This article reported by Mr.  Chen Zhengcai from Water Carriage Department of Communication of China, during the Third Annual Conference of IFA on October 28, 2007  . No copy unless permission.

From June 9 to 21, 2007, a 10 people delegation from Chinese Ministry of Communications went to the United States and the Netherlands for a visit and communications on safe transportation of fireworks and firecrackers. Through the visiting, we have an initial comprehension of the safe transportation of fireworks and firecrackers in the two countries, which will play an active part in promoting the safe transportation of fireworks and firecrackers in our country.

1. Background Information

In March, 2006, a Korean cargo ship from Hyundai shipping company loaded with fireworks and firecrackers, and other dangerous goods caught fire and exploded in the Aden Gulf. Despite the fact that the accident was not directly caused by fireworks and firecrackers, many shipping companies refused to convey fireworks and firecrackers since then. Soon after, in May, 2006, the Changsha port Xianing container dock witnessed another accident of fireworks and firecrackers container explosion. The forceful shock wave caused great damage to the surrounding buildings, with a few people injured in different degree. The accident had caused fear among a few ports which then became unwilling to ship fireworks and firecrackers and even terminated their fireworks and firecrackers transfer or export business. Especially the Sanshui Port in Guangdong province, which occupied 60% of fireworks and firecrackers exported to the United States, began to stop shipping fireworks and fireworks from the early November, 2006. This event had caused great influence both at home and abroad.

Our country is the largest fireworks and firecrackers production country, with its export volume accounting for 70% of the total fireworks and firecrackers export volume in the world. The main production areas are located in Hunan province and Jiangxi province, with more than 2 million workers in the industry. Especially in Liuyang, Hunan province, the fireworks and firecrackers industry is considered as the traditional pillar industry. In 2006, the production and sales income had reached 6 billion RMB, with its products all over the world in more than 160 countries and regions. Fireworks and firecrackers have brought incomparable happiness to people all over the world. People have become used to enjoying happy times with the beautiful colors of fireworks on festivals. Especially in the various public activities, fireworks add much fun. In fact, playing fireworks has become one of the most favorite traditional activities in people's cultural life.

The United States and Europe are the largest fireworks and firecrackers consuming country and region in the world. The transportation difficulty of Chinese fireworks and firecrackers has caused negative influence on the American and European consuming market and aroused attention from the International Fireworks Association (IFA), the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) and the fireworks businessmen. As a matter of fact, they have written, telephoned or come to China because of related problems and asked our country to keep the smoothness of the export channel.

With the coordination of Communications Departments of Hunan province and Guangdong province, Sanshui Port in Guangdong province had resumed its fireworks transportation business in March, 2007. To eliminate the fear for fireworks and firecrackers transportation, use the advanced management experience abroad for reference, improve the management level of dangerous goods transportation, do well the safety measures, and ensure the smooth shipping of fireworks and firecrackers, with the invitation from Communications Department of the Netherlands government and the American Pyrotechnics Association, the Chinese Ministry of Communications has organized the shipping companies, the companies and administrative departments in fireworks export ports to form this fireworks and firecrackers safe transportation delegation to visit and learn in the United States and the Netherlands.

2. The Visiting Process and the Main Topic for Discussion

During the stay in the United States, the delegation visited the Port of Oakland and the Port of Los Angeles. They also carried out informal discussions on the staying time of different fireworks and firecrackers products in the port. The delegation visited the American Ministry of Commerce, and carried out discussion with the experts and representatives from the American Commerce Department, Department of Transportation, U.S. Costal Guard and the American Pyrotechnics Association on laws, regulations and management systems of safe fireworks and firecrackers transportation. The American Commerce Department had well prepared for the Sino-American communication on fireworks and firecrackers safe transportation. In the discussion, the Department of Transportation mentioned the preparatory work for China and the United States'previously signed Dangerous Goods Transportation Cooperation Memorandum a moment ago. The American experts introduced the management status of fireworks and firecrackers in the United States in a special dissertation, and pointed out and analyzed the long existent problems in shipping. Our delegation however, with the demand of the American party, also briefly introduced the management system of dangerous goods transportation in China.

