IMDG Code:

The IMDG code is a very much living document and gets amended from time to time
(every 2 years). In the last decade major changes were made to Ems-emergency
medical schedule, MFAG and INF codes (carriage of nuclear materials).

IMDG Code means the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code adopted
by the Maritime Safety Committee of the Organization by resolution MSC.122(75)

The objective of the IMDG Code is to enhance the safe carriage of dangerous goods
while facilitating the free unrestricted movement of such goods and prevent pollution to
the environment.

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME DANGEROUS GOODS CODE:

 It gives a uniform international code of dangerous goods for transportation by

sea.
 It gives methods of packing in packets or in container, stowage and segregation
of incompatible substances.

Legal status of IMDG code:

 The IMDG code is a legal document under chapter VII part A of SOLAS 1974 as
amended.
 Regulation VII/1.3 prohibits the carriage of dangerous goods by sea except when
carried in accordance with the IMDG code.
 MARPOL 73/78, annex III, regulation 1(2) prohibits the carriage of harmful
substances in ships except when carried in accordance with the IMDG code.

Application and implementation of IMDG Code:

 The provisions contained in this Code are applicable to all ships to which the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 74), as
amended, applies and which are carrying dangerous goods as defined in
regulation 1 of part A of chapter VII of that Convention.

The provisions of regulation II-2/19 of that Convention apply to passenger ships and to
cargo ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002. For:

1. A passenger ship constructed on or after 1 September 1984 but before 1 July

2002; or
2. A cargo ship of 500 gross tons or over constructed on or after 1 September 1984
but before 1 July 2002; or
 3. A cargo ship of less than 500 gross tons constructed on or after 1 February 1992
but before 1 July 2002,
4. For cargo ships of less than 500 gross tons constructed on or after 1 September
1984 and before 1 February 1992, it is recommended that Contracting
Governments extend such application to these cargo ships as far as possible.
5. All ships, irrespective of type and size, carrying substances, material or articles
identified in this Code as marine pollutants are subject to the provisions of this
Code.

The aim of IMDG code is:

 To regulate the transport by sea of dangerous goods to reasonably prevent injury

to person or damage to the ship.
 To regulate transport by sea of marine pollutant to prevent harm to the marine
environment.

The contents of IMDG code:

 The code is composed of 7 parts. The code is presented in two books, volume 1
and volume 2.
 It is necessary to use both books to obtain the required information when
shipping dangerous goods by sea.

Volume – 1

Part – 1: General provision, definitions and training.

Part – 2: Classification.

Part – 4: Packing and tank provision.

Part – 5: Consignment procedure.

Part – 6: Construction and testing of packings intermediate bulk containers, large

packing portable tanks and road tank vehicles.

Part – 7: Provision concerning transport operation.

Volume – 2

Part – 3: Dangerous goods list and limited quantity exceptions.

The Dangerous Goods List is the central core of the IMDG Code and presents
information on the transport requirements for all dangerous goods in a coded form.

Following are the supplements of IMDG code:

1. EMS guide – emergency reponse procedures for ships carrying dangerous

goods.
2. MFA guide – medical first aid guide for using accidents envolving dangerous
goods.
3. Reporting procedures
4. IMO / ILO / UN number for packing cargo transport units.
5. Recommendations on the safe use of the pesticides in ships.
6. INF code – International code for the safe carriage of packaged irradiated
nuclear fuel ,
7. Plutonium and high level radioactive waves on board ships.

Classes of Dangerous Cargo are:

Class 1: Explosives

Division 1.1: substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard

Division 1.2: substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass
explosion hazard

Division 1.3: substances and articles which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast
hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard

Division 1.4: substances and articles which present no significant hazard

Division 1.5: very insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard

Division 1.6: extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard.

Class 2: Gases

Class 2.1: flammable gases

Class 2.2: non-flammable, non-toxic gases

Class 2.3: toxic gases

Class 3: Flammable liquids

Class 4: Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances
which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases

Class 4.1: flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives

Class 4.2: substances liable to spontaneous combustion

Class 4.3: substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases.

Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides

Class 5.1: oxidizing substances

Class 5.2: organic peroxides

Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances

Class 6.1: toxic substances

Class 6.2: infectious substances

Class 7: Radioactive material

Class 8: Corrosive substances

Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

The numerical order of the classes and divisions is not that of the degree of danger.

