Air Niugini’s training on International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) to external clients in the maritime industry is being continued.
A recent training was conducted on March 23rd to March 25th for 11 officers from the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) at Air Niugini’s Aviation Training Centre at 7 mile in Port Moresby.
The training was specifically for NMSA Captains and Chief Engineers.
Marine dangerous goods are hazardous materials/dangerous goods that endanger marine life. Some of which include, Ammonium Nitrate, Cyanide, Hydrochloric Acids, Paints, Explosives, Fuel such as (Petrol, Kerosene, Diesel, Jet A1), Aerosols and Gases such as (Compressed, Liquefied, Refrigerated, Dissolved, Absorbed).
The first IMDG Code training for 2021 was facilitated by Air Niugini Non-Technical Training Instructor, Martin Tugano with four more similar trainings planned to take place later this year.
ANG’s training on IMDG was initially offered to external clients one year ago and has since been conducted three times in 2020 for three shipping companies; Express Freight Management, Origin Energy and Hombinmbo Investment Ltd.
“NMSA is the regulator in regards to the shipping of dangerous by sea and therefore, need know the provisions of the IMDG Code to execute their duties when inspecting shipping companies in PNG. This training is vital for them.” Mr Tugano said,
The training covered general provision for Dangerous Goods transported by Sea, and the classifying, identifying, packing, marking, labeling/placarding and shipping documentation of Dangerous Goods.
The IMDG Code training is approved by NMSA as the national regulator, under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements.
“We had overwhelming response from the shipping companies on the training we provided for them last year. Some shipping companies have already engaged us in running the DG Awareness training for their shore-based staff. We are looking at providing further training for other shipping companies in PNG,” Tugano added.
There are also requests from countries in the region including Federated State of Micronesia to run the IMDG Code training, however, due to the Covid-19, the plan is being held back.
Tugano hopes to have more shipping companies throughout the country and the region send their staff for these trainings, so as to uphold and maintain the safety of passengers and shipping crew out at sea.
