The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine (CCNR) have released an updated version of the second edition of the International Safety Guide for Inland Navigation Tankers and Terminals (ISGINTT).
The guide provides recommendations for best practices for the safe handling and transportation of crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals, and liquefied gases, as well as guidance on operations between inland tankers, vessels, and terminals. It complements existing maritime guidance, including the International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT), without replacing legal requirements.
The updated version maintains the established structure of the guide while emphasizing the importance of risk awareness and the role of the human factor in maintaining safe operations.
By increasing risk awareness, ISGINTT aims to create an environment where uncertainties associated with certain vessel operations are reduced not only through prescriptions but also by encouraging barge and terminal crews, as well as their employers, to identify risks in their activities and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures.
This places emphasis on people and, therefore, fully aligns with the strategy related to the human element, which has received increased attention in recent years.
As stated in the guide, risk assessment is a crucial part of safe operations and maintenance. Risk assessments for vessels and terminals should consider the possibility that even competent and experienced individuals may make mistakes that can:
- Affect the safety of operations;
- Lead to non-compliance with procedures.
Vessel and terminal procedures are instructions that assist trained and competent personnel in performing tasks. To enhance the effectiveness of procedures, vessels and terminals should consider:
- Compliance or adherence issues with procedures;
- The need for process improvements.
This revision concerns ensuring that leading safety recommendations in the industry remain accessible, relevant, and practical for the people who rely on them. Maintaining the relevance and accessibility of recommendations is a fundamental element of our commitment to safer operations.
CCNR Secretary General Hester Dursema also reported that the updated edition represents more than a decade of collaboration between the industry and regulatory bodies to improve safety and environmental efficiency in inland navigation.
ISGINTT provides practical guidance to support safe and efficient operations in this sector, and we are pleased to make this updated edition available in multiple languages and encourage its widespread use.
