IMO’s CCC 12: The Safety Gap Concerning SP188

The 12th session of IMO's Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 12) convened recently to address a variety of topics, including alternative fuels, onboard carbon capture, cargo safety, dangerous goods, and cargo securing. Amidst these discussions, the committee has brought attention to a significant safety gap surrounding SP188, a regulation that offers exemptions for certain small lithium and sodium batteries.

Tom Bebbington, Industry Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Lead at Tigris, commented on this issue: "We highlighted these issues in our report 'Before the Fire: Dangerous goods safety and the visibility gap'." Bebbington explained that the changing nature of goods being transported globally, particularly the surge in battery usage, has exposed the inadequate rigor within the global shipping process.

Specifically, Special Provision 188 (SP188) - a critical regulation under international transport codes governing the movement of lithium cells and batteries through the supply chain - has raised concerns.

However, Bebbington cautioned against relying solely on data as a solution, especially in the absence of incentives to rectify issues. He emphasized that technology must account for human error and self-interest. While data can be beneficial, it is only effective if individuals are motivated and ready to act in a timely manner. Even when risks are evident, addressing them may involve detouring vessels, restowing hundreds of containers, delaying schedules, and consuming additional fuel.

Bebbington concluded that while recognizing the problem is a crucial first step, the subsequent actions will be decisive in resolving the safety gap concerning SP188.