MARINE AND OFFSHORE SAFETY

MOS (BPS2633)

Chapter 9: Introduction to
IMDG Code
 Learning outcomes

• Understand the requirements of IMDG Code

 Introduction

• The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG)

Code was developed by the International Maritime
Organization (IMO).
• A uniform international code for the transport of
Dangerous Goods (DG) by sea covering such matters
as packing, container traffic and stowage.
• The IMDG code contains detailed technical
specifications to enable Dangerous Goods (DG) to be
transported safely by sea.
• The IMDG Code became mandatory for adoption by
SOLAS signatory states from 1st January 2004.
 Updating the
IMDG Code
The IMDG Code is evolving and is updated EVERY
TWO YEARS to take account of:

• New dangerous goods which have to be included.

• New technology and methods of working with or
handling dangerous goods.
• Safety concerns which arise as a result of experience.
 Purpose

The IMDG Code is intended to:

• Prevent injury or damage to ships and cargoes
• Protect the marine environment
• Enhance the safe transport of Dangerous Goods
(DG)
• Facilitate the free unrestricted movement of
Dangerous Goods (DG)
The purpose of the IMDG Code classification system is:
• To distinguish between goods which are
dangerous for transport or not
• To identify the dangers which are presented by
dangerous goods in transport
• To ensure that the correct measure are taken to
enable these goods to be transported safely without
giving risk to persons or property (both within the
port and the ship)
 Principles of the
IMDG Code

i. Groups dangerous goods together based on the

hazards they present in transport (classification).
ii. Contains the dangerous goods in packaging
/tanks which are of appropriate strength and
which will prevent the goods escaping.
iii. Uses hazard warning labels and other identifying
marks to identify dangerous goods in transport.
iv. Requires standard documentation to be provided
when dangerous goods are being transported.
 Principles of the
IMDG Code

v. Lays down principles for ensuring that dangerous

goods which will react dangerously together are
kept apart.
vi. Lays down principles for where to place
dangerous goods on board ship to ensure safe
transport.
vii. Provides emergency response advice for
dangerous goods involved in a fire or spillage on
board ship.
 Layout of the
IMDG Code
The Code comprises 7 parts.
• It 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 (Parts 1-2 & 4-7 of the Code) comprises:

➢ Part 1 General provisions, definitions and training

➢ Part 2 Classification
➢ Part 4 Packing and tank provisions
➢ Part 5 Consignment procedures
➢ Part 6 Provisions for the construction and testing of
pressure receptacles, aerosol dispensers, small receptacles
containing gas (gas cartridges) and fuel cell cartridges
containing liquefied flammable gas
➢ Part 7 Requirements concerning transport operations
Volume 2 (Part 3 and the Appendices of the Code) comprises:

➢ Part 3 Dangerous Goods List (DGL), Special

Provisions Limited and Excepted Quantities Exceptions
➢ Appendix A List of Generic and N.O.S. (Not Otherwise
Specified) Proper Shipping Names
➢ Appendix B Glossary of terms
➢ Alphabetical Index
 IMDG Code
Classification System
Dangerous goods are classified into 9 CLASSES according
to properties. The way in which different classes of
dangerous goods are handled in transport will depend upon
these properties and hazards:

✓ The type of packaging that can be used.

✓ What classes of dangerous goods can be transported
together in freight containers.
✓ Where the goods can be stored within the port and on
the ship.
 IMDG Code
Classification System
Class 1 Explosives
Class 2 Gases These 9 hazard classes
have been established
Class 3 Flammable liquids
internationally by a
Class 4 Flammable solids United Nations (UN)
Class 5 Oxidizing substances and committee to ensure
Organic peroxides that all modes of
Class 6 Toxic and infectious substances transport (road, rail,
Class 7 Radioactive material air and sea) classify
Class 8 Corrosive substances dangerous goods in
Class 9 Miscellaneous dangerous the same way.
substances and articles
 Class 1
Explosives

• There are 6 sub-divisions:

