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Foreword (15 December 2017)

IMO has issued MSC/Circ.860 Guidelines for the approval of offshore containers handled in open seas. This circular is intended to assist the competent authorities in developing the requirements for approving the offshore containers. IMO requires that all intermodal containers conform to the requirements of the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC). The requirements of the CSC convention may not be applicable to offshore containers primarily due to non-standard designs, exposure to the marine environment for extended periods as well as the lifting of offshore containers by padeyes. EN 12079 has been published based on the MSC/Circ.860 and is currently used as an International industry standard to approve offshore containers.

Containers built to the ABS Guide for Certification of Offshore Containers will meet all the requirements of MSC/Circ.860 and EN 12079:2006. This Guide provides guidance for manufacturing facilities to build offshore containers. It also serves to assist the ABS Engineers and Surveyors in certifying offshore containers around the globe.

The December 2017 edition adds a new Appendix 5 detailing the certification of existing containers.

This Guide becomes effective on 15 December 2017.

Users are advised to check periodically on the ABS website www.eagle.org to verify that this version of this Guide is the most current.

We welcome your feedback. Comments or suggestions can be sent electronically by email to rsd@eagle.org.