1. Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Transport of Dangerous Goods along the Mekong River
21-22 October 2014
Bangkok, Thailand
Why do we need Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Transport of Dangerous Goods along the Mekong River?

2. Contents 1. Introduction 2. Mekong Agreement of 1995 3. Related issues
- River Tankers
- Ports
- Environment
- Waterway
4. Justification for Regional Action Plan
5. Conclusion on the Regional Action Plan

3. 1. Introduction
Mekong river presents great potential for Inland as well as maritime navigation and can be fully integrated into the logistic network of deep sea-port.
In particular, the river stretch between Phnom Penh of Cambodia down to the sea in Viet Nam, there have been observed growing waterway traffic by Mekong for cargoes, containers, passengers and Petroleum products.

4. In the upper part of the Mekong of Lao PDR and Thailand, there had been new port development, and we see the growing of navigation activities for tourist, passengers, ferry crossing, cargo and petroleum product as well.
In the last decade, there have development of a number of Ports, introduction of new vessels, such development shows that Mekong is very vital for the movement of trade which contributed to the economic growth.
It is of utmost important to ensure the sustainability balancing the grow in traffic while protecting the waterway environment.

5. 2. Mekong Agreement of 1995 Article 9: Freedom of navigation
……….The Mekong River shall be kept free from obstructions, measures, conduct and actions that might directly or indirectly impair navigability, interfere with this right or permanently make it more difficult. ………

6. Vessel and Tanker on the Mekong River
3. Related Issues
River Tankers
Vessel and Tanker on the Mekong River

7. Numerous tankers and vessels sailing on the Mekong River are in a very poor condition and could be have a risk of pollution.
Safety Management on board inland waterway tankers often consists of unclear, unstructured and poorly defined procedures.
While administration who suppose to ensure the enforcement are lacking capacity and capability to perform their jobs properly.

8. Related Issues Ports and terminals Petroleum Terminals along the River
Tanker on the Mekong River

9. Some petroleum terminals along the rivers found during the assessment that equipment and installation not be in good condition
Some even showed the lack of emergency respond plan, as well as equipment for combating
At the same time, the effective management which necessary to prevent and minimize the accident for some terminals is a concern matter.

10. No lights for dredging activities during the night
Related Issues
Waterway
No lights for dredging activities during the night

11. There is a lack of waterway classification system harmonized across the countries
Some country such classification not existed
There is lack of channel improvement or insufficient aids to navigation in some part of the waterway

12. 4. Justification - Projects:
VESSELS

13. Minimum Standards for Vessel Design, Construction and Equipment
Requirements are needed to develop and maintain minimum safety standards in order to prevent accidents due to technical and structural shortcomings of the vessels and their equipment.
An effective Minimum Standards for Vessel Design, Construction and Equipment is therefore necessary

14. The majority of accidents are the result of human error.
Safe Manning on Inland Waterway Vessels
The majority of accidents are the result of human error.
Accidents do not only impact to crew on board but also people close to the vessel, along the riverbanks, and in the ports.
Minimum Safe Manning Standards onboard inland vessels on the Mekong River do not exist yet.

15. Safe Manning on Inland Waterway Vessels (Cont.)
Legal requirement to have a minimum of qualified and experienced staff on board for the safety of the ship, crew, passengers, cargo and property, and for the protection of the environment.
Need education, training and certification system.
There is a need of mechanism for recognizing each other COC
An effective Safe Manning on Inland Waterway Vessels is therefore necessary.

16. Implementing of the IMDG Code and provision of the MSDS for inland waterway vessels
On the Mekong River, there are other classes of Dangerous Goods transported in bulk, packaged form and the quantity has been growing. Thus, there is a need of understanding and take action to ensure of complying to the provisions set out in IMDG (Classification, containment, consignment, handling, emergency responses (during handling, carriage and stowage on board the ships)

17. IMDG Code labels, marks and signs
Implementation of the IMDG Code (Cont.)
IMDG Code labels, marks and signs

18. Outcrop rocks at Thalaboriwatt ferry crossing
Tanker on fire
Outcrop rocks at Thalaboriwatt ferry crossing

19. Implementation of the IMDG Code and provision of the MSDS for inland waterway vessels (Cont.)
Safe transport and handling of packaged Dangerous Goods must comply with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code including specific packaging, labelling, marking, segregation and documentation requirements.
An effective Implementation of the IMDG Code and provision of the MSDS for inland waterway vessels is therefore necessary.

