IMDG NOTES

CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS IN PACKAGED FORM

IMDG Code means the Interna onal Mari me Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code adopted by the Mari me Safety
Commi ee of the Organiza on. Packaged form means the form of containment specified in the IMDG Code.

The contents of IMDG code:

 The code is composed of 7 parts. The code is presented in two books, vol 1 & vol 2 and A Supplement.
 It is necessary to use both books to obtain the required informa on when shipping dangerous goods by sea.

Volume – 1

Part – 1: General provision, defini ons, and training.

Part – 2: Classifica on.
Part – 4: Packing and tank provision.
Part – 5: Consignment procedure.
Part – 6: Construc on & tes ng of packings intermediate bulk containers,
large packing portable tanks and road tank vehicles.
Part – 7: Provision concerning transport opera on.

Volume – 2

Part – 3: Dangerous goods list (DGL) and limited quan ty excep ons.
The Dangerous Goods List is the central core of the IMDG Code and presents informa on 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. Repor ng procedures
4. IMO / ILO / UN number for packing cargo transport units.
5. Recommenda ons on the safe use of the pes cides in ships.
6. INF code – Interna onal code for the safe carriage of packaged irradiated nuclear fuel,
7. Plutonium and high-level radioac ve waves on board ships.

Classifica on of IMDG Cargo

The responsibility of classifica on is with the shipper / consignor or with the competent authority. The Globally
Harmonised System (GHS) of Classifica on and Labelling of Chemicals is a system for standardising and harmonising
the classifica on and labelling of chemicals.

Class 1: Explosives
Class 2: Gases
Class 3: Flammable liquids
Class 4.1: Flammable solids
Class 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combus on
Class 4.3: substances, which, when in contact with water, emit flammable gases
Class 5.1: Oxidizing substances
Class 5.2: Organic peroxides
Class 6.1: Toxic & infec ous substances
Class 6.2: Infec ous substances
Class 7: Radioac ve material
Class 8: Corrosive substances
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and ar cles
Class 10: Marine pollutants (Marine pollutants shall be classified in accordance with chapter 2.9.3 in IMDG Code).
Documents
The documents required for carriage of IMDG cargo are-
 Shipping declara on
 Document of compliance
 Dangerous goods manifest

1. In all documents rela ng to the carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form by sea, the Proper Shipping Name
of the goods shall be used (trade names alone shall not be used) and the correct descrip on given in accordance with
the classifica on set out in the IMDG Code.

2. The transport documents prepared by the shipper shall include or be accompanied by, a signed cer ficate or a
declara on that the consignment, as offered for carriage, is properly packaged, marked, labeled or placarded, as
appropriate, and in proper condi on for carriage.

3. The person(s) responsible for the packing/ loading of dangerous goods in a cargo transport unit shall provide a
signed container/ vehicle packing cer ficate sta ng that the cargo in the unit has been properly packed and secured
and that all applicable transport requirements have been met. Such a cer ficate may be combined with the
document referred to in paragraph 2.

4. Where there is due cause to suspect that a cargo transport unit in which dangerous goods are packed is not in
compliance with the requirements of paragraph 2 or 3, or where a container/ vehicle packing cer ficate is not
available, the cargo transport unit shall not be accepted for carriage.

5. Each ship carrying dangerous goods in packaged form shall have a special list or manifest se ng forth, in
accordance with the classifica on set out in the IMDG Code, the dangerous goods on board and the loca on thereof.

A detailed stowage plan, which iden fies by class and sets out the loca on of all dangerous goods on board, may be
used in place of such a special list or manifest. A copy of one of these documents shall be made available before
departure to the person or organiza on designated by the port State authority.

Packing:
Dangerous goods shall be packed in good quality packaging’s, including IBCs and large packagings, which s'~all b
strong enough to withstand the shocks and loadings normally encountered during transpo~ ip uding trans-shipment
between cargo transport units and between cargo transport units and waref1ouses as well as any removal from a
pallet or overpack for subsequent manual or mechanical handling.
Packaging’s, including IBCs and large packaging, shall be constructed and closed so as to prevent any loss of contents
when prepared for transport which may be caused under normal condi ons of transport, by vibra on, or by changes
in temperature, humidity or pressure (resul ng from al tude, for example).
Packaging’s, including IBCs and large packaging’s, shall be closed in accordance with the informa on provided by the
manufacturer. No dangerous residue shall adhere to the outside of packages, IBCs, and large packaging during
transport. These provisions apply, as appropriate, to new, reused, recondi oned, or remanufactured packaging, and
to new, reused, repaired, or remanufactured IBCs, and to new, reused, or remanufactured large packaging’s.