✓ Class 1.1 mass explosion hazard
✓ Class 1.2 projection hazard, not mass explosion
✓ Class 1.3 fire hazard minor, blast and/or projection
hazard, not mass explosion
✓ Class 1.4 no significant hazard
✓ Class 1.5 very insensitive, but mass explosion
hazard
• Commonly transported Class 1 Dangerous Goods
include ammunitions, fireworks, air bag inflectors and
fuse
 Class 2
Gases
• It covers compressed gases, liquefied gases, dissolved
gases, refrigerated liquefied gases, mixtures of gases and
aerosol dispensers/articles containing gas
• There are 3 sub-divisions:
✓Class 2.1 Flammable gases
✓Class 2.2 Non-flammable, compressed gases
✓Class 2.3 Poisonous gases
• Commonly transported class 2 dangerous goods include
oxygen, natural gas, carbon dioxide, lighters, and aerosols
 Class 3
Flammable Liquids
• It covers liquid substances, molten solid substances
with a flash point above 60 oC and liquid desensitized
explosives:
✓ Class 3.1 Flashpoint (<-18oC)
✓ Class 3.2 Flashpoint in range (-18oC to < 23oC)
✓ Class 3.3 Flashpoint in range (23oC to 60oC)
• Commonly transported class 3 dangerous goods
include acetone, adhesives, paints, gasoline, perfume,
ethanol, methanol and some pesticides with flammable
solvents
 Class 4
Flammable Solids

• There are three sub-divisions:

✓ Class 4.1 Flammable solids
✓ Class 4.2 Solids or liquids spontaneously
✓ Class 4.3 Dangerous when wet
• Commonly transported class 4 dangerous goods
include sulphur, matches, activated carbon, alkali
metals and some metal powders
 Class 5
Oxidizing Substances
and Organic Peroxides

• There are 2 sub-divisions:

✓Class 5.1 Oxidizing agents /Oxidizing substances
✓ Class 5.2 Organic Peroxides
• Commonly transported class 5 dangerous goods
include hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate,
sodium nitrite, ammonium nitrate fertilizers and oxygen
generators
 Class 6
Toxic and Infectious
Substances

• There are 2 sub-divisions:

✓Class 6.1 Poisonous substances
✓Class 6.2 Infectious substances
 Class 7
Radioactive Materials

• There is NO SUB-DIVISION. However, there are

different labels for radioactive materials which
depend on the content and activity of such materials
• Commonly transported class 7 dangerous goods
include enriched uranium, radioactive ores, isotopes
and some medical equipment or parts
 Class 8
Corrosive Substance

• There is NO SUB-DIVISION.
• Corrosive substances may cause severe damage when
in contact with living tissue such as skin or damage or
destroy surrounding materials in case of leakage
 Class 9
Miscellaneous

• Substances and articles which during transport present

a danger or hazard NOT COVERED by other 8
classes.
• Commonly transported class 9 dangerous goods
include marine pollutants such as zinc oxide, lithium-
ion batteries, genetically modified organisms, air bag
modules and motor engines.
 Identification of
Dangerous Goods

PSN and UN Number

Within each of the 9 hazard classes dangerous goods are

uniquely identified by two pieces of information:

• A four-digit number known as the UN Number which is

preceded by the letters UN.
• The corresponding Proper Shipping Name (PSN).

For example, kerosene is identified in the IMDG Code by its

UN Number UN 1223 and the PSN Kerosene.
 Identification of
Dangerous Goods

Together the UN Number and PSN uniquely identify

dangerous goods to:

• enable rapid and precise identification during transport to

ensure the correct handling, stowage, segregation.
• in the event of an emergency, ensure that the correct
procedures are followed.
 Identification of
Dangerous Goods

Hazard labels (Placard)

