Transport and Management of Fireworks & Firecrackers
Ministry of Transport Mr. Chen Zhengcai
Main Contents
1. General situation of fireworks transport
2. Legislation of fireworks transport
3. Obstacles in fireworks transport and solutions
4. Management requirements of fireworks transport
A. overview
As a big producer and exporter of fireworks, China boasts a history of over 2000 years in this traditional industry. Liuyang and Liling in Hunan, Waizai, Shangli and Nanchuang in Jiangxi constitute major producing areas with more than 2 million people engaged in the industry. Currently, the amount of China¡¯s fireworks output account for about 90%of the world total and export volume about 70%. A rough estimation shows that in 2008 domestic gross sales and total export reached respectively 23 billion yuan and more than 500 million US dollars (164 million to America).
Fireworks are exported in containers. Major export ports currently include Shanghai, Beihai, Lianyungang and Nantong, among which Shanghai is the largest one in terms of traffic volume and route. According to rough estimate, Shanghai port completed 23,000 TEU and Beihai 8,000 TEU in 2008 while Lianyungang finished over 100 TEU as of mid-October in 2009 as a new port for transporting fireworks was set up there.
B. situation of ports
Fireworks exported via Shanghai port are transported from producing areas (Hunan and Jiangxi) by land to Changsha port of Hunan, Yangluo port of Hubei, Jiujiang or Nanchang port of Jiangxi to be shipped, then directly to Gaoqiao dock outside Shanghai port through the Yangtze River (or to Zhangjiagang through the Yangtze River to Daxiaoyangshan Harbor by barge) and finally to Europe and America through international liners. Now it mainly transports 1.3G and 1.4G fireworks.
Fireworks exported via Beihai port are transported from producing areas (Hunan and Jiangxi) to the port by land, and then to Hongkong port by ship and finally shipped in international liners, most of which head to America while a few to Europe. 1.3G fireworks are mainly transported here.
Fireworks exported via Lianyungang port are transported from producing areas (Hunan and Jiangxi) to the port by land (or by bus from the Yangtze River to Yangzhou), and finally shipped in international liners to America or Europe. 1.4G fireworks are mainly transported here.
C. measures and experience of Shanghai port
As China¡¯s most influential port in the internationally community, Shanghai port has always been attaching great importance to the operation of the fireworks industry with its business including transfer of 1.3G and 1.4G fireworks, transshipping and short-term storage at ports.
While transferring fireworks, administrative departments of Shanghai port collaborates closely with their enterprises regardless of small amount, low income, and high risk, taking this engagement as the due style and indispensable function. The port has formed mature management institutions and experience that are worth learning by stressing science, strict management, careful operation, and team construction.
To ensure fireworks export safety, Shanghai Port Authority has adopted a series of effective measures. For example, in order to promote headstream management, the Authority organized relevant units to conduct investigations and interviews in Liuyang in April, 2008 and August, 2009 respectively. In addition, it signed a memorandum of safety cooperation about putting in place such operation manners as ¡°inspection at production origin, concentrated package supervision, sealing containers on the spot, and Customs transferring transportation¡±.
1. General situation of fireworks transport
Relevant national and local departments should promote the inspection and supervision of fireworks to support their export and transportation.
According to the principle of combining inspection at origin places and at ports, the quality control department has established 3 state laboratories to test danger grades of fireworks transport in terms of the dosage, structure, effects and forms.
The department checks concomitant, display and safety test items and identification of package use. Regarding fireworks packaged in containers in producing areas, the department shall monitor and inspect the work of logistics enterprises and envelope the containers to be transported across provinces and issue Customs clearance bills. Furthermore, it shall examine the package, danger sign and entry-exit exchanging certificate.
Regarding fireworks packaged in containers in producing areas, the Customs shall monitor and inspect the work of logistics enterprises and envelope the containers to be transported across provinces and issue Customs clearance bills.
The marine safety administration shall examine shipped fireworks. And local port departments in charge shall issue concerned qualifications and conduct on-the-spot supervision to the enterprises and their staff.
