ADN Experts

The European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN), approved in Geneva on May 26, 2000 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR), entered into force on February 28, 2008. The Regulations annexed to ADN contain provisions for hazardous substances and articles, provisions for their carriage in packages and in bulk on board inland waterway vessels of all types and purposes, and provisions for the construction and operation of such vessels. The regulations also establish requirements and procedures for inspection, issue of certificates of clearance, recognition of classification societies, supervision, training and certification of ADN experts.

In accordance with the requirements of Chapter 8.2 of the ADN Regulations, crew members trained and certified as ADN Experts shall work in all ships carrying dangerous goods on European inland waterways. Depending on the type and purpose of ships carrying packaged, liquid, bulk dangerous goods, at least one ADN Expert trained and certified should be appointed as a crew member on the ship, including gas tankers and chemical tankers.

The International Staff Training Centre (ISTC) offers the following expert training courses to the trainees as stipulated in the ADN regulations:

A. Basic course on transport by dry cargo vessels (32 ac. hours).Topics (issues) to be studied:

Objectives and structure of ADN;
Design and equipment of vessels subject to ADN;
Classification and dangerous properties of dangerous goods;
Cargo operations: loading and unloading. General operating and carriage regulations;
Methods of measurement;
Documents to be kept on board the ship during the carriage;
Handling of holds and adjacent spaces;
Stability of the vessel;
Basics of explosion protection;
Types of hazards and preventive measures;

B Basic course on transport by tank vessels (32 ac. hours). Studied topics (issues):

Objectives and structure of ADN;
Design and equipment of vessels subject to ADN;
Classification and dangerous properties of dangerous goods;
Cargo operations: loading and unloading. General operating and carriage regulations;
Methods of measurement and sampling;
Documents to be kept on board the ship during the carriage;
Handling of holds and adjacent spaces;
Stability of the vessel;
Basics of explosion protection;
Types of hazards and preventive measures;

C Basic course combined - transport by dry cargo and tank vessels (40 ac. hours). Studied topics (issues):

Objectives and structure of ADN;
Design and equipment of vessels subject to ADN;
Classification and dangerous properties of dangerous goods;
Cargo operations: loading and unloading. General operating and carriage regulations;
Methods of measurement and sampling;
Documents to be kept on board the ship during the carriage;
Handling of holds and adjacent spaces;
Stability of the vessel;
Basics of explosion protection;
Types of hazards and preventive measures;

Specialized course on gases (16 ac. hours).Studied topics (issues):

Introduction. ADN requirements for the transport of gases on gas tankers.
Nomenclature and main properties of gases transported on gas tankers: - Main physical and chemical properties of gases carried on gas tankers;
Cryogenic liquids. General characterization;
Operation of gas tankers and cargo equipment: - Carriage and cargo operations;
Auxiliary operations;
Ensuring safety of personnel during cargo and auxiliary operations.

E.Specialized course on chemicals (16 ac. hours).Studied topics (issues):

Introduction. ADN requirements to the carriage of chemicals on chemical tankers;
Operation of chemical tankers and cargo equipment: - Carriage and cargo operations;
Auxiliary operations;
Ensuring safety of personnel during cargo and auxiliary operations.

Training courses under Programs A, B and C do not require trainees to have prior training as part of the ADN requirements. Training under Programs D and E requires prior training under Programs B or C.

After the ISTC training and practical exercises, trainees are subject to knowledge testing and certification by the International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association in full compliance with ADN requirements and within the framework of the issues agreed by the ADN Administrative Committee. Persons who have successfully passed the knowledge test and certification are awarded the qualification "ADN Expert" in accordance with one of the specializations ("ADN Expert Basic course on transport by dry cargo vessels", "ADN Expert Basic course on transport by tank vessels", "ADN Expert Basic course on transport by dry cargo and tank vessels", "ADN Expert Specialization course on chemicals", "ADN Expert Specialization course on gases"). The validity of the expert certificate is 5 years.