ACD Press Release

Arlington, VA – Today, National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Jennifer Gibson submitted comments to the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) raising concerns with proposed revisions to World Shipping Council (WSC) Agreement No. 201349-003, particularly its changes to the classification of dangerous goods.

In the comments, Gibson highlighted the negative impacts on NACD members and underscored the potential unintended consequences of increased screenings and inspection procedures on an already strained supply chain. She also raised concerns with granting additional collaboration authority to competing ocean carriers.

“We are concerned that, while the World Shipping Council’s (WSC) intention to improve oversight of dangerous goods shipments in these proposed revisions may be legitimate, it would create additional opportunity for discrimination against hazardous materials without making significant progress in improving ocean shipping safety,” wrote Gibson.

Gibson continued, “While NACD agrees with the WSC that it is necessary for continued efforts to be taken to ensure dangerous goods are shipped safely and in accordance with U.S. and international regulations, these efforts must be done with precision to avoid creating any unintentional consequences that would allow disruption for the shipment of these necessary goods. The current International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code is developed and updated in a way that meets these criteria. There is no reason to depart from using the IMDG as the primary method for ensuring proper packaging, marking, notification, and safe transport of dangerous goods. This is especially true considering the number of negative consequences NACD members and the wider shipping industry have already experienced due to the current level of collusion between ocean carriers.”

“NACD respectfully urges the FMC to deny the amendment to Agreement 201349-003 as written and require the WSC to demonstrate the need for coordinated screening and inspection processes, and a shipper database,” Gibson concluded. “And, assuming such need is clearly established, any joint ocean carrier activity involving screening and inspection of hazardous materials must protect the efficient and fluid shipment of such materials.”

To read NACD’s full comments submitted to the FMC, click here.

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NACD and its over 400 member and Affiliate companies are vital to the chemical supply chain providing products to over 750,000 end users. NACD members are leaders in health, safety, security, and environmental performance through implementation of Responsible Distribution, established in 1991 as a condition of membership and a third party-verified management practice. For more information on NACD, visit www.nacd.com.