The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), as amended, deals with various aspects of maritime safety and contains in chapter VII the mandatory provisions governing the carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form. The carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form shall comply with the relevant provisions of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code which is considered an extension to the provisions of SOLAS chapter VII.

Furthermore, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL), which contains in its Annex III mandatory provisions for the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form, prohibits the carriage of harmful substances in ships except in accordance with the provisions of MARPOL Annex III, which are also extended in the IMDG Code.

The IMDG Code was developed as an international code for the maritime transport of dangerous goods in packaged form, in order to enhance and harmonize the safe carriage of dangerous goods and to prevent pollution to the environment. The Code sets out in detail the requirements applicable to each individual substance, material or article, covering matters such as packing, container traffic and stowage, with particular reference to the segregation of incompatible substances.

IMDG Code Classes and Divisions

When you’re looking to implement IMDG Code categories, it’s crucial to understand the nine IMDG Code classes and the materials falling under them. You can then figure out the classes of the materials you normally transport and follow proper handling procedures. Review this IMDG Code summary to gain a better understanding of how the IMDG Code classifies dangerous goods:

• Class 1 — explosives: Any material or item listed in the explosives category is one that can quickly conflagrate or detonate due to a chemical reaction. You can find items like fireworks, airbag inflators listed under this class. Explosives are further broken down into six subdivisions.
• Class 2 — gases: If a substance is totally gaseous at a standard atomic pressure at 20 degrees Celsius or has a vapor pressure of 300 kPa or higher at 50 degrees Celsius, it’s classified as a gas. There are three subdivisions for gases, with items like fire extinguishers, natural gas, propane, gas cartridges, compressed gases and aerosols included.
• Class 3 — flammable liquids: A flammable liquid is classified as a liquid, mixture of liquid or liquid containing solids with a flashpoint lower than or equal to 60 degrees to 65 degrees Celsius. Additionally, flammable liquids include liquids transported at or above their flashpoints. Primary examples of flammable liquids include paints, acetone, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuels, alcohols and adhesives.
• Class 4 — flammable solids: If a material is easily combustible under common transportation conditions, it’s classified as a flammable solid. This classification also includes self-reactive substances that may go through solid desensitized explosions or exothermic reactions. There are three subdivisions in this class. Common items include sodium batteries, metal powders, activated carbon and matches.
• Class 5 — oxidizing substances, organic peroxides: Organic peroxides are substances with a chemical structure where organic radicals have replaced a single hydrogen atom or both hydrogen atoms. Oxidizing substances include those that may cause or at least contribute to combustion due to the possibility of chemical reactions causing oxygen yield. These hazardous materials include sodium nitrate, ammonium nitrate fertilizers, nitrites, nitrates, chemical oxygen generators and more.
• Class 6 — toxic substances and infectious substances: Infectious substances are defined as materials that have, or are likely to have, pathogens, such as fungi, parasites and bacteria, that can give animals and humans diseases. If a substance can cause harm when swallowed, inhaled or contacted, it’s classified as a toxic substance. Common examples of these types of dangerous substances are arsenic, cyanides, chloroform, nicotine, acids, dyes, tear gas, biomedical waste and biological cultures.
• Class 7 — radioactive material: If a material contains radionuclides where the activity concentration and total activity exceed predefined values, it’s classified as a radioactive material. Since these materials can be very harmful to human health, it’s important to transport them correctly. You can find radioactive materials, such as density gauges, depleted uranium, radioactive ores and medical isotopes included in this classification.
• Class 8 — corrosives: Substances that degrade or disintegrate other materials with chemical actions via contact are classified as corrosive. When these substances aren’t transported appropriately, they can damage living tissue and leak during transit. Some of the main types of corrosives include batteries, flux, paints, dyes and acids.
• Class 9 — miscellaneous hazardous materials: When materials don’t fit under the previously mentioned categories, they’re put under the miscellaneous hazardous materials banner. You can find magnetized materials, genetically modified organisms, substances transported at high temperatures and environmentally hazardous substances in this classification. Examples of these materials include fuel cell engines, first-aid kits, life-saving appliances, lithium-ion batteries and dry ice.

IMDG Regulations 2020

The IMO regularly updates IMDG regulations to provide users codes and regulations that keep a company’s shipping processes safe. In 2020, the IMDG Code, 2018 edition came into effect on the first of January. The 2018 edition is still the current IMDG Code shippers must follow. The IMDG Code, 2020 is soon to be released, with regulation compliance voluntary beginning the first of January, 2021. The 2020 IMDG Codes will become mandatory on June 1, 2022, following a five-month delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.