Class 10: Marine pollutants

Marine pollutants shall be classified in accordance with chapter 2.9.3 in IMDG Code.
 IM
DG Cargoes – Dangerous Goods Classes
The documents required for carriage of IMDG cargo are:-

 Shipping declaration
 Document of compliance
 Dangerous goods manifest

Objective of IMDG Code:

1. Enhance the safe carriage of dangerous goods by all
modes of transportation.
2. Facilitate free and unrestricted movement.
3. Bring worldwide uniformity in their carriage regulations.
4. Prevent injury to personnel.
5. Prevent damage to ship and her cargoes.
6. Regulate the carriage of marine pollutant so as to prevent
damage to marin environment.

Shipper’s Declaration of Dangerous

Goods:
The legislation requires a declaration from the consignor
(shipper) stating that the goods declared are classified and
packed correctly and also a declaration from the person
packing the container that it has been done so correctly,
these are Dangerous Goods Declaration and the Container
Packing Certificate.

These declarations may be in any format, but must be in

accordance with the regulations of the IMDG code, Chapter 5.4
refers (an example is given below) Often, the Dangerous Goods
Declaration is combined with the Container Packing Certificate
into one document, generally known as the Multimodal
Dangerous Goods Form.
These documents can also known as Dangerous Goods Note
(DGN), Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD), Multimodal
Dangerous Goods Form (MDGF), Shippers Declaration, and
Dangerous Cargo Declaration (DCD)

The information required on the documents is as follows:

Shipper – full name and address

Consignee – full name and address

Description of goods in sequence

a) UN number (preceded by UN)

b) Proper Shipping Name including technical name (if required)

c) Primary IMO class, secondary, tertiary

d) Packing Group

Information which supplements the Proper Shipping Name in

the dangerous goods description (If applicable)

 Technical names for “n.o.s.” and other generic

descriptions
 Empty uncleaned packagings, bulk containers and tanks
 Wastes
 Elevated temperature substances
 Marine Pollutants
 Flashpoint
 Mass kg gross/ net

In addition to the dangerous goods description the following

information shall be included after the dangerous goods
description on the dangerous goods transport document.
Total quantity of dangerous goods: – This includes the weight
in Kilos of each substance, as well as the number and type of
packaging.

Also to be included if applicable;

 Limited quantities
 Salvage packagings
 Substances stabilized by temperature control
 Control and Emergency temperature: ….° C
 Aerosols – If the capacity of an aerosol is above 1000ml,
this shall be declared.

Statement: “Dangerous goods being transported have been

packed, labeled & declared in accordance with standard
international shipping regulation & IMDG code”

Segregation of Dangerous Goods:

This section has tables for following:

1. Segregation for dangerous goods carried in packaged

form: this is given in the form of a table. Stating the type
of segregation required between classes of cargo,
excluding class 1, which has an altogether separate
table. The terms used for segregation are:
Away from:
Effectively segregated so that the incompatible
goods cannot interact dangerously in the event of
an accident but may be transported in the same
compartment or hold or on deck, provided a
minimum horizontal separation of 3 m, projected
vertically, is obtained.

Separated from:
In different compartments or holds when
stowed under deck. Provided the intervening deck
is resistant to fire and liquid, a vertical separation,
i.e., in different compartments, may be accepted as
equivalent to this segregation. For on
deck stowage, this segregation means a separation
by a distance of at least 6 m horizontally.

Separated by a complete compartment or hold

from:
Either a vertical or a horizontal separation. If the
intervening decks are not resistant to fire and
liquid, then only a longitudinal separation, i.e., by
an intervening complete compartment or hold, is
acceptable. For on deck stowage, this segregation
means a separation by a distance of at least 12 m
horizontally. The same distance has to be applied if
one package is stowed on deck, and the other one
in an upper compartment.

Note: One of the two decks must be

resistant to fire and to liquid.
 Separated longitudinally by an intervening
complete compartment or hold from:
Vertical separation alone does not meet this
requirement. Between a package under deck and
one on deck, a minimum distance of 24 m, including
a complete compartment, must be maintained
longitudinally. For on deck stowage, this
segregation means a separation by a distance of at
least 24 m longitudinally.

