Safe Handling of Tank Containers - ITCO

ICHCA International Safety Panel Briefing Pamphlet No 30
Annex 1 Definitions
BIC means Bureau International des Containers et du Transport Intermodal
Cargo Transport Unit (CTU) means a road freight vehicle, a railway freight
wagon, a freight container, a road tank vehicle, a railway tank or a portable
tank. Used as an alternative to Intermodal Loading Unit (ILU)
Dangerous Goods mean the substances, materials and articles covered by
the IMDG Code. In some countries the term Hazardous Materials is in their
local regulations in place of Dangerous Goods. In many other countries the
term Dangerous Substances is used. Except in the United States
Dangerous Substances can be considered as having the same definition as
Dangerous Goods
Frangible disc is also known in the tank container industry as a bursting disc
or sometimes a rupture disc.
Gross Weight, more properly the gross mass, means the sum of the tare
weight plus the weigth of the cargo loaded. The weight of the fully laden
container must not exceed the maximum gross weight shown on the Safety
Approval Plate. See also Maximum Gross Weight.
IMDG Code means the current edition of the International Maritime
Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee
of International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Intermodal Loading Unit (ILU) means a container that can be interchanged
between all modes of surface transport using common handling equipment
and without intermediate reloading. See also Cargo Transport Unit (CTU).
Intermodal transport means a system of transport in which the cargo can be
interchanged between all modes of surface transport using common
handling equipment and without intermediate reloading.
Manway means a port, usually circular, cut into the top of the shell which
enables access to the tank’s interior. Each manway will be fitted with a
closing hatch or cover. Also known as a manhole or accessway.
Marine Pollutants means substances which are subject to the provisions of
Annex III of MARPOL 73/78, as amended.
Maximum Gross Weight the term used within the Convention for Safe
Containers, 1972 and this pamphlet means the total permitted weight of the
tank container and the payload. The value is shown on the Safety Approval
Plate and the identical number shall be shown on the rear end of the
container. Maximum Gross Weight is also be referred to as Max Gross,
MGW or Rating but more properly should be referred to as Maximum Gross
Mass
Maximum Holding Time means the maximum time from filling before heat
gain from ambient sources causes a pressure rise sufficient to open the
pressure relief valves. The holding time will vary for each tank design and
the existing ambient conditions. It should be made known to container
handlers and ship operators as exceeding the holding time may increase the
risk of cargo escaping.
Multimodal transport means a journey involving multiple means of transport,
originally used to describe road and rail transport. Multimodal is a term used
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