These new Guidelines have been published, in co-operation with the World Shipping Council, with a view to minimising the dangers to containerships, their crews, and all personnel involved with containers throughout the transport chain. They have been developed by an expert international industry working group in response to recent incidents involving container ships. The Guidelines recognise the safety responsibilities of ship operators, but also discuss the responsibilities of those involved with the correct packing and stuffing of the cargo into containers, the accurate labelling and declaration of the goods by cargo interests, and the weighing of loaded containers. In addition, they address the safe handling and stowage of containers when they are received by a port facility and are loaded on board a ship, and also cover the maintenance and inspection of the containers themselves.
