Liberia's notice on reporting the loss or drifting of freight containers

Eda Zenic -

Liberia Maritime Authority issued Marine Notice SAF-015 establishing guidelines for the communication of incidents involving the loss of freight containers or the observation of drifting freight containers at sea. It applies to all Liberian-registered ships on international voyages, except for warships, naval auxiliaries, government vessels, and those operating solely on the Great Lakes of North America.

Purpose:

The purpose of this notice is to outline the necessary steps and requirements for shipowners, operators, and managers when a ship loses freight containers or observes containers drifting at sea. The document specifies that communication should be swift, detailed, and sent to the relevant parties, including nearby vessels, coastal States, and the Liberian Maritime Administration (LISCR).

Applicability:

This notice is relevant to all Liberian-flagged merchant vessels operating on international routes. It does not apply to:

  • Warships and naval auxiliaries operated by the Liberian government for non-commercial purposes.
  • Ships operating in the Great Lakes of North America (and certain connected waters up to Montreal), which are excluded from this regulation.

Key Requirements:

  • Reporting Loss of Freight Containers:
    • Immediate Reporting: The master of any ship involved in the loss of freight containers must report the incident without delay. The communication should include full details of the incident, such as the time, ship's identity (IMO number, name, MMSI), and the location of the loss (position coordinates, or as close to it as possible).
    • The report must be sent to the nearest coastal State and flag State, and it should also be directed to LISCR via designated emails (dutyofficer@liscr.com and investigations@liscr.com).
    • Incomplete or Abandoned Ship: If the ship is abandoned or if the master cannot provide a full report, the company (owner/operator) must take over the responsibility of reporting.
  • Reporting Drifting Containers:
    • Observation of Drifting Containers: The master of a ship that observes freight containers drifting at sea must immediately report the sighting with as much detail as possible, including the position and description of the containers. This ensures that nearby vessels and authorities are informed.
  • Reporting to IMO:
    • The Liberian Maritime Authority will report all received communications related to the loss of freight containers to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
  • Format for Reporting Loss of Freight Containers: The notice specifies the exact format that the communication should take, detailing the type of information required:
    • General Information: Include the type of report (e.g., loss of freight container(s)), time and date (in UTC), ship identity, and contact information for the reporting individual (either the master or the representative of the company).
    • Position Reporting: Include the exact location of the incident, ideally in latitude and longitude. If the exact position isn’t available, an estimated position should be provided. If the container loss was discovered later, the position of the ship at the time of discovery should be reported.
    • Container Details: Include the number or estimated number of containers lost, the type of cargo, and whether the cargo is hazardous (with a UN number if available). A description of the containers, such as size, type (e.g., refrigerated containers), and whether the containers were empty or loaded, should also be provided.
  • Verification of Container Loss:
    • Once the ship has the opportunity to conduct a thorough inspection, the final, verified number of containers lost should be reported. This report should be marked as "final" to indicate that no further updates are necessary unless new information arises.
  • Updates and Additional Information:
    • If not all the necessary information is available at the time of the initial report, the master or company is expected to provide any subsequent updates as soon as they are able. The first message should not be considered the final one if further details become available later.
  • Safety and Inspection:
    • After the initial report, it is critical that the ship performs a full inspection as soon as safely possible. The details about the number of containers lost should be verified, and a "final" communication should be sent once confirmed. This ensures that authorities and relevant organizations are fully informed about the incident's specifics.