Legend

Reference package. . . . . . . . . .

Package containing incompatible goods . . .

Deck resistant to fire and liquid. .

Note: Vertical lines represent transverse watertight bulkheads

between cargo spaces.

 For containers the table is the same as above but the

meaning of the above segregation terms is different.
 For hatch coverless type container vessel, the table is
again the same but the meanings of the above
segregation terms are different.
 There is a separate table for ro-ro vessel.
  Separate table for segregation between cargo in bulk and
cargo in packaged form.
 Segregation table for class 1 cargo which is by
compatibility codes. Which are A to L, N and S.

Precautions while Loading/ Carrying/

Discharging Dangerous Goods:
1. “No Smoking” signs to be put up & strictly enforced.
2. “No naked lights” permitted on the deck or in the holds.
3. Fire hoses to be rigged, fire main charged & other fire
fighting apparatus kept in a constant state of readiness.
4. Spark arresters to be fitted over the funnel, galley –
exhausts & hold ventilators.
5. No hot work, chipping or painting to be in progress on
deck to avoid creating sources of ignition.
6. Flashlights, walkie-talkies etc. to be intrinsically safe.
7. No oily waste, wood, rope, gunny, etc, to be left in hold or
on deck where it can catch fire by spontaneous heating.
8. Fire patrol & gangway watches to be maintained.
9. Refer to the IMDG Code & findout the particulars for the
cargo to be loaded with regards to hazards (compatibility,
stowage, segregation)
10. The appropriate international code of signals by day
& by night is to be displayed.
11. No bunkering operation is to be carried out during
loading or discharging.
12. Wireless transmission should not be done of voltage
exceeding 50 volts.
13. Radar should not be operated during loading or
discharge.
14. Forklifts should not be used in the vicinity of
dangerous goods.
15. Loading is to be suspended if inclement weather
threatens.
 16. Defective packages should not be accident.
17. Port regulation is to be complied.
18. Explosive must be stowed in a magazine, which is a
woodlined compartment, sometimes specially
constructed to stow explosives safely.
19. No electric cables should pass through the
magazine, if this is unavoidable, the cable should be
sheathed by an approved, sealed, non combustible barrier
& tested before loading.
20. Explosive are unstable when wet & should be stowed
in a cool, dry, well ventilated space away from hot
bulkhead or decks.
21. Electrical fittings must be disconnected in
compartments containing dangerous goods.
22. Ventilation fans to the space must be flame-proof, if
not disconnected.
23. Explosives must be stowed away from living
quarters.
24. Masts must be fitted with an efficient lightning
conductor as lightning presents a grave danger.

Q. Explain in brief, the purpose and usefulness of IMDG Code.

Ans. IMDG Code is required for ships carrying dangerous goods in packaged form and limited
quantity. It has Vol 1, Vol 2 and supplements.

An internationally agreed system, allows grouping dangerous goods together, based on the
hazards they present in carriage and transportation. It guides in respect of packagings / tanks
strength and construction. There is a provision of labels and other identifying marks to identify
dangerous goods in transport.
The system requires standard documentation to be provided when dangerous goods are being
transported. The segregation and compatibility aspects are taken care in order to prevent undue
influence of cargoes on one another. It guides regarding principles in respect of, where to place
dangerous goods on board ship to ensure safe transport. System also provides emergency
response advice and a flowchart based medical attendance procedure to handle an injured or
affected person.

Q. Which ships must carry IMDG Code?

Ans. The provisions contained in this Code are applicable to all ships to which the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), as amended, applies and which are
carrying dangerous goods as defined in regulation 1 of part A of chapter VII of that Convention.

However, 1.1.1.3 of IMDG Code also states that, all ships, irrespective of type and size, carrying
substances, materials or articles identified in this Code as marine pollutants are subject to the
provisions of this Code.

Q. Where is the reference made to IMDG Code in SOLAS?

Ans. Part A of chapter VII of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974
(SOLAS), as amended, deals with the carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form.

Q. What regulations are included in part A of chapter VII?

Ans.
Regulation 1 gives definitions for 1 IMDG Code 2 Dangerous goods 3 Packaged form.
Regulation 2 is Application.
Regulation 3 is requirements for the carriage of dangerous goods.
Regulation 4 is documents.
Regulation 5 is cargo Securing Manual.
Regulation 6 is reporting of incidents involving dangerous goods.

