ON 22^nd May2014 The Maritime Safety Committee adopted the amendment to IMDG Code 37^th amendment in accordance with article VIII(b)(iv) of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended. When the clock strikes midnight on 31^st December 2015 officially IMDG Code 37^th amendment comes into force.

2015 witnessed fires on board container ships and the devastating Tianjin Explosions. When the investigations are over the results may fix the reasons or point to suspected smoking guns. Accidents do happen but on compliance to the regulations increases the possibility of accidents and swells the damaging effects of it many folds.

The only way to prevent or reduce the possibility of accidents out at sea while carrying packaged dangerous goods is by strict adherence to IMDG Code. This can only be achieved by properly planned and maintained initial and retraining programmes for all persons concerned with the transport of dangerous goods.

Another step is to correct the copies of IMDG Code with editorial corrections issued by International Maritime Organization. This is very important as certain typographical corrections directly relates to segregation, stowage and packaging.

The Errata and Corrigenda to IMDG Code 37^th amendment issued in December 2015 can be downloaded at http://tinyurl.com/pl4lac8 . After downloading user must correct each section with pen and where necessary cutting and pasting the hard copy.

I wish all the readers a Happy, Safe and Successful 2016!