Article 12 — Obligations regarding the transport of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers

1. Shippers shall ensure that: (a) plastic pellets are packed in good-quality packaging that is strong enough to withstand the shocks and loadings normally encountered during transport and is constructed and closed so as to prevent any loss of contents which could be caused by vibration or acceleration forces under normal transport conditions; (b) transport information identifying the freight containers containing plastic pellets is delivered to the operator, agent and master of the seagoing vessel as an addition to the cargo information required by Regulation VI/2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), before plastic pellets are taken on board; and (c) cargo information referred to in point (b) of this paragraph is accompanied by a special stowage request requiring stowage of the freight containers containing plastic pellets in accordance with paragraph 3. 2. Operators and masters of seagoing vessels and, where relevant, agents shall ensure that they are in possession of the list or manifest or appropriate loading plan in accordance with the cargo information received from the shipper referred to in paragraph 1, point (b). 3. Operators and masters of seagoing vessels shall ensure that freight containers containing plastic pellets are stowed under deck, wherever reasonably practicable, or inboard in sheltered areas of exposed decks. In both cases, such containers shall be secured to minimise hazards to the marine environment without impairing the safety of the seagoing vessel and persons on board.