Q. What does the regulation 4 say about documents?

Ans.

 Transport information relating to the carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form and
the container/ vehicle packing certificate shall be in accordance with the relevant
provisions of the IMDG Code and shall be made available to the person or organization
designated by the Port State Authority.
 Each ship carrying dangerous goods in packaged form shall have a special list, manifest
or stowage plan setting forth, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the IMDG
Code, the dangerous goods on board and the location thereof. A copy of one of these
documents shall be made available before departure to the person or organization
designated by the port State authority.

Q. What is the regulation in respect of reporting in respect of dangerous goods?

Ans.

1. When an incident takes place involving the loss or likely loss overboard of dangerous
goods in packaged form into the sea, the Master, or other person having charge of the
ship, shall report the particulars of such an incident without delay and to the fullest extent
possible to the nearest coastal State. The report shall be drawn up based on general
principles and guidelines developed by the Organization.
2. In the event of the ship referred to in paragraph 1 being abandoned, or in the event of a
report from such a ship being incomplete or unobtainable, the company, shall, to the
fullest extent possible, assume the obligations placed upon the Master by this regulation.
Q. Which annex of MARPOL deals with prevention of pollution by harmful substances
carried by sea in packaged form?
Ans. Annex III Regulations for the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea
in packaged form.

Q. How is harmful substance defined in Annex III?

Ans. For the purpose of this Annex, “harmful substances” are those substances which are
identified as marine pollutants in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG
Code) or which meet the criteria in the Appendix of this Annex.

Q. What are the different types of harmful substances as provided in Annex III?
Ans. For the purposes of this Annex, substances identified by any one of the following criteria
are harmful substances:
(a) Acute (short-term) aquatic hazard.
(b) Long-term aquatic hazard, which are further catagorised as:
(i) Non-rapidly degradable substances for which there are adequate chronic toxicity data
available;
(ii) Rapidly degradable substances for which there are adequate chronic toxicity data available;
and
(iii) Substances for which adequate chronic toxicity data are not available.

Q. How is the classification and division of dangerous goods done?

Ans. Various substances which are transported, are categorized into classes from 1 to 9
according to the hazard or the most characteristic of the hazards they present. Some classes are
further subdivided into divisions.

Q. Describe class 1 & 2.

Ans.
Class 1: Explosives
Class 1 explosives are subdivided in 6 sub-classes according to the compatibility:

 Division 1.1: substances and articles, which have a mass explosion hazard
 Division 1.2: substances and articles, which have a projection, hazard but not a mass
explosion hazard
 Division 1.3: substances and articles, which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast
hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard
 Division 1.4: substances and articles, which present no significant hazard
 Division 1.5: very insensitive substances, which have a mass explosion hazard
 Division 1.6: extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard

Class 2 is gases. Gases are carried in liquid, compressed, or refrigerated form. Based on the
properties, whether asphyxiant, oxidizing, flammable, or toxic they, these gases are divided into
three subclasses.
Subclass 2.1 is. Flammable gas. The gas is ignitable when it comes in contact with a heat source
Examples are propylene, ethane, or butane. The label must contain a symbol with a black or
white flame on a red background, with the number “2” at the bottom.

Subclass 2.2 has Non-flammable, non-toxic gases. These are gases that displace oxygen, causing
asphyxiation; Helium for example causes such effect. The label contains an image of a black or
white bottle of gas on a green background, with the number “2” at the bottom.

Subclass 2.3 covers toxic gases. These are gases that can cause serious injury or death when
inhaled. They can be flammable, corrosive, or oxidizing, such as chlorine. The label contains an
image of a black skull over black crossbones. The background is white and it contains the
number “2” at the bottom.

Q. What is the difference between flammable and inflammable?

Ans. They mean the same.

Q. What is the difference between flammable and combustible?

Ans. Flammable and combustible materials differ based on the temperatures at which when
exposed will catch fire. Flammable substances will ignite at lower temperatures than
combustibles when exposed to an ignition source. Such specific temperature, is called flash
point. This is what separates flammable and combustible substances.

