IMDG

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code was developed as a uniform
international code for the transport of dangerous goods by sea covering such matters as
packing, container traffic and stowage, with particular reference to the segregation of
incompatible substances.
The development of the IMDG Code dates back to the 1960 Safety of Life at Sea
Conference, which recommended that Governments should adopt a uniform international code
for the transport of dangerous goods by sea to supplement the regulations contained in the
1960 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

The objective of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code is to:
Enhance the safe transport of dangerous goods
Protect the marine environment
Facilitate the free unrestricted movement of dangerous goods

The implementation of the Code is mandatory in conjunction with the obligations of the
members of united nation government under the International Convention for the Safety of Life
at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
(MARPOL 73/78).
It is intended for use not only by the mariner but also by all those involved in industries and
services connected with shipping.

To supplement the principles laid down in the SOLAS and MARPOL Conventions, the IMO
developed the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

The IMDG code contains detailed technical specifications to enable dangerous goods to be
transported safely by sea.

The IMDG Code became mandatory for adoption by SOLAS signatory states from 1st January
2004.
The IMDG Code is based on an internationally agreed system which:

 Groups dangerous goods together based on the hazards they present in transport
(classification).
 Contains the dangerous goods in packagings/tanks which are of appropriate strength
and which will prevent the goods escaping.

 Uses hazard warning labels and other identifying marks to identify dangerous goods in
transport.
 Requires standard documentation to be provided when dangerous goods are being
transported.
 Lays down principles for ensuring that dangerous goods which will react dangerously
together are kept apart.
 Lays down principles for where to place dangerous goods on board ship to ensure safe
transport.
 Provides emergency response advice for dangerous goods involved in a fire or spillage
on board ship.

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.

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.

The Code also contains a Supplement.

The Dangerous Goods List (DGL) is the central core of the IMDG Code and presents information on
transport requirements in a coded form

 The Supplement contains the following texts related to the Code:

 Emergency response procedures for ships carrying dangerous goods

 Medical first aid guide

 Reporting procedures

 IMO/ILO/ECE guidelines for packing cargo transport units

 Safe use of pesticides in ships

 International code for the carriage of packaged irradiated nuclear fuel, plutonium and high-level
radioactive wastes on board ships

The purpose of the IMDG Code‘s classification system is:

 To distinguish between goods which are considered to be dangerous for transport and those which
are 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 risk to persons or property (both within the port and on the ship)

The IMDG Code also contains…

Clearly defined recommendations for the training of all staff who handle or process dangerous goods
shipments for transportation by sea. The full training requirements can be found in the IMDG Code
Volume 1, Chapter 1.3

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, for example:

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.
The 9 classes:

Class 1 Explosives

Class 2 Gases

Class 3 Flammable liquids

Class 4 Flammable solids

Class 5 Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides

Class 6 Toxic and infectious substances

Class 7 Radioactive material

Class 8 Corrosive substances

Class 9 Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

These 9 hazard classes have been established internationally by a United Nations (UN) committee to
ensure that all modes of transport (road, rail, air and sea) classify dangerous goods in the same way.

Class 1:Explosives

Subclass 1.1: Explosives with a mass explosion hazard

Consists of explosives that have a mass explosion hazard. A mass explosion is one
which affects almost the entire load instantaneously.

Subclass 1.2: Explosives with a severe projection hazard

Consists of explosives that have a projection hazard but not a mass

explosion hazard.

Subclass 1.3: Explosives with a fire

Consists of explosives that have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a
minor projection hazard or both but not a mass explosion hazard.
Subclass 1.4: Minor fire or projection hazard

Consists of explosives that present a minor explosion hazard. The explosive

effects are largely confined to the package and no projection of fragments of
appreciable size or range is to be expected. An external fire must not cause
virtually instantaneous explosion of almost the entire contents of the package.

Subclass 1.5: An insensitive substance with a mass explosion hazard

Consists of very insensitive explosives with a mass explosion hazard (explosion

similar to 1.1). This division is comprised of substances which have a mass
explosion hazard but are so insensitive that there is very little probability of
initiation or of transition from burning to detonation under normal conditions
of transport.