Parts of packaging’s, including IBCs and large packaging’s, which are in direct contact with dangerous goods:
1. Shall not be affected or significantly weakened by those dangerous goods;
2. Shall not cause a dangerous effect, such as catalysing a reac on or reac ng with the dangerous goods; and
3. Shall not allow permea on of the dangerous goods that could cons tute a danger under normal condi ons
of transport. Where necessary, they shall be provided with a suitable inner coa ng of treatment

EmS
The EmS guide contains guidance on Emergency Response Procedures for Ships carrying Dangerous Goods including
EmS schedules to be followed in case of a fire or spillage involving DG regulated under the IMDG code.
The EmS schedule is intended to assist shipowners and operators to integrate it into their shipboard emergency
response procedures. It is intended for use in an emergency response without any external assistance.
The first step is to iden fy the dangerous goods from the UN number and PSN. A er iden fica on the specific EmS
fire or spillage schedule is consulted for appropriate ac on.
There are 10 Fire Schedules (FA – FJ) and There are 26 Spillage Schedules (SA – SZ)
MFAG
The IMO/ WHO/ 1LO Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG) refers to the
substances, material and ar cles covered by the IMDG Code. It is intended to provide advice necessary for ini al
management of chemical poisoning and diagnosis within the limits of facili es available at sea. General informa on
about the par cular toxic effects likely to be encountered is given in the MFAG. The treatment recommended in the
guide is specified in the appropriate tables and sec ons in the appendices.
To ensure rapid access to recommenda ons in an emergency, the guide is divided into sec ons grouped to facilitate a
three- ered approach.
The emergency ac ons and diagnosis lead the user to tables giving brief instruc ons for special circumstances and
then to appendices which provide comprehensive informa on, a list of medicines/drugs, and list of chemicals
requiring special treatment in the tables.

Repor ng of incidents involving dangerous goods

[Link] 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 par culars 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 Organiza on.

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, as defined in regula on IX/1.2, shall, to the fullest extent possible,
assume the obliga ons placed upon the master by this regula on.

Marking &Labelling

Marking and labelling of dangerous goods is according to their proper es. All package markings:
1. Shall be readily visible and legible;
2. Shall be such that this informa on will s ll be iden fiable on packages surviving at least three month's
immersion in the sea. In considering suitable marking methods, account shall be taken of the durability of
the packaging materials used and the surface of the package;
3. Shall be displayed on a background of contras ng colour on the external surface of the package; and
4. Shall not be located with other package markings that could substan ally reduce their effec veness.
5. Salvage packaging shall addi onally be marked with the word "SALVAGE" .
6. Intermediate bulk containers of more than 450 L capacity and large packaging shall be marked on two
opposing sides.

Placarding

1. Enlarged labels also known as placardsand marks and signs shall be affixed to the exterior surfaces of a cargo
transport unit to provide a warning that the contents of the unit are dangerous goods and present risks.
2. The methods of placarding and marking shall be such that this informa on will s ll be iden fiable on cargo
transport units surviving at least three months immersion in the sea.
3. All placards, orange panels, marks and signs shall be removed from cargo transport units or masked as soon
as both the dangerous goods or their residues are discharged. Placards shall be affixed to the exterior surface
of cargo transport units to provide a warning that the contents of the unit are dangerous goods and present
risks. Placards shall correspond to the primary risk of the goods contained in the cargo trans ort unit. Placards
shall be displayed on a background of contras ng colour. Placards shall also be displayed for those subsidiary
risks for which a subsidiary risk label is required.

A cargo transport unit containing dangerous goods or residues of dangerous goods shall clearly display placards
as follows:

i) A freight container, semi-trailer or portable tank: one on each side and one on each end of the unit;
ii) A railway wagon: at least on each side;
iii) A mul -compartment tank containing more than one dangerous substance or their residues: along
each side at the posi ons of the relevant compartments; and
iv) Any other cargo transport unit: at least on both sides and on back of the unit.
 Segrega on of Dangerous Goods

Segrega on table
The general provisions for segrega on between the various classes of dangerous goods are shown in the
“segrega on table” given below.

Since the proper es of substances, materials or ar cles within each class may vary greatly, the Dangerous Goods List
shall always be consulted for par cular provisions for segrega on as, in the case of conflic ng provisions, these take
precedence over the general provisions.
Segrega on shall also take account of a single subsidiary hazard label.