During the stay in the Netherlands, the delegation visited the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, and the Port of Rotterdam. The Dutch party arranged related experts to discuss with the delegation.

In May, 2005, fireworks and firecrackers accident occurred at a small port in the Netherlands and caused great damage and bad influence. Through the accident, the Dutch government had realized that the safety problem of fireworks and firecrackers was not only a social problem but also a political problem. With thorough investigation, the Dutch experts had found out that the fundamental cause of the accident was the inappropriate classification of fireworks and firecrackers. According to their proposal, the UN Dangerous Goods Transportation Expert Committee had decided to reclassify fireworks and firecrackers and carry out an international research and cooperation participated by experts from China and many other countries. The newly developed "Fireworks and Firecrackers Default Classification" had been included in the "UN Model Regulations for Dangerous Goods Transportation"(14th Edition), which provided important guidance to the classification of fireworks and firecrackers and thus increased the safety of fireworks and firecrackers transportation.

During this visit to the United States and the Netherlands, experts and professionals from China, the United States and the Netherlands mainly carried out communications and discussions on the following 10 topics of safe transportation of fireworks and firecrackers:

 (1) About the American regulations on importing fireworks and firecrackers. As introduced by the American experts, the American regulations on importing fireworks and firecrackers are mainly focused on the classification of imported fireworks and firecrackers. The correct classification will play a decisive part in the management followed. To confirm the correct or incorrect classification of imported fireworks and firecrackers, analysis and tests must be made. This, however, will make the imported fireworks and firecrackers ship unable to put in the port.

 (2) About the staying of fireworks and firecrackers containers at the port dock. Both the American and Dutch experts believed that they should be allowed to put in the port. But they also believed that there must be conditions for the staying and stacking of fireworks and firecrackers. Certainly, the facilities and equipments at the stacking place must be safe and reliable. What is important is that respective requirements and measures must be taken according to the fireworks and firecrackers unloading dock, the stacking place, the storage time, the storage volume, the site management and the safety assessment, etc.

 (3) About assessment of the "Fireworks and Firecrackers Default Classification" in the UN Model Regulations for Dangerous Goods Transportation. The American and Dutch experts both agreed that it would play an active part in the classification of fireworks and firecrackers, and be convenient for the rapid classification of fireworks and firecrackers and save the cost. But further research is needed to testify its correctness and adaptability.

 (4) About the problems aroused in the transportation process. The Dutch expert introduced that, in the past 3 years, they carried out proper treatment on the leaking lighters exported to Europe (in which China took 90%; Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia took 10%), and the experience could be introduced into the tackling the problems of fireworks and firecrackers. They raised 3 solutions: First, strengthen the cooperation between the fireworks and firecrackers export and import parties; second, strengthen contact with the inspection department at the port of the import party; third, further improve and promote the products quality. They believed that good cooperation could solve the problem soon.

 (5) About the discrepancies between the American Standards for Dangerous Goods and the International Shipping Standards for Some Dangerous Products (such as the battery). The American expert held that most American dangerous goods were in accordance with that of the international shipping. But there were a few goods with special requirements. These goods would be handled in accordance with special requirements but internationally, people held different opinions.

 (6) About the measures taken by the United States in ensuring the safety of exporting dangerous products. The American expert said that they would make good preparations before the transportation according to national laws, regulations and related international treaties. They would also carry out training among related personnel and place complete trust on the staff and the quality of exported products must meet the American standards.

(7) About the main problems in the current dangerous products, especially fireworks and firecrackers transportation. The American expert believed that the concerned party was usually unwilling to declare in correspondence with their actual dangerous products. The United States had more than 200, 000 consignors, most of whom knew little about property of dangerous products. Frequently they would transport these products the same way as common products were transported and accidents were caused. Therefore, the United States has included this group of people in their training of transportation safety. The Dutch expert believed, however, the key task in safe transportation was to carry out appropriate classification towards fireworks and firecrackers. Fireworks and firecrackers are safe themselves, but incorrect classification could lead to danger. Different fireworks and firecrackers put forward different requirements for management as well and incorrect classification could lead to various accidents.

