The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is accountable for managing and upgrading the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code). The IMO regulates most shipments of dangerous materials by sea. The Code describes the guidelines for each substance, material, or article. It encompasses packaging, container handling, and stowage, focusing on segregating incompatible substances.

• Established in 1965
• Initiated to avoid all types of containerized marine pollution
• Guarantees for safe packaging and transport of hazardous goods overseas
• Concerning all types of cargo ships globally

What is IMDG code classification?

Class 1 – Explosives

Materials and substances that can produce sudden outbursts of energy, such as dynamite, ammunition, and fireworks.

Class 2 – Gases

Under dangerous goods rules, gases labeled as chemicals at 50°C, have a vapor pressure of 300 kPa or above or that, at 20°C, are entirely gaseous at standard air pressure. These rules also cover products that contain these substances.

Class 3 – Flammable liquids

Flammable liquids are dangerous goods, such as liquids, mixtures of liquids, or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension. It gives off a flammable vapor (has a flash point) at a maximum of 60-65°C. Liquids for transport at or above their flash point or objects transported at high temperatures in a liquid state that give off a flammable vapor at or below the maximum transport temperature are flammable liquids.

Class 4 – Flammable solids

Flammable solids are highly flammable substances under transport conditions or may cause or contribute to fire through friction. They include self-reactive chemicals responsible for conducting a significantly exothermic reaction and solid-insensitive explosives.

Class 5 – Oxidizing substances, organic peroxides

Dangerous product regulations define oxidizers as materials that can lead to or contribute to combustion, generally by producing oxygen through a redox chemical reaction.

Besides, organic peroxides are compounds that are derivatives of hydrogen peroxide, with one or both hydrogen atoms substituted with organic radicals.

Class 6 – Toxic substances and infectious substances

Containerized toxic substances can cause death or severe injury, as well as harm to human health. If consumed, inhaled, or come into contact with skin. Infectious substances are those that contain pathogens.

Class 7 – Radioactive materials

According to maritime dangerous goods regulations, radioactive material is any substance that contains radionuclides and has a total activity that goes beyond specific preset values.

Class 8 – Corrosives

Corrosives are chemical compounds that, when in contact with other substances, break down or dissolve them.

Class 9 – Miscellaneous hazardous materials

Miscellaneous dangerous goods are substances or objects that pose a danger or hazard during container transportation and are omitted by other classes. This class also mentions substances transported at high temperatures, miscellaneous substances or goods, magnetized materials, and microorganisms. 

How to use the IMDG Code?

Companies can use the IMDG Code and IMO advice on various aspects of the transportation process. This Code is mainly used to help team members recognize and categorize shipping names of risky freight containers. As a matter of fact, if team members correctly identify the IMDG Code, they can become more knowledgeable about wrapping products appropriately.

The IMDG Code can assist, supervise information, and inform team members about how to respond if hazardous substances cause a fire on the ship. The rules also permit crew members to plan safer stowing and loading procedures. Finally, crew members regularly use the IMDG Code to properly declare dangerous items to port authorities.

IMDG regulations

The amended International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS) addresses various marine security issues, including the necessary IMDG regulations governing the carriage of hazardous substances in packaged form. The cargo transportation of dangerous substances in packaged form must stick to the applicable guidelines of the IMDG Code, which is altogether an extension of the provisions of SOLAS Chapter VII.

The Code was first introduced in 1965 as a recommendatory instrument. The General Assembly accepted the IMDG Code at its seventeenth session in 2002, with resolution A.716 (17) deciding to make it essential under the SOLAS Convention beginning January 1, 2004. Also, several sections of the Code remain recommendatory.

Importance of IMDG code for seafarers

All team members on a ship closely linked with hazardous freight types transported on board must complete dangerous goods training based on STCW guidelines and be prepared by IMO recommendations. Several shore-based training centers provide hazardous goods training for handling IMDG cargo on ships. These details will provide seafarers with a container solution to manage and maintain the safety of dangerous materials and gradually reduce the risk of accidents unless they have to opt for containers and cargo insurance, which will add to the expenses. 

Procedures for handling IMDG cargo

• The crew member should understand how you should pack IMDG cargo.
• The crew member should understand the many forms of container safety markings, IMDG labels, or placards used to address harmful commodities.
• Above all, loading and unloading the cargo unit transporting the IMDG products requires knowledge of the dangers connected with these goods and safe techniques.
• The seafarer must also understand the transportation paperwork used for dangerous products.
• Lastly, dangerous commodities, such as container stacking and stowage plans, should be developed that consider ship stability, safety, and emergency readiness in the event of an unfortunate occurrence.

Compliance with the IMDG code 

The design of IMDG Code Compliance guarantees that there is no package harm. And any leaks will not cause chemicals to come into contact with one another. The sealed batteries and fuel cells in all automobiles are assigned as “dangerous goods” for exports. Therefore, the IMDG Code categorizes battery and fuel-powered cars as UN3481 and lithium battery-powered vehicles as UN3171. 

Penalties for non-compliance with the IMDG code

• Penalties of the PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) relate to such violation of SP v-962. They bring fines on any ‘person who knowingly violates any requirement of the federal hazardous material transportation law’ to $9624. Moreover, if the violation causes death or ‘severe’ physical injury or damage to property, it is described as ‘substantial’ to $ 224755.
• This means carriers must follow SP-962 to prevent ships from transporting any material that violates the IMDG Code. Therefore, most carriers require the shipper to provide a guarantee letter affirming that their vehicles conform to the SP-961 and SP-962 standards before transporting them. This is an important document, and failure to produce it leads to the complete denial of carriage.
• Many carriers’ contracts contain provisions whereby freighters are expected to be penalized for failure to observe the terms of SP-961 or SP-962. Freighters could also be charged for loss arising from a non-compliant shipment, especially where the carrier had no prior information about the shipment. This could be realized from the fact that the shipper had failed to declare the particulars of the shipment.

Compliance with the IMDG Code is crucial for safe sea transportation of dangerous substances. This regulatory system safeguards against ecological contamination and marine mishaps and requires secure handling and documentation of hazardous products. Adherence necessitates extensive training to manage hazards successfully. Failure to comply can result in severe penalties and cargo rejection, stressing the significance of strictly following international maritime standards for the safety of all parties.

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