The International Maritime Dangerous Goods or IMDG Code was adopted in 1965 as per the SOLAS (Safety for Life at Sea) Convention of 1960 under the IMO. The IMDG Code was formed to prevent all types of pollutions at sea.
The IMDG code also ensures that the goods transported through seaways are packaged in such a way that they can be safely transported. The dangerous goods code is a uniform code. This means that the code is applicable to all cargo-carrying ships around the world.
Related Reading: 8 Things Deck Officers Must Know While Handling Packaged IMDG Cargo
What Is IMDG CODE?
The dangerous goods code has been created as per the recommendations of the United Nations’ panel of experts on transportation of hazardous goods along with the IMO (International Maritime Organisation). This proposal by the UN was presented as a report in the year 1956 after which the IMO IMDG Code was started to be drafted in the year 1961.
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Related Reading: 5 Instruments of IMO every Seafarer Should Know
Since marine transportation has undergone a lot of development and changes, it becomes essential that the code also keeps up with the changes. This is why there have been constant amendments to the IMDG code. The amendments are proposed every two years, and the adoption of the amendments takes place after two years of the proposal by the concerned authorities. The amendments are proposed in this manner:
- The countries that are members of the IMO present the required proposal
- The UN’s expert panel then views and decides what proposals merit immediate attention in the upcoming amendment
Related Reading: Material Safety Data Sheet or MSDS Used On Ships
Shipping Dangerous Cargo
Shipping dangerous goods is a very tricky business. This is why to avoid complications or problems while categorizing the aspect and level of danger; there is a set of classification for dangerous goods. There are nine clauses in which the dangerous goods are classified. The dangerous goods labels and dangerous goods certificate for the cargo are issued as per the nine clauses which are explained as follows:
- Classification 1 is for explosives. The same classification has six sub-divisions for materials which pose a high explosive risk, low explosive risk, to name a few
- Classification 2 is for gases. This clause has three sub-categories that talk about gases that are highly inflammable, that are not inflammable and gases that neither inflammable nor toxic
- Classification 3 is for liquids and has no sub-divisions
- Classification 4 is for solids. There are three sub-categories that deal with highly combustible solids, self-reactive solids and solids that when interact with water could emit toxic gases
- Classification 5 is for substances that have the chances of oxidisation
- Classification 6 is for all kinds of substances that are toxic and that could prove to be infective
- Classification 7 is specifically for materials that are radioactive
- Classification 8 is for materials that face the threat of corrosion and erosion
- Classification 9 is for those substances that cannot be classified under any of the above heads but still are dangerous goods
Related Reading: Classification of Dangerous Goods
Importance of IMDG Code for seafarers
All the crew members engaged on a ship and involved directly with dangerous cargo carried on the ship must undergo dangerous goods course, which is based on STCW requirements and prepared as per IMO guidance. There are several shore-based training centres which offer dangerous goods training to handle the IMDG cargo on a ship. Following are important points, which a seafarer must understand under IMDG code:
- The seafarer should be able to classify dangerous goods and identify the shipping names of dangerous goods.
- He/she should know how the particular IMDG cargo should be packed
- He should understand different types of markings, labels or placards used to address various dangerous goods
- Must know safe practice to load/unload the cargo unit carrying the IMDG product
Related Reading: Cargo Handling On Ships – 10 Tips That Can Save Your Life
- The seafarer should understand the transport documents used for dangerous goods
- How to handle the dangerous goods when the ship is under voyage
Related Reading: Understanding Principles Of Passage Planning
- Inspector conduct a survey, if needed, to comply with applicable rules and regulations
- To know the best procedure to contain and fight a fire involving dangerous goods carried on ship
Related Reading: Fighting Fire In Ship’s Cargo Hold
- To prepare dangerous goods loading/stowage plans considering ship stability, safety and emergency preparedness during an unfortunate incident.
- Understand the importance of correct dangerous goods declaration for port authorities and land transit purpose
At present, the reach of the IMDG Code extends to about 150 countries around the world with around 98% ships following the requirements of the code. This figure helps us to understand the effectiveness of the code with respect to shipping dangerous goods across the oceans and the marine life-forms that exist therein.
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if all DG containers need label? even class 9 ?????????????or limited quantity?
All dangerous goods need a label no matter if it is in a small bottle or large drum such that it can be easily identified and it’s chemical properties easily recognised by the pictogram i.e. corrosive, flammable. because as ordinary people handling it, you are not going to be able to tell if it’s an flammable chemical by it’s chemical name so how will you know how to properly handle it?.
It is important in the transport of dangerous goods (air/sea/land) that all chemicals be correctly named and labelled. There are strict laws on it (air/sea/land) and especially if you are importing/ exporting that stuff.
i)Does Coal Comes Under IMDG Cargo?
ii)Does imdg applies to all ships carrying dangerous goods or only goods in packed form?
what are the functions of the IMDG code and how all types of dangerous and hazardous goods are classified within it.
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Juventus matchtröja
Thank you very much for your kind words. Credit goes to our readers like you, for supporting us.
Great post! Have nice day ! 🙂 mozux
How does the various elements contained in the IMDG code enables the safe carriage of dangerious goods at sea.
It says the imdg code is applicable for all ships carrying dangerous cargo. What about oil and chemical tankers carrying dangerous cargoes is bulk?
@Jose: It is applicable for all hazardous cargo…carried in any form.
@yash
Yes coal comes under imdg code..
It comes under group B under imsbc
i.e substance which posses chemical hazards.
very informative post thanxxx….
Glad the post is useful ????
hi, Just now we have some goods which is solar panel for domestic use string light. Forwarder required many doc in MSDS file show it is IMDG 37-14 . Can we ship as NDG ??
I wanted to know if I can ship a mixed load and use a “DANGER” placard
@It depends on various factor such as how the dangerous cargo will react with others. The best way is to ship them separately.
Does IMDG training legally required.
IS it applied for aviation?
I am happy to read article, such an informative content that you have provided for us. I would love to read more blogs about it. Keep it up with good work.
@Dylan: Thank you for your kind words.
HI Anish
Great article – a question please.
I am associated with a port operator that received a number of leaking (chemical) containers. I am new to the ports industry and I detect some disagreement here. Is IMDG relevant and useful to berthed vessels would you say? – emergency response, containment, safe management? Or is it more usefully applicable to vessels at sea?
Appreciate your guidance.
Ron
@Ron: The IMDG code provides document for the dangerous cargo which is applicable in any place, whether it is in land, sea, or on ship berthed in port.
Is there any provisions that allows a vessel carrying dangerous goods either packed or not can discharge at sea?
if it has, since most of it is in package form, is criteria essential in discharging?
@Jovel: Did you mean discharge packaged cargo at sea? It can be done under emergency circumstances only.