 (8) About the problem of safe transportation of China's dangerous goods. The Chinese expert introduced that the dangerous goods transportation safety management in China was carried out from the source. First, check or test the packing of dangerous products. Only those qualified packing that has been confirmed by the Inspection Department and has obtained the certificates could be used in packing and transportation of dangerous goods. Second, the department of transportation would carry out tests and inspections on the packing to check if they are qualified for packing and transporting dangerous goods. The main inspection items include that if the packing meets the regulations and if they are appropriately used. They could only be handled to the transportation after they are confirmed qualified. What is more, when the exported goods have arrived at the port, the concerning department will carry out inspections. If there were damages or leakage, the consignor or the agent company must handle them properly. It is only after the goods are qualified or meeting the regulations can it enter the port for shipping. When the dangerous goods have been loaded on a ship, the maritime department will carry out further inspections on the dangerous goods loaded to specify the loading position, the loading mode, and make sure that there is no leakage before the ship leaves the port.

 (9) About the function partition between the Water Transportation Department and the Maritime Administration of Ministry of Communications in China over the dangerous goods management. The representative from Chinese Ministry of Communications gave the introduction. The main difference between them is that the Water Transportation Department is mainly responsible for developing related transportation laws and regulations while the Maritime Safety Administration is mainly responsible for the implementation of safe supervision on the transportation of dangerous goods on the sea.

 (10) About the facilities and safety in Chinese ports. The American party argued that if an accident had happened, the safety level must be raised. But after the accident had been handled, who would resume the safety level in China? The Chinese expert answered that Ministry of Communications and local government were responsible to resume the safety level in the port.

Through communications with the American experts, the representatives from the U.S. Transportation Department said that the Sino-American cooperation in the transportation of dangerous goods had just begun and the American party was willing to provide related training materials without copyrights concerns. They said they could even provide the Chinese version of the materials. The Chinese party had expressed heartfelt thanks about this. At the same time, the Chinese party had pointed out that the safe transportation of dangerous goods was a problem that China had long been paying attention to. The visit was also an indicator that Chinese government wanted to strengthen cooperation in safe transportation of dangerous goods with the United States. The cooperation between China and the United States in this field would have a bright future.

3. Feelings and Suggestions

Despite the short time of the visit, much has been learned and a deep impression has been made. Through this visit and communication and with regard to the present status of transportation of dangerous goods including fireworks and firecrackers, the following works must be done well:

 (1) To use the advanced management experiences from abroad for reference and actively eliminate the fear towards fireworks and firecrackers transportation. Based on the analysis of accidents in the transportation of fireworks and firecrackers, it is clear that they are safe and accidents are usually caused by exterior factors or simply caused by ourselves (such as the incorrect classifications). As long as we learn the lessons from past experiences and carry out scientific and correct classifications on fireworks and firecrackers and strengthen control in the whole process of transportation, we can realize the safe transportation of fireworks and firecrackers and safeguard the smoothness of fireworks and firecrackers transportation channels.

 (2) Pay attention to the problem from the production source and do well the safety work of fireworks and firecrackers shipping export. The accidents in fireworks and firecrackers transportation have warned us that we must eliminate the potential insecurities from the source of fireworks and firecrackers transportation. We could eliminate these hidden troubles fundamentally by appointing the production company (companies that bear certificates) and the transportation agent (to put on records at the administrative department in the port), selecting the loading location, supervising the loading process (to cooperate with the inspection department) and training related personnel, etc.