International legislative institutions and rules related to fireworks transport:
1.1 the UN Panel of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: ¡°Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Model Regulations¡± and ¡°Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Manuel of Tests and Criteria¡±
1.2 the UN Panel of Experts on Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS): ¡°Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals¡±
1.3 International Maritime Organization (IMO): ¡°International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code¡± (IMDG CODE)
1.4 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air¡± (DOC9284-AN/905)
1.5 Intergovernmental Organization for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF): RID
1.6 ADR
1.7 AND
2. Legislation of fireworks transport
2.1 The 15th revised edition of ¡°Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Model Regulations¡± (Chinese edition) and the 4th edition of ¡°Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Manuel of Tests and Criteria¡± (English edition)
2.1.1 Classification of dangerous goods including fireworks (9 classifications):
No.1 explosives
substances and articles which have a mass explosive hazard
substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard
substances and articles which have a COMBUSTION hazard and a local explosion hazard or a projection hazard or both but not a mass explosion one
substances and articles displaying no grave hazard
very insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard
extremely insensitive substances without a mass explosion hazard
No. 2 gases
Inflammable gas
Non-combustible and non-poisonous gas
Toxic gas
No. 3 inflammable liquids
No. 4 inflammable solids; substances prone to spontaneous combustion; substances which give off combustible gases with water
inflammable solids; self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives
substances prone to spontaneous combustion
substances which give off combustible gases with water
No. 5 oxidizing substances and organic peroxide
oxidizing substances
organic peroxide
No. 6 toxic substances and infectious substances
toxic substances
infectious substances
No. 7 radioactive substances
No. 8 corrosive substances
No. 9 miscellaneous dangerous substances
2.1.2 compatibility group of explosives
Dangerous goods listed in No.1 shall be divided into one of the 6 items and of the 13 compatibility group. Mutually accommodating explosives and articles can be combined into one compatibility group.
In a compatibility group, explosive substances of first level and second level, fireworks or substances containing fireworks as well as those under the circumstance that their balses are damaged by fire are integrated, with limited explosion and projection effect so as not to impede or prevent rescue efforts. The 13 classifications of the explosives ranked in the order of danger grades are represented respectively by 13 letters including A, B, C, D, G and S and combined with 6 items then. For example, 1.1G, 1.2G, 1.3G, 1.4G, and 1.4S constitute the fireworks compatibility group.
2.1.3 Default category form of fireworks
Experts from the Netherlands suggested that the UN Panel of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods be responsible for revising provisions concerned. China¡¯s experts have taken part in the revision. The 14th revised edition of ¡°Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Model Regulations¡± in 2005 issued revised provisions including default category form of fireworks.
Fireworks are usually classified into danger grades such as 1.1G, 1,2G, 1.3G and 1.4G according to the results of test 6 of ¡°Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Manuel of Tests and Criteria¡±. However, due to more types of fireworks products but fewer experimental devices, danger grades can also be classified into the UN serial numbers 0333, 0334, 0334 or 0336 by means of analogy based on the default classification form, without test 6. But such a classification must be acknowledged by local authorities. Articles not listed in the form shall be classified on the basis of the test 6 results.
Default category form of fireworks:
|
type |
Including:/ analogues |
definition |
norm |
classification |
|
Display shells, pinballs or cylindrical shell (continued) |
Container bomb unit
(The percentage mentioned refers to that of the weight of fireworks.) |
Without propellant
With delay firing cable, bomb and inert materials inside
Used for projection from missile and gun |
More than 120mm |
1.1G |
|
Without propellant
With delay firing cable, explosives, bomb, the flashing component of which is no more than 25g, flashing component of no more than 33% and inert material of no less than 60%
Used for projection from missile and gun |
No less than 120mm |
1.3G |
|
Without propellant
With delay firing cable, explosives, painted shells and fireworks element
Used for projection from missile and gun |
More than 300mm |
1.1G |
2.2 Domestic legislation of fireworks transport
China¡¯s domestic legislations of the transport of dangerous goods are directly affected by the relevant international legislations.
Such domestic laws and regulations:
¡°Port Law of the People¡¯s Republic of China¡±
¡°Fireworks Management Rules¡±
¡°Management Rules for Dangerous Goods at Port¡± promulgated by the former Ministry of Transport
National standard ¡°Classifications and Numbers of Dangerous Goods¡± (GB6994)
¡°Namelist of Dangerous Goods¡± (GB12268)
¡°Signs of the Package of Dangerous Goods¡± (GB190-85)
Transport standard ¡°Safety Rules for Port Operation of Containers of Dangerous Goods¡± (JT397-2007)
2.2.1 ¡°Port Law of the People¡¯s Republic of China¡±
¡°Port Law¡± issued in October, 2003 prescribes the responsibilities and obligations of relevant administrative departments in port safety management. In particular, it stipulates that these departments be responsible for such management in port land areas.
