amendment 42-24 becoming available for use, tighter rules for charcoal shipments are transitioning into place to improve the safety of [...]