TOPTIER PROJECT ON SECURING CONTAINER SAFETY OFFICIALLY KICKED OFF
On May 18 the TopTier Joint Industry Project was kicked off with an online meeting attended by 70+ representatives. The objective of this three year project is to drastically reduce the number of containers lost overboard by large container vessels. For this purpose the project addresses the integrity of containers and gear, stowage, vessel motions, lashing loads, navigation support tools and regulatory frame work. Within the TopTier project leading shipping lines, insurance companies, terminals, branch organisations and relevant makers of hardware and software closely co-operate with the major class societies and various flag states. The work is conducted by MARIN, TUHH and Monokahobi Technology Institute in close co-operation with flag state authorities, class, lines and makers.
PROJECT SET-UP
In phase 1 of TopTier the current practice and recent large scale incidents will be reviewed after which the first recommendations for operational improvements will be reported in September. Based on the results of the gap-analysis, phase 2 will include investigations such as lab testing and measurements campaigns on board, covering each of the above aspects. In phase 3 new technologies, design rates, calculation models and best practice will be developed and verified.
Finally in phase 4 the findings will be implemented by the participating organisations and submitted to international regulatory bodies such as IMO.
TopTier is still open for new participants. Interested?
For more information see marin.nl/jips/toptier
or contact Jos Koning (j.koning@marin.nl).