Articles on transporting dangerous goods by water in ths law:
Confirm that ships loaded with dangerous goods go through port.
Confirm the expiration of inspection and permission for ships handling and lightering dangerous goods and trains or other motor vehicles carrying them.
Make emergency plans according to law to tackle accidents of dangerous goods likely to threaten social public interests.
Inspect and approve the stevedoring and lightering dangerous goods.
2.2.2 ¡°Management Rules for Fireworks Safety¡±
Promulgated by the State Council in January, 2006, the ¡°Management Rules for Fireworks Safety¡± represents an important legal foundation for maritime and port departments in charge to supervise water transport of fireworks. It defines that transporting fireworks by rail, water and air should observe the laws and regulations concerned.
To transport fireworks safely, maritime and port departments in charge should take lead in learning, publicizing, and implement relevant laws and regulations in careful, active and unremitting efforts.
2.2.3 ¡°Management Rules for Dangerous Goods at Port¡±
¡°Management Rules for Dangerous Goods at Port¡± (41 articles) was made and promulgated by the Ministry of Transport in August, 2003 as a corollary regulation of the ¡°Port Law¡±.
This regulation defines the management obligations and authorities of transport departments and port management sections in charge, the conditions and qualification-cognizing procedures of engaged enterprises as well as management requirements for the safety of stevedoring, lightering, storing and packaging dangerous goods and their containers at port.
It also standardizes the approval procedures and post-project inspection and acceptance requirements for newly-built, rebuilt, or extended port infrastructure such as operation docks, storage areas, reserve tanks and anchorage grounds.
2.2.4 ¡°Safety Rules for Port Operation of Containers of Dangerous Goods¡± (JT397-2007)
Yard operation:
Containers of dangerous goods should be placed in special areas. Containers with the explosives in 1.1 and 1.2 and ammonium nitrate substances shall be packaged and transported at once without being stored. Those with other explosives, gases in No.2 and radioactive substances can be stored within limits in time and amount after undergoing the safety evaluation of qualified intermediary agencies and getting the approval from administrative departments at port.
Containers of inflammable and explosive goods shall not be stacked for more than two tiers while other goods three tiers. And they shall be separated from each other effectively based on different natures. (see appendix A)
3. Obstacles in fireworks transport and solutions
3.1 the first outage of Sanshui port in Guangdong
In January, 2006, when a South Korean ship named ¡°modern fortune¡± were carrying 50 fireworks containers, 20-odd containers exploded because of dangerous goods that had not been declared and properly stored, triggering serious combustion.
On the 17th, May, 2006, another explosion occurred at Xianing dock of Changsha port (causes unidentified till now). So Changsha Maritime Safety Bureau called for an outage immediately. It was put into operation in May, 2008 after comprehensive reform and evaluation as well as the approval of relevant departments.
Due to those accidents, Sanshui district government issued an outage notice on Nov. 1st, 2006.
Governments and departments of transport in fireworks-producing areas began to conduct coordination among export ports and Sanshui port launched such operation again in March, 2007.
3.2 the complete embargo of Guangdong port
Two accidents related to fireworks explosions happened in sequence on Feb. 14th and Mar. 13th, 2008, causing property losses and casualties and thus drawing wide public attention. The local government closed down Sanshui port of Foshan and Nansha harbor of Guangzhou out of its own interests. As a result, the transport of fireworks transferred through these two ports to Hongkong for export are impeded with products piled up, not only affecting enterprise reproduction and China¡¯s reputation in foreign trade, but also posing a potential threat.
Located at Xijiang of Zhujiang River, Sanshui dock was launched in 2000. it completed 170,000 TEU in 2007. Since 2002, the dock started to transfer fireworks without substantial results, however. But when Huangpu dock in Guangzhou port ceased transferring fireworks, it has been making rapid progress, completing 10,400 containers in 2006 accounting for about 60% of the total amount exported to America.
4. Management requirements of fireworks transport
4.1 attitudes and measures of other ports
Well-known international ports such as Shenzhen and Ningbo have established first-class container docks, transferring various dangerous goods. Local government, nevertheless, disapprove of them exporting fireworks in case of explosions.
