Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. Further to its previous request concerning the practical application of the Convention, the Committee noted the Government's indication in its report that section 190(e), (f) and (h) of the Seamen's Service Rules make it a duty of the captain of a vessel to supervise loading operations and to see that the vessel is not loaded above its tonnage, and that he can do this only in knowledge of the exact weight of the packages shipped, which he must report. The Government further referred to section 203(e), (f), (g) and (i) of the same Rules, which require the first officer to observe the transport of the cargo and to control its weight and quantity as well as the work of those participating in loading, and to section 6.3.2.23 of the Annex to MAHART's Labour Safety Regulations which prohibits the loading of cargo of unknown weight. The Committee notes these indications with interest and would appreciate it if the Government would provide with its next report copies of the Rules and Regulations referred to, as well as extracts from any inspection reports indicating the degree of compliance with these requirements.

2. Referring to its general observation of 1987 on the manner in which effect is given to the Convention in respect of containers, the Committee noted from the information supplied in the Government's report that only few long-shoremen are in a position to weigh containers and that they frequently take into account estimated or fixed maximum weight, whereas Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention stipulates that the real gross weight of the package shall be marked upon it on the outside. The Committee would appreciate it if the Government would provide in its next report information on any measures taken or contemplated to ensure the application of the Convention to containers.