International Maritime International Maritime
Dangerous Goods Solid Bulk Cargoes
(IMDG) Code (IMSBC) Code
IMO creates Conventions (treaties) and Codes (technical standards)
IMDG & IMSBC draws power from IMO Solas
Convention
Topic 1:
Cargo Handling and Safety
International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
and the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes
(IMSBC) Code and other relevant regulations
Course Outcomes:
CO1. Differentiate the procedures of cargo operations
such as loading, stowage care during the voyage, and
the unloading of dangerous cargoes in accordance with
the cargo plan or other documents based on established
procedures, safety rules, regulations
LO1.1 Classify dangerous goods into their respective
IMDG Classes or IMSBC Groups by analyzing their
physical and chemical properties.
International Maritime
Dangerous Goods
(IMDG) Code
It is about:
HAZARD inside a PACKAGE
and
SEPARATION of
incompatible packages
9 Classes of IMDG Code
Class 1: Explosives (Properties:
Mass explosion hazard,
projection hazard- fragments of
objects).
Class 1: Explosives
Property: Chemical instability capable of extremely rapid
reaction (detonation/deflagration) producing gas and heat.
The 6 Divisions:
1.1 = Everything goes boom.
1.2 = Sharpnel flies everywhere.
1.3 = Intense Fire.
1.4 = Safe (mostly).
1.5 & 1.6 = Hard to trigger.
9 Classes of IMDG Code
Class 2: Gases (Properties:
Flammable, compressed,
toxic).
Class 2: Gases
Property: Molecules under pressure or refrigerated.
2.1 Flammable: Gas that burns (e.g., Propane).
2.2 Non-Flammable/Non-Toxic: Risk of asphyxiation
(displacing oxygen) or pressure explosion (e.g.,
Nitrogen).
2.3 Toxic: Poisonous if inhaled (e.g., Ammonia).
9 Classes of IMDG Code
Class 3: Flammable Liquids
(Properties: Low flashpoint,
volatile).
Class 3: Flammable Liquids
Property: Liquids based on Flashpoint and Initial
Boiling Point.
Examples: Petrol (Low flashpoint), Diesel (Higher
flashpoint).
Class 3: Flammable Liquids
Low Flashpoint means the liquid is
releasing explosive vapors, even in
cold weather. All it needs is a tiny
spark to explode.
9 Classes of IMDG Code
Class 4: Flammable Solids
(Properties: Self-reactive,
spontaneously combustible,
dangerous when wet).
Class 4: Flammable Solids
4.1 Flammable Solids: Burn easily from friction or heat
(e.g., Sulfur).
4.2 Spontaneous Combustion:
Property: Self-heating. Reacts with oxygen in the air to
generate its own heat (e.g., Copra, Cotton, Fishmeal).
4.3 Dangerous when Wet: Property: Reacts with water
to create flammable gas (e.g., Aluminum Phosphide).
Class 4: Flammable Solids (The
"Reactive" Solids)
High Flashpoint means the liquid is
"lazy". You have to heat it up
significantly before it releases enough
vapor to catch fire.
9 Classes of IMDG Code
Class 5: Oxidizing Substances
(Properties: Yields oxygen to
stimulate combustion).
Class 5: Oxidizers & Peroxides
Property: They do not burn themselves; they
supply oxygen to a fire.
5.1 Oxidizers: Fertilizer (Ammonium Nitrate). Hard
to extinguish because smothering it doesn't work (it
has its own oxygen).
5.2 Organic Peroxides: Thermally unstable; can
explode if they get too warm.
9 Classes of IMDG Code
Class 6: Toxic & Infectious
Substances
(Properties: Poisonous or
contains pathogens).
Class 6: Toxic & Infectious
Property: Biological or Chemical interaction with
the human body.
6.1 Toxic: Arsenic, Cyanide.
6.2 Infectious: Virus cultures, medical waste.
9 Classes of IMDG Code
Class 7: Radioactive Material
(Properties: Emits radiation).
Class 7: Radioactive
Property: Emission of ionizing radiation (Alpha,
Beta, Gamma rays).
Labeling: Category I (White), II (Yellow), III (Yellow)
based on radiation level at the package surface.
9 Classes of IMDG Code
Class 8: Corrosives
(Properties: Damages living
tissue or ship structure).
Class 8: Corrosives
Property: Chemical destruction of materials.
Acids (low pH): Sulfuric acid.
Alkalis (high pH): Caustic soda.
Note: Emphasize that these can dissolve the ship's
steel deck if spilled.