1.1 1.3
CLASS 1.2 1.6 1.4 2.1 2.2 2.3 3 4.1 4.2 4.3 5.1 5.2 6.1 6.2 7 8 9
1.5
Explosives 1.1, 1.2, 1.5 * * * 4 2 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 2 4 X
Explosives 1.3, 1.6 * * * 4 2 2 4 3 3 4 4 4 2 4 2 2 X
Explosives 1.4 * * * 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 X 4 2 2 X
Flammable gases 2.1 4 4 2 X X X 2 1 2 2 2 2 X 4 2 1 X
Non-toxic, non-flammable gases 2.2 2 2 1 X X X 1 X 1 X X 1 X 2 1 X X
Toxic gases 2.3 2 2 1 X X X 2 X 2 X X 2 X 2 1 X X
Flammable liquids 3 4 4 2 2 1 2 X X 2 2 2 2 X 3 2 X X
Flammable solids (including self- 4.1
reac ve substances and solid 4 3 2 1 X X X X 1 X 1 2 X 3 2 1 X
desensi zed explosives)
Substances liable to 4.2
spontaneous combus on 4 3 2 2 1 2 2 1 X 1 2 2 1 3 2 1 X

Substances which, in contact 4.3

with water, emit flammable gases 4 4 2 2 X X 2 X 1 X 2 2 X 2 2 1 X

Oxidizing substances (agents) 5.1 4 4 2 2 X X 2 1 2 2 X 2 1 3 1 2 X

Organic peroxides 5.2 4 4 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 X 1 3 2 2 X
Toxic substances 6.1 2 2 X X X X X X 1 X 1 1 X 1 X X X
Infec ous substances 6.2 4 4 4 4 2 2 3 3 3 2 3 3 1 X 3 3 X
Radioac ve material 7 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 X 3 X 2 X
Corrosive substances 8 4 2 2 1 X X X 1 1 1 2 2 X 3 2 X X
Miscellaneous dangerous 9
substances and ar cles X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

The numbers and symbols in the table have the following meanings:
1 – “away from”
2 – “separated from”
3 – “separated by a complete compartment or hold from”
4 – “separated longitudinally by an intervening complete compartment or hold from”
X – the Dangerous Goods List has to be consulted to verify whether there are specific segrega on provisions
Segrega on for dangerous goods carried in packaged form:
This is given in the form of a table.
Sta ng type of segrega on required between classes of cargo, excluding class 1, which has altogether separate table.
The terms used for segrega on are:

Legend
Reference package. . . . . . . . . .
Package containing incompa ble goods . . .
Deck resistant to fire and liquid. .
Note: Ver cal lines represent transverse water ght bulkheads between cargo spaces.

NOTE:
 For containers the table is the same as above but the meaning of the above segrega on terms is different.
 For hatch coverless type container vessel, the table is again the same but the meanings of the above
segrega on terms are different.
 There is a separate table for ro-ro vessel.
 Separate table for segrega on between cargo in bulk and cargo in packaged form.
 Segrega on table for class 1 cargo which is by compa bility codes. Which are A to L, N and S.
Two closed containers requiring segrega on “separated from” each other
when loading ver cally or horizontally they need to be segregated as shown

DG Manifest
Each ship carrying dangerous goods and marine pollutants shall have a special list or manifest se ng out, in
accordance with regula on 4.5 of chapter VII of SOLAS 1974, as amended, and with regula on 4(3) of Annex Ill of
MARPOL 73/78, the dangerous goods and marine pollutants and the loca on thereof. A detailed stowage plan, which
iden fies by class and sets out the loca on of all dangerous goods and marine pollutants, may be used in place of
such a special list or manifest. It contains the following:
• UN Number, Proper Shipping Name, Class and Packing Group
• Addi onally, it may contain the total quan ty of DG and marine pollutants, limited quan es, salvage packaging,
substances stabilised by temperature control and viscous substances. A copy of one of these documents shall be
made available before departure to the person or organiza on designated by the port State Authority

UN Number
UN number is a four-digit number assigned to a dangerous goods substance according to the hazard classifica on
and the composi on. Single entries are for well-defined substances or ar cles like acetone, ethyl nitrite solu on etc.
Generic entries are for well-defined groups of substances or ar cles like adhesives, perfumes etc.
Specific NOS entries cover a group of substances or ar cles of a par cular chemical or technical nature nitrates,
alcohols etc. General NOS entries cover a group of substances mee ng criteria of one or more classes of flammable
solids, liquids etc. Two substances of the same name but different physical or chemical proper es will have different
UN numbers Eg: Titanium Dry and Titanium We ed.
Subsidiary Risk
A substance may have one or more risks whereby one is classified as primary and the other is classified as subsidiary
risk. The subsidiary risk label is displayed next to the primary risk label. Primary and subsidiary risk labels are set at
an angle of 45 degrees (diamond shaped) and measure 100 mm by 100 mm. Placards are 250 mm by 250 mm also
set at an angle of 45 degrees.