Subclass 1.6: Extremely insensitive articles

Consists of extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosive

hazard. This division is comprised of articles which contain only extremely
insensitive detonating substances and which demonstrate a negligible
probability of accidental initiation or propagation.

Class 2 :Gases

Subclass 2.1: Flammable Gas

Gases which ignite on contact with an ignition source, such as acetylene and
hydrogen.

Flammable gas means any material which is ignitable at 101.3 kPa (14.7 psi)
when in a mixture of 13 percent or less by volume with air, or has a flammable
range at 101.3 kPa (14.7 psi) with air of at least 12 percent regardless of the
lower limit.

Subclass 2.2: Non-Flammable Gases

Gases which are neither flammable nor poisonous. Includes the cryogenic
gases/liquids (temperatures of below -100°C) used for cryopreservation and
rocket fuels.

This division includes compressed gas, liquefied gas, pressurized cryogenic gas,
compressed gas in solution, asphyxiant gas and oxidizing gas.
Subclass 2.3: Poisonous Gases

Gases liable to cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled.

Gas poisonous by inhalation means a material which is a gas at 20°C or less

and a pressure of 101.3 kPa (a material which has a boiling point of 20°C or less
at 101.3kPa (14.7 psi)) which is known to be so toxic to humans as to pose a
hazard to health during transportation.

Class 3:Flammable Liquids

A flammable liquid means a liquid which may catch fire easily or any mixture
having one or more components with any flash point. As example: acetone,
diesel, gasoline, kerosene, oil etc.

There are three main groups of flammable liquid.

 Low flash point - liquids with flash point below -18°C

 Intermediate flash point - liquids with flash point from -18°C. up to +23°C

 High flash point group - liquids with flash point from +23°C

Class 4:Flammable solids or substances

Subclass 4.1: Flammable solids

Solid substances that are easily ignited. Self-

reactive materials, which are thermally unstable
and that can undergo a strongly exothermic
decomposition even without participation of air.

Subclass 4.2: Spontaneously combustible solids

Solid substances that ignite spontaneously.

Spontaneously combustible material is a
pyrophoric material, which is a liquid or solid that
can ignite within five minutes after coming in
contact with air or a self-heating material that
when in contact with air and without an energy
supply is liable to self-heat.
Subclass 4.3: Dangerous when wet

Solid substances that emit a flammable gas when wet. Dangerous when wet
material is a material that when it makes contact with water is liable to become
spontaneously flammable or give off flammable or toxic gas at a rate greater than
1 L per kilogram of the material per hour.

Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides

Subclass 5.1: Oxidizing agent

Oxidizing agent means a material that may, generally by yielding oxygen, cause or
enhance the combustion of other materials.

Subclass 5.2: Organic peroxide oxidizing agent

Organic peroxide means any organic compound containing oxygen in the bivalent
structure and which may be considered a derivative of hydrogen peroxide, where one
or more of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by organic radicals.

Class 6:Toxic and infectious substances

Subclass 6.1: Poison

Toxic substances which are able to cause death or serious hazard to humans health
during transportation.

Subclass 6.2: Biohazard

Infectious Substance material is known to contain or suspected of containing a

pathogen. Infectious substances are substances which are known or are reasonably
expected to contain pathogens. Pathogens are defined as micro-organisms (including bacteria, viruses,
rickettsiae, parasites, fungi) and other agents such as prions, which can cause disease in humans or
animals.

Class 7:Radioactive substances

Radioactive

Radioactive substances comprise substances or a combination of substances which emit

ionizing radiation

Class 8:Corrosive substances

Corrosive

Corrosive materials means a liquid or solid that causes full thickness destruction of
human skin at the site of contact within a specified period of time. A liquid that has
a severe corrosion rate on steel or aluminum is also a corrosive material.

