2 “Cargo handling”
Lifting appliances and loose gear1 used for loading and unloading of ships
The character of such lifting appliances and loose gear is that they are designed/ intended/meant and actively and mainly used for loading and unloading on board ships.
In accordance with the relevant regulations of the Netherlands Working Conditions Decree (article 7.29) which are based on the ILO convention 152, the Recognized Organization (RO) is recognized by the Secretary of State for Social Affairs and Employment as certifying institution for lifting appliances and loose gear on board of seagoing ships.
The RO is authorized to:
- perform the initial examination, witness testing and perform certification of cargo handling lifting appliances and loose gear (article 7.29, paragraph 2 and 9);
- perform the examination, witness testing and perform certification of cargo handling lifting appliances and loose gear after any important alteration or repair which may affect the safety (article 7.29, paragraph 3 and 9);
- perform the 5-yearly examination, witness testing and perform certification of cargo handling lifting appliances and loose gear (article 7.29, paragraph 4 and 9);
- perform the periodical thorough examination and perform certification of cargo handling lifting appliances and loose gear. Such examinations shall take place at least once in every 12 months (article 7.29, paragraph 5, 6 and 8);
The Netherlands Shipping Inspectorate does not require this periodical thorough examination and certification to be carried out exclusively by the RO.
This periodical thorough examination also may be carried out by a third party such as a person from the ship's crew, shipyard or an independent contractor, possessing the knowledge and experience;
- issue the “Register of Lifting Appliances and Loose Gear” and enter the results of the examinations, testings and certifications (article 7.29, paragraph 10). When the 12 months periodical thorough examination and certification is carried out by a third party, this third party has to enter the results of the examination in the “Register of Lifting Appliances and Loose Gear”.
The Netherlands Shipping Inspectorate does not require any lifting appliance or loose gear to be "classed", but only that the relevant regulations2 of the Netherlands Working Conditions Decree which are based on the ILO convention 152, must be complied with.
It is up to the shipowner to employ any of the recognized RO's to carry out the above-mentioned examination, testing and certification services. Beside this it is up to the RO which method and standard of calculation, which examination or testing is carried out, because the RO is recognized as certifying institution.
Until the IMO finalizes3 its work to bring this particular ILO subject under SOLAS Chapter II, including the statutory certification of lifting appliances, winches and loose gear, the Netherlands Shipping Inspectorate accepts that the annual and/or 5-yearly examination of the lifting gear (as detailed in ILO C134 / ILO C32, article 9.2.(4) / ILO C152, article 25) can be carried out within the survey window as detailed in the IMO harmonized system of surveys and certification. This includes the provisions under SOLAS chapter I, regulation 14(e).
In case the 5-yearly survey needs to be extended, for reasons as detailed in SOLAS chapter I, regulation 14(e), the annual survey has to be carried out as a minimum. Based on this survey, the load test can be postponed accordingly. From the anniversary date of the 5-yearly load test until the next planned load test has been done, the Safe Working Load (SWL) shall be downgraded with 20 per cent, provided that the next load test is conducted not later than three months after the anniversary date of the 5-yearly load test. This shall be recorded in the cargo gear record book and indicated at the relevant operational locations on board the ship.
It is the responsibility of the ship owner to provide 3rd parties with evidence that these provisions have been met.
Furthermore the relevant parts of Instruction to RO no. 23 (Lay Up) shall be adhered to as well as the relevant procedure as stipulated in annex 1, 2.4.1 of the RO agreement:
With regards to the “restore date” of a certificate it is emphasized that in case a required survey has not been carried out or has been carried out outside the “window”, an additional survey is mandatory. The scope and the depth of the survey is to be decided by the Administration/RO.
After this survey has been carried out to the satisfaction of the Administration or RO, the certificate shall be provided with the following note:
“at the request of the Netherlands Administration a more thorough and stringent survey has been carried out, after which the validity of this certificate has been restored”.
The construction of the crane, the fixation of the crane on the ship and the stability of the ship during sailing with cranes in stowed position, is part of the certification path of the RO.
The stability of the ship during cargo handling operations is the responsibility of the shipowner.
The conditions and reporting procedures that are part of the recognition by the Secretary of State for Social Affairs and Employment remain unchanged.
As guidance the following items may be considered to be “cargo handling”:
(not limitative)
- cargo cranes on cargo ships;
- cargo cranes on offshore ships;
- cargo cranes on anchor handling ships;
(a heavy crane with enough reach placed on the aft deck can be used for cargo handling; the anchor handling itself is usually carried out by a deck winch and therefore not defined as cargo handling);
- deckcranes on dredgers (such as travelling gantry deckcranes);
- floating sheerlegs;
- cargo cranes on seagoing pontoons (without propulsion);
- spreader beams for cargo handling use (=loose gear);
- blocks, tackle, shackles and hooks for cargo handling use (=loose gear);
- chain slings and wire rope slings for cargo handling use (=loose gear).
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1 The term lifting appliances and loose gear is in line with ILO C152 and therefore used in this chapter
2 Netherlands Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7, Section 4, § 3, article 7.24 through article 7.30
3 Pending progress of the SSE (OLAW) working group this is foreseen in January 2024, although early implementation by flag States may bring this date forward.
3 “Non-cargo handling”
Other lifting and hoisting gear and tools4 on board of ships
The character of such lifting and hoisting gear and tools is that they are designed/ intended/meant for all kinds of lifting and hoisting activities on board of ships, but not for cargo handling.
"Non-cargo handling" lifting and hoisting gear and tools on board of ships shall be administered according to the relevant regulations5 of the Netherlands Working Conditions Decree (article 7.18, 7.18a and 7.20).
It is up to the shipowner or master how to comply with the requirements. Any involvement of the RO is not under the Agreement between the Administration and the RO.
As guidance the following items may be considered to be “non-cargo handling”:
(not limitative)
- gantry cranes for moving hatch covers;
- cranes for moving hatch covers and/or equipment on board;
- the system on board dredgers for hoisting and lowering the suction tube or similar gear and accompanying tools;
- provision cranes and davits;
- hose-handling cranes;
- I-beams above machinery and electric wire rope hoists;
- overhead cranes in engine rooms and pump rooms;
- hand and electric chain hoists (to be CE marked);
- spreader beams, lifting eyes or lugs for non-cargo handling use;
- blocks, tackle, shackles and hooks for non-cargo handling use;
- chain slings and wire rope slings for non-cargo handling use.
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4 The term "lifting and hoisting gear and tools" is in line with the Netherlands Working Conditions Decree and therefore used in this chapter
5 Netherlands Working Conditions Decree, chapter 7, section 4, § 2a, article 7.18, article 7.18a and article 7.20