Before May, 2005, containers to Shanghai had been shipped at Zhuzhou port near major production areas of Liuyang, Liling, Shangli and Wanzai. But when a journalist wrote to demonstrate that potential hazards existed there, the local government officials called for an outage. Since then, 500 more km and over 5,000 more yuan had to be taken for those fireworks to be shipped in Yangluo port of Hubei.
4.2 Concerned ministries of the central government is striving for the support of the State Council
In July, 2008, the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Public security, General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine as well as State Administration of Work Safety, on the basis of plenty of investigation and research asked the State Council that export channels of Guangzhou, Sanshui, Shenzhen and Ningbo be opened.
In March, 2009, the five ministries and General Administration of Customs made a second instruction to the State Council that relevant policies be clarified and export channels of Guangzhou, Sanshui, Shenzhen and Ningbo be opened.
4.3 Relevant enterprises and local organizations are making great effort to conduct such business.
Zhangzhou port: In order to address necessities of fireworks-producing areas and enhance the business of ports, Merchants Steam Navigation Co. Ltd made positive efforts to study and develop the business. It has, through half year¡¯s effort, finished project safety appraisal and infrastructure in institutions, equipment and device. It has also trained its staff. However, the company has not acquired the qualification certificate of the administrative departments of Xiamen port since some local sections did not cooperate with it properly.
Wuzhou port: Sinotrans Group puts great emphasis on exporting fireworks. With the support of Wuzhou municipal government, it has finished site selection, appraisal, and software and hardware construction. But due to restrictions from local port departments, it has not obtained the qualification.
Zhangjiagang: With the support of local government, this port is the place where containers to Daxiaoyangshan dock are transshipped.
Lianyungang: With the support of local government, it has acquired the qualification of 1.4G operation. Currently, it is striving to create favorable conditions to enhance traffic volume and increase the export of 1.3G fireworks.
4.4 promoting the headstream management in fireworks-producing areas
The safety of fireworks is completely guaranteed because the material selection, processing, and examination of them are conducted in line with criteria and they are classified and packaged according to ¡°Transport Rules for Dangerous Goods¡±. Many procedures would become impossible once the containers are put into transportation and the repeated stevedoring and inspections during follow-up links would increase potential hazard. Therefore, unnecessary inspection procedures should be cut down, transport route shortened, and transferring links reduced.
4.5 shifting ¡°Customs¡± forward
Administrative department at ports and port enterprises should sign an agreement with sections in local governments, production or trade companies. And production and trading companies should make a pledge that products will be produced and examined and be classified, packaged and attached with labels in line with corresponding criteria. They shall be honest in declaration. After the procedures of exporting, including inspection, Customs clearance, package and enveloping, containers will be transported directly to warehouses at ports.
4.6 improving software and hardware construction
Intensify the management of shippers and declarants. Necessary monitoring and inspecting devices should be equipped by means of qualification authorization and institutions of punishment and training so as to fill in the loopholes of frauds and covering-up.
4.7 procedures of applying for operation authorization
Operation ports of fireworks containers shall apply for the authorization of the operation of dangerous goods at ports. Port administrations can entrust units concerned with the evaluation of the operation before issuing the authorization procedures. Note that the report of evaluation shall pass examination.
4.8 stressing the site selection and management of warehouses engaged in transferring
Warehouses engaged in transferring fireworks in the rear of ports are responsible for distributing goods, so their security directly affects the production at ports. Administrative departments and enterprises at ports ought to provide guidance and support to fireworks export enterprises and logistics companies in the site selection and management of the warehouses.
4.9 strengthening on-the-spot supervision over ports
Administrative departments at ports and maritime safety agencies should know more about the crucial procedures like package, Customs, transport and stock from fireworks-producing factories to docks, and moreover, prompt the enterprises to store, segregate, patrol and package containers in compliance with stipulated criteria and procedures.
4.10 requirements for stock
Containers shall, regardless of the number, be piled up according to their classifications. Safety ground should be opened and a safe distance be kept from buildings and the containers of other goods to ensure safety.
4.11 improving staff training
Training contents include relevant laws and regulations, port administration rules, basic knowledge of the operation of dangerous goods as well as necessary skills.
