Dangerous goods

• Pages: 389-407

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8. Dangerous goods

Dangerous goods

8.1. Packaged dangerous goods

8.1.1. General requirements

Many cargoes transported in packages have hazardous

properties that could cause fire and explosion, injuries or

environmental damage. Emergencies could occur anywhere

in the transportation chain. However, as a result of inter-

nationally recognized rules for carriage by sea, which have

applied since 1965, millions of tonnes of dangerous goods

are safely handled at ports every year.

8.1.2. International arrangements

The transport by sea of dangerous goods in packaged

form is required to be carried out in accordance with the

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG

Code). The Code became mandatory from 1 January 2004

under the provisions of Chapter VII of the IMO’s SOLAS

Convention. Produced by the IMO, it is based upon recom-

mendations published by the United Nations Committee of

Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. The IMDG

Code is revised and republished every two years.

8.1.3. United Nations classification

1. The United Nations (UN) system of classification of

packaged dangerous goods is an integral part of the inter-

national provisions. Goods to be transported are classified

according to their primary hazard by the shipper or con-

signor. The nine UN classes are:

— class 1 – explosives;

• subdivided into six divisions 1.1-1.6;

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— class 2 – gases;

• subdivided into flammable, non-flammable and toxic

gases;

— class 3 – flammable liquids;

— class 4 – solids;

• subdivided into flammable, spontaneously combust-

ible and dangerous when wet;

— class 5 – substances containing oxygen;

• subdivided into oxidizing agents and organic

peroxides;

— class 6 – toxic substances;

• subdivided into toxic and infectious substances;

— class 7 – radioactive substances;

• subdivided into three separate levels of radioactiv-

ity plus fissile material;

— class 8 – corrosives;

— class 9 – miscellaneous dangerous goods not covered by

the other classes.

2. The IMDG Code also recognizes that many sub-

stances, as well as being potentially dangerous to humans,

can be environmentally hazardous to the marine environ-

ment. Accordingly, for the marine mode only, it uses the

term “marine pollutants” for those dangerous goods to

which this applies. There are also two UN Numbers in class

9 for solid and liquid substances that are not hazardous to

humans but are hazardous in the marine environment, e.g.

creosote.