Review of grain auditing procedures

Introduction

Thompson Clarke Shipping (TCS) and Quay Maritime Consultancy (Quay’s) was engaged by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to review the operation of the revised grain survey arrangements implemented in October 2000 to determine whether the arrangements comply with the requirements of the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (IGC), MarineOrders Part 33 (MO33) and SOLAS 74.

The need for the review arose from difficulties that have arisen following the introduction of the new arrangements in Western Australia and in particular the Ports of Geraldton and Albany. The Port of Geraldton has expressed concerns that the new survey arrangements do not adequately address ship and port safety issues.

Agreement was subsequently reached between the Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Geraldton and AMSA that a review should be undertaken into the new arrangements in respect of Western Australian regional grain loading ports to determine the efficacy of the adopted system and whether there are specific factors present in Western Australian regional ports requiring special consideration in the application of the new arrangements.

The Review Team comprised:

Richard Clarke

Project Manager, Thompson Clarke Shipping Pty. Ltd.

Capt. Chris Keys

Marine Surveyor, Quay Maritime Consultancy.
Capt. Keys was nominated by the Port of Geraldton for the consultancy.