ISGINTT, the project for the development of safety guidelines for the loading and unloading of inland navigation tank-barges has made important progress: the chapters on gaseous products and safety checklists will be completed this year. The project’s Steering Committee, which met on 16 May 2008 in Duisburg, noted a growing interest in the project from regions including Asia and South America. The Steering Committee see this as further evidence of ISGINTT becoming an innovative and valuable tool for improving safety in inland navigation
The project was initiated in January 2006 by the CCNR and OCIMF and has involved all industry associations concerned with the transport of dangerous goods on European inland waterways. In 2007 SIGTTO joined the project. Experts of the participating associations have already drafted large parts of the safety guide. The final draft will be first reviewed by established working groups drawn from experts from participating associations.
The purpose of ISGINTT is to improve safe transport of dangerous goods at the interface of inland tank barges with other vessels or shore facilities (terminals). The safety guide will be compatible with international maritime guidance for sea going vessels (e.g. “International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT)”, “Liquefied Gas Handling Principles on Ships and in Terminals”). The intention is not to replace or to amend current legal requirements, but to provide additional recommendations. ISGINTT is the result of best practices as recommended by the participating industry associations.
The safety guide will be recommended for implementation by the participating industry organisations with the necessary political support by the CCNR. The English version of the ISGINTT will be published next year. In order to ensure wide-spread use it is envisaged that the guide will be published in the working languages of the CCNR, ie Dutch, French and German as well as English.