 (3) Implement the "Fireworks and Firecrackers Default Classification" in the UN Model Regulations for Dangerous Goods Transportation and continue to research on the classification standard of fireworks and firecrackers. As for the classification standard of fireworks and firecrackers, each country has its own system, with the United States, Europe and China having their unique standards. The "Fireworks and Firecrackers Default Classification" in the United Nations Dangerous Goods Transportation Regulations (14th Edition) provides a world wide solution and an assessment standard for the classification of fireworks and firecrackers. We should implement it actively and combine it with the actual situation and management experience of fireworks and firecrackers production and transportation in our country. We must be active in participating in the promotion of the international standard for fireworks and firecrackers so as to improve the safe transportation of fireworks and firecrackers in our country.

 (4) Learn and refer to the management mode of American government departments and improve and strengthen the government department management of our country. In the United States, the Commerce Department is mainly responsible for import trade management of fireworks and crackers, variety certification, establishing unhindered international trade environment.  The Department of Transportation is mainly responsible for the cooperation with international organizations, studying and working out transportation regulations and standards. Coast Guard is mainly responsible for marine transportation supervision of fireworks and crackers and helping the Department of Transportation to study and work out relative standards. However, in our country, there are still such situations of unclear duties and unsoundness in management. These problems can only be solved through deepening reform, strengthening management and cooperation.

 (5) Establish and perfect related laws and regulations system of dangerous goods transport and perfect correlated standards and criterions. Attach importance to special research of rules and regulations revision; be active to get support from the department concerned and quicken the revision of dangerous goods transport rules and regulations. There are quite a few rules and regulations about dangerous goods transportation, but revision is often not handled in time and matching regulations are backward. For example, "Rules of Dangerous Goods Transportation by Waterway" issued by the Department of Transportation have been more than ten years and some contents has not adjusted to the present situation. Another example is that in "Fireworks Safety Regulations" issued by the Department of State in 2006, it is clearly regulated that waterway transportation of fireworks and crackers is managed by related regulations of transportation departments. However, actually there is still a lack of integrated regulations of waterway transportation of fireworks and commercial explosion products. At present, the Department of Transportation has set out strengthening the works of this aspect and is organizing people to revise the transport trade standard, "Safety Management Regulations of Harbor Dangerous Goods Cargo Containers" issued by the Department of Transportation in 1999. It is possible to issue within this year.

 (6) Attach importance to scientific research, make great efforts to develop multipartite international communication and cooperation and study actively and solve problems which arise in the process of safe transportation and management of dangerous goods (including fireworks). On the basis of developing correlated research at home and according to bilateral or multilateral cooperative memorandum on dangerous goods transportation, conditionally organize experts on dangerous goods transportation to go abroad for special investigation or developing special study; invite foreign experts to give lectures or develop cooperative research on a certain subject.

 (7) Strengthen the work of training. Make use of opportunities offered in the bilateral or multilateral cooperative memorandum and related materials in existence to train managerial staff of dangerous goods transportation in our country systematically. The training should give prominence to pertinence, specialty, timing, and efficiency and combine new management requirements of dangerous goods transportation in the international world to enrich training contents in time.   

 (8) "Cherish" the former cases of accidents, make a deep analysis of the reasons and put forward prevention measures. American experts have such a logion: It never matters to meet with an accident, but never make the same accident take place. Actually, accidents are not frightening and the most important is to learn something from the accidents; face up to the accident and make an analysis of the accident and find out the right prevention measure to make the accident become the teaching material of everyone and eliminate the hidden trouble of accidents.

 (9) Actively take part in related international communicative activities; make some research and master the international new technologies, new requirements and new tendencies of dangerous goods transportation to try to improve the management level of dangerous goods transportation in our country. The committee of experts of dangerous goods transportation in the United Nations is the authorized institution of the international dangerous goods transportation. The International Maritime Organization is the professional organization of the international marine dangerous goods transportation and holds professional activities each year to study and work out related international regulations. China, as a great power of marine transportation, should play a positive role in the international dangerous goods transportation management. Through taking part in the panel of experts, submit proposals, communicate with foreign experts and tell the situation and ideas of our country to others to safeguard the benefit of our country. At the same time, bring in the international or other countries' modus operandi and requirements, some new regulations in particular and feed back to related departments at home in time in order to join the international track and promote the development of dangerous goods transportation of our country.