Q. What are flammable liquids and flammable solids?

Ans. Class 3 is allotted to flammable liquids.
This classification includes flammable liquids and insensitive liquid explosives. Examples
contain turpentine, gasoline, paints, varnish, etc. The label contains a symbol with a black or
white flame on a red background. Label is very similar to 2.1. The difference being in this case a
number “3” at the bottom.

The class 4, ‘flammable solids’ is divided into the following subcategories based on the
properties of the solids:
Subclass 4.1. Flammable solids, self-reactive substances, and desensitized explosives. These
solids are liable to spontaneous combustion. The label contains a black flame on a white
background with seven vertical red stripes and the number “4” at the bottom.

Subclass 4.2. These are spontaneously combustible substances. This means that they could
suddenly ignite when they come in contact with the air or water during transport. Coal, ferrous
metal shavings, wet cotton, etc. come in this category. The label contains a black flame on a
background that is white on top and red on the bottom, with the number “4”.

Subclass 4.3. Flammable gases are emitted when substance comes in contact with water. Some
of the most common materials in this subclass include sodium, potassium, and calcium carbide.
The label contains a black or white flame on a blue background with the number “4” at the
bottom.

Q. Describe class 5 & 6.

Ans. Class 5 is ‘oxidizing substances and organic peroxides’. The class is divided into two
subcategories.

1. Subclass 5.1. ‘oxidizing substances’. Liquids or solids that can cause combustion or create a
flammable environment. E.g. Ammonium Nitrate. The label contains a black flame on top of a
circle, with a yellow background and the number “5.1” at the bottom.

2. Subclass 5.2. ‘Organic peroxides’. These substances are derived from Hydrogen Peroxide.
They may only be transported in certain quantities in special cargo units. The label contains a
black or white flame with a background that is red on top and yellow on the bottom. It also
contains the number “5.2” at the bottom.

Class 6 is ‘toxic substances’. This class is divided into the following subcategories based on the
properties of the substance:
Subclass 6.1. Toxic substances. Serious medical issues, even death can be caused by inhalation.
The skin based absorption, or ingestion is also dangerous. The label for this subclass contains a
black skull and crossbones over a white background. It is similar to the label for class 2.3, toxic
gases.
Subclass 6.2. Infectious substances. Samples of blood, excrement, lab cultures, etc, containing
bacteria, etc are carried sometimes say under a WHO project. These substances can cause
infection.. The label for this subclass may contain the words “Infectious substances” at the
bottom. The label includes a symbol made up of three black crescent moons on top of a circle,
with a white background and the number “6” at the bottom.

Q. Describe class 7.
Ans. Class 7 is ‘radioactive material’. This class has materials such as uranium, plutonium, and
thorium. There are 4 categories of radioactive material.
Category I. Packages with a maximum surface radiation level of 0.5 mrem/hr(milliroentgens per
hour). In case of containers there are no packages with higher categories. The label for this
category is white with a black trefoil shape; below this is the word “Radioactive”, followed by a
small red vertical line. The label also contains remarks and number “7” at the bottom.

Category II. Packages with a surface radiation level greater than 0.5 mrem/hr (milliroentgens
per hour), but no more than 50 mrem/hr. The transport index must not exceed 1.0.
Category III. Packages with a maximum surface radiation level of 200 mrem/hr. Transport
index of containers is less than or equal to 1.0.

Category IV: Fissionable materials. This label is white and must contain the word
“FISSIONABLE” in black at the top. At the bottom is a box that says “Critical Care Index” and
the number “7”.

Q. What are corrosive substances? What is the class?Class 8 is corrosive substances.

Ans. A corrosive substance may attack a wide variety of materials, but the term is usually
applied to chemicals that can cause chemical burns. These substances have a destructive effect .
Thus, they are damaging to skin tissue. Sulfuric acid for instance is corrosive. The label has two
test tubes with the number “8”.

Q. What is the significance of class 9?

Ans. Class 9 is ‘miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles’.
This category includes dangerous substances not included in the other classes, but can cause
considerable danger. Lithium batteries, dry ice, etc. can be such cargoes. The label is white with
seven vertical black lines on the top half and the number “‘9”, underlined, in the bottom half.

Q. What are the placards for elevated temperature mark & environmentally hazardous
substances?