20. Emergency Response Onboard Vessels
Safety is poor on-board many vessels, particular concern on vessels/tankers that carry Dangerous Goods.
Insufficient or non-operational fire fighting and life- saving equipment
Missing cargo information and other documents related to the Dangerous Goods carried on-board
Lack of training and education, and
Inadequate procedures for emergency situations.

21. Emergency Response Onboard Vessels (Cont.)

22. Emergency Response On-board Vessels (Cont.)
Good advance planning will result in a quicker and more effective response to an emergency.
Emergency preparedness depends on available equipment, information, knowledge, education and training.
An effective Emergency Response Onboard Vessels is therefore necessary.

23. PORTS AND TERMINALS

24. Phnom Penh New Container Terminal
Tanker Terminal along the Mekong River

25. Minimum Standards for the Planning, Design and Construction of Ports and Terminals
Establish uniform and enforceable minimum Standards for all public and private Ports and Terminals to ensure that they are properly planned, designed and constructed.
An effective Standards for the Planning, Design and Construction of Ports and Terminals is therefore necessary.

26. Maintenance, Inspection and Testing of Critical Equipment
Lack of maintenance, Inspection and Testing Programme (MITP) for Critical Equipment at ports and terminals handling Dangerous Goods present risks
Administration, Owners and Operators of Ports and Terminals shall need proper work procedure, effective maintenance programme, check list, enforcing regulations, etc
An effective Maintenance, Inspection and Testing of Critical Equipment is therefore necessary.

27. Port Safety Health and Environmental Management System (PSHEMS)
The integrity of port facilities, the safety and health of port workers, the surrounding communities and the protection of the environment are interconnected elements in the management and operation of today’s ports.
Port Safety, Health and Environmental Management System (PSHEMS) is needed for ports and terminals in order to build a culture that promotes safety, health and environmental protection as well as reducing accidents .

28. Emergency and Oil Spill Response in Ports and Terminals
Ports and Terminals along the Mekong River should have in place an effective Emergency Response Plan (ERP) containing documented emergency procedures, organizational roles/responsibilities and facilities to ensure the port or terminal is capable of effectively managing an incident.

29. ENVIRONMENT

30. National Vessel and Port Waste Management
Waste on board
Waste at Port

31. National Vessel and Port Waste Management
Vessels in operation generate waste including solid and oily waste.
Ports and terminals also generate different kinds of waste depending on the type of port operation taking place.
Efficient waste management is an important requirement for ports and terminals, and authorities need to ensure that adequate waste handling facilities and systems are in place.
Ports and terminals shall prepare Port Waste Management Manuals describing all aspects of the waste handling system.

32. Regional corporation on Cross Border Vessel and Port Waste Management
The project will involve national authorities in all four countries: Cambodia- Viet Nam, and
Lao PDR – Thailand
Establish regional cooperation
Through establishment of a regional body within MRC who will discuss and provide recommendations on issues of regional interest for national, implementation.

33. Waterways

34. Introducing Geographical Zones into the Mekong River in Cambodia, and related Technical and Operational Requirements for Tankers.
Not all the stretches of the Mekong River and not all the canals linked to the system are easily navigated by commercial barges.
The appropriate rules and regulations to control the use of the selected waterways by vessels carrying of dangerous goods in the zones should be drafted,  

35. 5. Conclusion on Regional Action Plan
The above mentioned issues, need regional solution.
The following Regional Action Plan were proposed:
The 12 Project Documents are focusing on Vessels, Ports, Environment, and Waterways.
Type of Project:
National (6 projects)
National with cross border impact (5 projects)
Cross border (1 project)

36. Thank you for your kind attention
Tank Farm
Thank you for your kind attention