In case a substance possesses both primary and subsidiary hazard, precedence is decided in the following manner:
 Substances and ar cles of class 1
 Gases of class 2
 Liquid desensi zed explosives of class 3
 Self-reac ve substances and solid desensi zed explosives of class 4.1
 Pyrophoric substances of class 4.2
 Substances of class 5.2
 Substances of class 6.1 with Packing Group 1
 Substances of class 6.2
 Materials of class 7.
Between classes 3, 4, 5 and 6 the precedence of hazards is as per a table based with class and packing group based
on their dermal, oral and inhala on hazards.

Procedures to be adopted and precau ons to be taken while loading explosives.

The greatest risk in the handling and transport of DG of class 1 is that of fire from an external source. It is essen al
that fire precau ons, fire-figh ng measures and equipment are of a high standard and ready for immediate use.

Compartments containing goods of class 1 and adjacent spaces should be provided with a fire detec on system. If
the spaces are not protected then they should be accessible for the fire figh ng opera ons.

No repair work should be carried out in a compartment containing goods of class 1. No welding, cu ng opera ons
involving the use of fire, flame, spark, or arc-producing equipment should be carried out in any space other than
machinery spaces and workshops where the FFA is available and with prior permission of the Port Authority.

AII compartments or holds or CTU’s shall be locked to prevent unauthorized access. All cargo handlers should be
briefed of the poten al risks and necessary precau ons prior handling DG of class1.

With reference to the IMDG Code, what all informa on are provided in Part 3 of the Code.
What are the precau ons you will take during your cargo watch when loading cargo?

IMDG PART 3 – VOLUME 2

1. Dangerous Goods List (DGL), Special Provisions & Excep ons

- Dangerous Goods List (3.2)
- Special Provisions applicable to certain substances, materials or ar cles (3.3)
- Segrega on Groups – 1 to 18 groups, like Acids, Bromates, Chlorates etc
- DGL with UN No.
- Special Provisions as per column no. 6
- Notes related to Limited Quan ty (3.4)
- Notes related to Excepted Quan ty (3.5)

2. Appendices
- Appendix A – list of generic and N.O.S (not Otherwise Specified) proper shipping names
- Appendix B – Glossary of Terms

3. Index
- Alphabe cal Index of all Dangerous Goods as per the Alphabe cal Order Name
 - The OOW should be familiar with the layout of the code and supplement to enable extract informa on
relevant to the cargo quickly. Addi onally, he may refer to the accompanying documents like MSDS sheets to
know the exact nature of the cargoes.
- DG should be loaded and discharged only under the supervision of the OOW. He should ensure that they are
clearly marked with the appropriate class and UN number and iden fied by the proper shipping name. The
DG should be stowed as per the pre-loading plan given agreed between the C/0 and central planner and
ensure that the planned segrega ons are made.
- He must report discrepancies immediately to the C/O.
- He must ensure the vessel fly’s flag 'B' by day and exhibits an all-round red light at night when carrying,
loading or discharging dangerous goods.
- If the contents of any package containing dangerous goods are spilled then the OOW should inform C/O and
take measures to contain the spill as per the guidance in the spillage schedule.
- If the chemical is poisonous or giving off toxic fumes, then crew should not be allowed near the spill unless
they are wearing appropriate protec ve clothing and respirators etc.

Limited Quan es and Excepted Quan es

Selected dangerous goods packed in small quan es (limited quan ty) or very small volumes (excepted quan ty)
pose a lesser risk in transport than do the same goods packed in larger volumes. Thus they qualify for some relief
from robust packaging requirements provided that they are packed and marked properly. This could save
considerable packaging costs.

Defini on of Limited Quan ty and Excepted Quan ty and How to Find Them

The limited quan ty is the maximum quan ty per inner packaging or ar cle for transpor ng dangerous goods as
limited quan es. It can be found in the column 7a of Dangerous Goods List. In the example below, the limited
quan ty for an mony compounds is 5kg per inner packaging.

The excepted quan ty is the maximum quan ty per inner and outer packaging for transpor ng dangerous goods as
excepted quan es. The quan ty limit can be found in the column 7b of the Dangerous Goods List. 7b does not
directly list the max quan ty per inner and outer packaging. Instead, 7b gives various E codes (E0~E5). By refering to
the table below, you can find out allowed excepted quan ty.
Limited Quan es and Excepted Quan es Marking

Note: Some na onal regula ons do not contain limited quan ty and excepted quan ty provisions