Class 9:Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

Miscellaneous

A material which presents a hazard during transportation but which does not meet
the definition of any other hazard class. This class includes: any material which has an
anesthetic, noxious or other similar property which could cause extreme annoyance
or discomfort to a flight crew member so as to prevent the correct performance of
assigned duties or material for an elevated temperature material, a hazardous
substance, a hazardous waste, or a marine pollutant.

EQUIREMENTS COMMON TO ALL TRANSPORT CODES

Marking, Labeling and Placarding of dangerous goods as required by the IMDG Code and DGs
in limited quantities

The following general procedures apply to all

modes of transport:
1. Classify the goods according to criteria specified in the relevant code or confirm the classification with
the manufacturer or importer of the goods.

2. Identify the Proper Shipping Name from the general index or alphabetical list of dangerous goods in
the appropriate code.

4. Check if the goods can be transported and if special conditions apply – some goods are prohibited
under all circumstances. Others may require different packaging or the code may only allow smaller
quantities. It may be necessary to comply with more than one modal code or domestic legislation.

5. Check if different items can be placed in the same packaging, cargo transport unit (CTU), or large
package (segregation). Segregations requirements can be significantly different between the different
transport modes.

6. Select the correct packaging based on the Packing Instruction or Class and Packing Group (when
applicable) if the code does not provide Packing Instructions.

Mark and label the goods in accordance with the appropriate code usually

 UN number or Proper Shipping Name,


 Class label and Subsidiary Risk label (if required),

 Packing Group (if applicable)

 plus any additional marks required by the code such as marine pollutant,
environmentally hazardous or elevated temperature marks


7. Provide a dangerous goods declaration

stating the UN number, Proper Shipping Name,
Class, the Packing Group where applicable and
the number and kind of packages.
Also provide flash point and Marine Pollutant if required. If not specifically required elsewhere on
the document, this information may be placed in the ‘additional information’ section.

8. Pack cargo transport units according to segregation requirements. Document container/vehicle

eg manifest (list goods) and provide a container/vehicle packing certificate.

9. Label Cargo Transport Unit with Class placards and UN number if required.

PACKAGING
Appropriate packaging is vital in safely transporting dangerous goods. The entire UN
Recommendations are based on the philosophy that securely contained dangerous goods pose
little, or acceptable risk, during transport.

Sea transport Maritime Rule states packaging must comply with the IMDG requirements.

The following organizations have delegated authority for the approval, inspection and testing of all
portable tanks, tank containers and freight containers:

American Bureau of Shipping

Bureau Veritas

Det Norske Veritas

Germanischer Lloyd

Lloyd’s Register of Shipping

MARKING AND LABELING

All codes have similar marking and labeling
requirements.

Labeling - specifically refers to Class label(s) and

Subsidiary Risk labels.

Marking - refers to the UN number (preceded by the

letters ‘UN’) and corresponding Proper Shipping Name eg
‘UN 2902 PESTICIDE, LIQUID, TOXIC, N.O.S. (contains 80% drazoxolon)’.

Marks - these include special marks such as the orientation, marine pollutant, environmentally
hazardous and elevated temperature marks.

SEGREGATION
The physical separation of incompatible goods helps safeguard against accidents by reducing the
probability of an adverse reaction between incompatible dangerous goods if containment is lost.

Stowage and segregation requirements for the different types of ships:

－ on deck only

－ on deck or under deck

－ away from

－ separated from

－ separated by a complete compartment or hold from

－ separated longitudinally by an intervening complete compartment or hold

Definitions of the segregation terms

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
metres, 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 metres 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 metres horizontally. The same distance has to be applied if one package is stowed on deck, and
the other one in an upper compartment.

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 metres longitudinally.

DOCUMENTATION
The following information requirement is common for all modes and should be included for each
dangerous substance, material or article:

1. UN number (preceded by the letters ‘UN’).

2. The Proper Shipping Name.

3. The goods’ Class or Division (when assigned). Substances and articles of Class 1 (explosives)
should be followed immediately by the compatibility group letter.

4. The Packing Group (if assigned).

5. Number and type of packages.

6. Total quantity of dangerous goods covered by the description (by volume, mass, or net explosive
content, as appropriate).