9 Classes of IMDG Code
Class 9: Miscellaneous
(Properties: Environmental
hazards, marine pollutants)
These are materials that present a danger
not covered by the other classes (1-8), but
they are still hazardous to the ship, the
crew, or the marine environment.
Class 9: Miscellaneous
Property: Hazards not covered elsewhere.
Examples: Lithium Batteries (thermal runaway),
Asbestos (inhalation), Environmentally Hazardous
Substances (Marine Pollutants).
International Maritime Solid Bulk
Cargoes
(IMSBC) Code
It is about preventing the cargo:
from shifting (Liquefaction)
from reacting (Self-heating).
The IMSBC Code classifies cargoes into 3
Groups based on physical/chemical behavior:
Group A Liquefaction Hazard
Liquefaction is a phenomenon where a granular solid
bulk cargo (like soil, ore fines, or mineral concentrates)
suddenly loses its strength and behaves like a liquid
(fluid).
Moisture + Vibration = Liquefaction
The Setup (Moisture): The cargo (e.g.,
Nickel Ore) has water trapped between its
particles but appears solid.
The Trigger (Vibration): Ship engine
vibration and rolling compact the cargo
load.
The Reaction (Pressure): This
compaction increases water pressure,
forcing the particles apart.
The Result (Fluidity): Friction is lost. The
particles "float" in the water, turning the
solid pile into a fluid sludge that shifts
uncontrollably.
The IMSBC Code classifies cargoes into 3
Groups based on physical/chemical behavior:
Group B (Chemical Hazards)
Group B includes MHB (Materials Hazardous only in
Bulk). These cargoes (like Wood Pellets) often look safe
and carry no "label," but in a closed hold, they can kill
silently by depleting oxygen.
Chemical Property + Environment = Reaction
The Cargo: The material has intrinsic
chemical instability (e.g., Coal, Seed
Cake, Fertilizer) or is reactive to its
surroundings.
The Trigger: Interaction with Air (Oxygen),
Water (Humidity), or Heat over time.
The Reaction:
Oxidation: The cargo absorbs oxygen
and generates heat (Self-heating).
Hydrolysis: The cargo reacts with
moisture to release toxic or flammable
gas.
Chemical Property + Environment = Reaction
The Result:
Fire/Explosion: The
cargo heats up and burns
spontaneously.
Asphyxiation: The cargo
consumes the oxygen in
the hold (Oxygen
Depletion).
Toxicity: Crew members
die from inhaling invisible
gases (e.g., Carbon
Monoxide).
The IMSBC Code classifies cargoes into 3
Groups based on physical/chemical behavior:
Group C (Non-Hazardous)
Group C means the cargo has no intrinsic bad habits. It
won't burn, explode, or melt. But it is still a massive pile of
heavy rock, so you must load it evenly and trim it flat
Inert Material + Stability = Safety
The Cargo: Materials defined as neither liable to liquefy
(Group A) nor chemically hazardous (Group B).
Examples: Limestone, Iron Ore Pellets, Cement
Clinkers, Sand.
The Behavior: They are chemically inert (do not react)
and physically stable (do not flow like water).
The Requirement: They do not require TML certificates
(moisture limits) or special fire-fighting equipment.
Inert Material + Stability = Safety
The Cargo: Materials defined as neither liable
to liquefy (Group A) nor chemically hazardous
(Group B).
Examples: Limestone, Iron Ore Pellets,
Cement Clinkers, Sand.
The Behavior: They are chemically inert (do not
react) and physically stable (do not flow like
water).
The Requirement: They do not require TML
certificates (moisture limits) or special fire-
fighting equipment.
The Result: Standard carriage. The focus is
purely on loading them evenly.
Conclusion:
When you see a substance, ask yourself one question:
'Is it contained (Packaged), or is it loose (Bulk)’?
Under IMDG (Packaged): The safety system is Visual. If
you see the label, you know the risk immediately.
Under IMSBC (Bulk):
The safety system is Administrative. There are no
stickers on a pile of coal. You must read the Shipper’s
Declaration to know if that 'safe-looking' pile is actually
sucking the oxygen out of the hold or heating up to start a
fire.
If you can count it (1 drum,
Things to 20 containers), use IMDG.
Remember
If you measure it in tons
and it fills the shape of the
hold, use IMSBC.
Conclusion:
“Correct Code selection is a legal obligation,
not a procedural choice, and failure to
question cargo declarations directly
endangers the ship.”
Thank you