Each of the hazard classes are also
identified by labels:
 Understanding the
Dangerous Goods List
(DGL)
• The DGL is presented across 2 pages of the
IMDG Code and is divided into 18 columns for
each individual dangerous good listed.
• Much of the information contained in the DGL
is coded to make it easier to present in a table.
• The DGL is arranged in UN Number order;
column 1 and column 18 contains the UN
Number.
Consist of 18 columns
 Understanding the
Dangerous Goods List
(DGL)
• To look up an entry, you just need the UN
Number.
• However, dangerous goods can also be searched
using the PSN.
• Therefore, if you do not have the UN Number
but have the PSN, you can find its associated UN
Number by looking at the alphabetical index at
the back of Volume 2.
 Understanding the
Dangerous Goods List
(DGL)
• Column 1 – UN Number
Contains the United Nations Number assigned by
the United Nations Committee of Experts on the
Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN List).
• Column 2 – Proper Shipping Name (PSN)
Contains the Proper Shipping Names in upper case
characters which may be followed by additional
descriptive text in lower-case characters.
 Understanding the
Dangerous Goods List
(DGL)
• Column 3 – Class or Division
Contains the class and, in the case of class 1, the
division and compatibility group.
• Column 4 – Subsidiary Risk(s)
Contains the class number(s) of any subsidiary
risk(s). This column also identifies if dangerous
goods are marine pollutants by showing the letter
‘P’.
 Understanding the
Dangerous Goods List
(DGL)
• Column 5 – Packing Group
Contains the packing group number ( I, II or III)
where assigned to the substance or article.
 Understanding the
Dangerous Goods List
(DGL)
• Column 6 – Special Provisions
Contains a number referring to any special
provision(s).
• Column 7a – Limited Quantities
Provides the maximum quantity per inner packaging.
• Column 7b – Excepted Quantities
Provides a code which can be referenced to
determine the maximum quantity per inner and outer
packaging.
 Understanding the
Dangerous Goods List
(DGL)
• Column 8 – Packing Instructions
Contains packing instructions for the transport of
substances and articles.
• Column 9 – Special Packing Provisions
Contains special packing provisions.
 Understanding the
Dangerous Goods List
(DGL)
• Column 10 – IBC Packing Instructions
Contains Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC)
instructions which indicate the type of IBC that can
be used for the transport.
• Column 11 – IBC Special Provisions
Refers to special packing provisions applicable to the
use of packing instructions bearing the code ‘IBC’.
 Understanding the
Dangerous Goods List
(DGL)
• Column 12 – IMO Tank Instructions
This column is no longer used but used to apply to
IMO portable tanks and road tank vehicles.
• Column 13 – UN Tank and Bulk Container
Instructions
Contains T codes applicable to the transport of
dangerous goods in portable tanks and road tank
vehicles.
 Understanding the
Dangerous Goods List
(DGL)
• Column 14 – Tank Special Provisions
Contains TP notes applicable to the transport of
dangerous goods in portable tanks and road tank
vehicles.
• Column 15 – EmS
Refers to the relevant emergency schedules for FIRE
and SPILLAGE in ‘The EmS Guide – Emergency
Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous
Goods’.
 Understanding the
Dangerous Goods List
(DGL)
• Column 16 – Stowage and Segregation
Contains the stowage and segregation provisions as
prescribed.
 Understanding the
Dangerous Goods List
(DGL)
• Column 17 – Properties and Observations
Contains properties and observations on the
dangerous goods listed.
• Column 18 – UN Number
Contains the United Nations Number for ease of
reference across both pages of the printed book.
 Training
Requirements

➢ In the 2002 edition of the IMDG Code, training

was introduced for the first time.
➢ The IMO Member Governments recognised that
the safe transport of dangerous goods by sea is
dependent upon the appreciation, by all persons
involved, of the risks involved and on a detailed
understanding of the IMDG Code requirements.
➢ The training requirements became mandatory.
 Training
Requirements

➢ These training requirements highlight the need for

all shore-based personnel involved in the
shipment of dangerous goods to receive training
commensurate with their responsibilities.
➢ The IMDG Code defines shore-based personnel as
those who:
• classify dangerous goods and identify PSNs
• pack dangerous goods
• mark, label or placard dangerous goods
• load/ unload Cargo transport Units (CTUS)
 Training
Requirements

• Prepare transport documents for dangerous goods

• Offer dangerous goods for transport
• Accept dangerous goods for transport
• Handle dangerous goods in transport
• Prepare dangerous goods loading/stowage plans
• Load/unload dangerous goods into/ from ships
• Carry dangerous goods in transport
• Enforce, survey or inspect for compliance with
applicable rules and regulations