Maritime Transport of Dangerous Goods & Hazardous Materials Explained

In commercial terms, Dangerous goods [DG] and Hazardous Materials [HAZMAT] pose considerable risks to the safety, health, and lives of human beings. Such materials, if not handled safely may cause damage to property or environment during transportation, storage, and handling. They may be flammable, corrosive, toxic or poisonous, radioactive, cause violent allergies, etc. Containers they are packed in, even when empty, can pose a danger.

Though the two terms – Dangerous goods and Hazardous materials are used interchangeably by most shippers, experts view them differently; dangerous goods carry the risk of fire and explosion, corrosion, or poisoning while hazardous materials may cause potential health problems that could linger for a short while, or stay on longer. Generally, risk in the case of the former may be through physical or chemical effects while the latter is through contact.

Another definition from experts is that goods that pose a risk during transport are classified as Dangerous Goods while those that pose a danger even during storage or usage are termed Hazardous Materials.

It is however crystal-clear that both, if not handled properly, can be dangerous and potentially fatal.

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code [IMDG Code]

Dangerous goods or hazardous materials must carry labels that show the proper method of storage, transportation, usage, and disposal of the product. These labels must be displayed prominently and follow certain regulations.

In maritime transportation, dangerous goods are classified and transported under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code or IMDG code. This code is regulated by the International Maritime Organization [IMO].

The main aim of the IMDG code is to facilitate the transport of dangerous goods safely by sea and prevent risk to human lives, contamination, and pollution to the sea or other water bodies, and the marine environment. This universal code applies to all cargo and cargo ships and is accepted as an international guideline.

The IMDG code draws its features mainly from the SOLAS convention [Safety of Life at Seas] and MARPOL convention [International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships].

Safe Handling of Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Materials

Maritime workers or anyone handling such goods must be well-trained in the formalities involved during its storage, transport, and usage. They must ensure that the appropriate safety clothing and gear such as masks, gloves, eyewear, etc. are used for this purpose.

Such staff should be able to meet emergencies such as fire breakouts or spillage.

Maritime workers should be able to identify the hazards correctly, be familiar with first-aid and fire-fighting measures to deal with the specific situation, limit exposure to break-out or spillage, and communicate with the concerned stakeholders and regulatory authorities effectively.

Dangerous Goods Declaration [DGD]

This is where the importance of correct Dangerous Goods Declaration for port authorities and inland transit modes plays a role. While preparing dangerous and hazardous goods for sailing, based on the declaration, those handling the goods should be able to effectively segregate, load, and stow these safely in their allotted places, on board the ship.

The consignor has the responsibility of displaying the correct dangerous goods labels on the cargo as well as providing accurate details on the Dangerous Goods Declaration for the cargo. The cargo carrier should also exercise due diligence in this matter.

Instructions and Signage – Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals [GHS]

Instructions for transport, storage, and handling of such goods must be very clear, avoiding any confusion. It should be shown on the transport documents as well as on the packages.

Besides instructions, the dangerous goods signage must also be shown. These are usually diamond-shaped signs of different colours depending on the hazard. The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals [GHS] is a safety standard that is managed by the United Nations.

The GHS unifies the various dangerous and hazardous goods classifications and labelling systems of the world. It is in charge of universal hazard testing criteria, the creation of hazard pictograms, and safety data. GHS hazard pictograms, words, and hazard statements are usually located together on the label.

Safety Data Sheets [SDS] have a fixed layout and section format. Staff handling dangerous or hazardous goods must be aware of the GHS signage as well as the appropriate safety equipment to be used.

Dangerous Goods Classifications

Dangerous goods, as specified by the IMDG code, are generally divided into nine main classifications. They are as follows:

Explosives – Classification 1

• Explosives come under this classification. It has a further six sub-categories. This subdivision is according to materials that have a high risk of explosion on top, followed by those with lesser risks.

Gases – Classification 2

• Classification 2 has three sub-categories; from highly flammable gases to those that are neither flammable nor toxic.
• Ammonia, hydrogen, propane, etc. are flammable gases while nitrogen and carbon dioxide are examples of the latter.

Flammable Liquids – Classification 3

• The list of flammable liquids is quite long. Some examples are petrol, diesel, acetone, benzene, etc.

Volatile Solids – Classification 4

• This classification has three sub-categories. They are those that are highly combustible, self-reactive solids, and solids that emit toxic gases when it comes in contact with water.

Oxidizing Materials – Classification 5

• Classification 5 has two sub-categories. One for those materials that contain peroxides and the second for those that react when there is an impact or collision.
• Peroxides can cause fires or explosions when it is subject to heat, sudden shock, or friction.

Toxic and Infectious Materials – Classification 6

• This also has two sub-categories. Toxic materials can cause death or serious medical conditions to human beings while infectious materials contain disease-causing pathogens.

Radioactive Materials – Classification 7

• Uranium, thorium, plutonium, radium, radon, etc. are some examples of radioactive products.
• Exposure to radioactive materials can result in serious immunity-related health problems. It can lead to dangerous infections, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, haemorrhage, decreased bone marrow count, and other life-threatening situations.

Materials that Cause Corrosion – Classification 8

• The process of corrosion sometimes generates heat and emits gases. This may lead to a violent reaction setting off a fire or explosion.

Miscellaneous Dangerous Materials – Classification 9

• Items that do not fall under any of the above classifications are placed under Classification 9.
• Some examples are strong magnets, dry ice, asbestos, etc.

As we know, not all dangerous and hazardous goods are handled in the same manner. Specific goods have specific handling methods. Maritime staff should be aware of this and should know how each of these goods is to be handled.

Those employed in maritime operations both onshore and offshore, must be trained to handle dangerous goods and hazardous materials as per IMO guidelines. They should understand the importance of the IMDG code.

Safety of Equipment and Vessels Transporting Dangerous or Hazardous Cargo

Shipping containers are generally resistant to fire to a large extent. Their corten steel body acts as an effective barrier to fire.

Almost all modern oil tankers have fixed foam fire-fighting systems on board to contain fire hazards. In this, a fire-smothering foam from a central tank inside the ship is directed onto the area that is affected by the fire, using fixed pumps. The pumps are stationed to cover most of the ship’s deck, the engine room, etc.

As per IMO mandate, single-hulled cargo vessels above 5,000 DWT are getting phased out, to be replaced with double-hulled vessels. Double-hulled vessels prevent flooding and sinking in the event of minor collisions or in the case of a ship running aground.

You might also like to read-

• A Comprehensive Overview of IMDG Code for Shipping Dangerous Goods
• What Is Dangerous Goods Declaration in Shipping?
• A Classification of Dangerous Goods
• Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) – The Ultimate Guide
• A Guide To HAZMAT Cargo Loading On Ships

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About Author

Hari Menon is a Freelance writer with close to 20 years of professional experience in Logistics, Warehousing, Supply chain, and Contracts administration. An avid fitness freak, and bibliophile, he loves travelling too.

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