Navigating the Risks: Safely Shipping Dangerous Goods on Vessels

First Things First: When are Goods "Dangerous"?

Obviously, not all cargo is classified as dangerous – in fact, not even all chemical commodities are. For a good to be dangerous it has to pose a potential risk to human health and safety, the infrastructure or transportation mode. For the classification of dangerous goods, the UN Model Regulations have identified 9 different classes depending on the danger of the good.

Dangerous goods are categorized into nine distinct classes based on their primary hazard. These classes include explosives, gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidizing substances, toxic and infectious substances, radioactive materials, corrosives, and miscellaneous dangerous goods.

The 9 Key Classes of Dangerous Goods

• Class 1: Explosives - Substances or goods with explosive properties. Dynamite, fireworks, and ammunition are some examples for this DG class.
• Class 2: Gases - Flammable, non-flammable, and toxic gases. This class has a further specification as it’s divided into three sub-categories:
  • Class 2.1: Flammable gases (e.g., propane)
  • Class 2.2: Non-flammable, non-toxic gases like nitrogen
  • Class 2.3: Toxic gases such as chlorine
• Class 3: Flammable Liquids – this entails liquids that can easily ignite as well as a mixture of liquids, or liquids containing solids that can easily ignite. Gasoline, diesel fuel, and many solvents are classified as flammable liquids, also paint, adhesives, alcohol and perfumery products might be dangerous.  

• Class 4: Flammable Solids – apart from liquids, some solid goods are also flammable, for example through friction. Solids that can easily ignite include matches under class 4.1 that obviously ignite when struck. Other examples are charcoal under class 4.2 (Self-reactive substances) and magnesium which also tends to emit flammable gases when exposed to water (class 4.3).
• Class 5: Oxidizing Substances (class 5.1) and Organic Peroxides (class 5.2) are defined as materials that can cause or contribute to combustion and organic peroxides that are thermally unstable. Examples: Hydrogen peroxide, ammonium nitrate.
• Class 6: Toxic (Class 6.1) and Infectious Substances (Class 6.2) - All commodities that can cause harm, serious injury, or even death if swallowed, inhaled, or contacted through skin. Commodities found in class 6 are for example pesticides, medical waste, and poisons. Class 6.2 is not carried by Hapag-Lloyd.

• Class 7: Radioactive Material - Materials containing radionuclides where both activity concentration and total activity exceed specified values. Apart from the obvious uranium or plutonium some medical isotopes used in X-Ray technology are also classified as radioactive material.
• Class 8: Corrosives - Substances that can cause severe damage when in contact with living tissue or can damage other cargo or the vessel itself. This includes sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid or formaldehyde and battery fluids.
• Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods - Hazardous substances that don't fit into the other classifications but still present dangers during transport, for example lithium batteries or asbestos, but also many environmentally hazardous substances.

The Regulatory Landscape: Setting a Standard

Transporting dangerous goods isn’t just about ticking boxes and knowing in which class they fall. It’s mainly about safety for the crew, the cargo, and the environment. Dangerous goods transport by sea is governed by international conventions and codes that establish binding requirements. Let’s take a look at the most common regulations.

The IMDG Code

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, mandatory under the SOLAS Convention, enhances the safe carriage of dangerous goods, facilitates their free movement, and prevents pollution. Carriers, shippers, and ports alike follow the IMDG Code to have a common and standardized regulation to keep things safe.

SOLAS Convention

SOLAS stands for Safety of Life at Sea. The main objective of this convention is to specify standards for the construction, equipment and operation of ships in terms of safety. It is – as mentioned above –  incorporating the IMDG Code.

MARPOL Convention

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) includes mandatory provisions for preventing pollution by harmful substances transported across the oceans. It was amended in 1992 to also reflect the classification of harmful or dangerous goods according to the IMDG Code.

These three conventions set a global standard and are the baseline for transporting dangerous goods. But as we’re looking a global trade across borders, there are also local and regional regulations that matter in the transportation of dangerous goods and can impose additional requirements or even restrictions.

Apart from specific regional or national regulations it can also be the case that certain modal dependent regulations apply. Different transportation modes have specific regulations, such as the European ADR/RID/ADNR Conventions for road transport by road, rail and inland waterways and the ICAO/IATA DGR for air freight. These regulations are similar to what the IMDG is for sea freight and have to be kept in mind when shipping intermodally.

How to Keep DG Shipments Safe

The IMDG Code specifies that dangerous goods must be contained in appropriate packaging. Clear identification of hazards is essential, including standardized hazard warning labels, markings, and documentation detailing the nature of the materials that not only warn about hazardous contents but also indicate the respective classification. This must also be clearly visible on the packaging and the used container. All of these things are also specified in the Dangerous Goods Declaration. Without this declaration, the cargo cannot be shipped.

Another important aspect of transporting dangerous goods is the specific location and safe stowage on the vessel. Considering
factors such as accessibility for emergency response and protection from heat sources, there are clear rules for every vessel where dangerous goods are allowed to be stowed. The IMDG Code also gives clear guidance how safe shipplanning has to be done. Some commodities must not be exposed to sunlight or may not be stowed next to other dangerous goods to keep hazard risks at bay. At Hapag-Lloyd, no dangerous goods are stowed near to the accommodation or next to safety equipment like life rafts.

A vessel-specific stowage plan helps the crew to determine where the respective dangerous goods are located and also provides them with the necessary information for safe handling and how to act in cases of emergency.

Container Preparation and Markings for Dangerous Goods

With a proper hazard labeling and the correct segregation most container types are suitable for dangerous goods transportation. Most importantly, the container has to meet the Container Safety Convention (short: CSC) and clearly labeled with the UN number, hazard labels, handling labels and marine pollutant markings.

It is also very important that the containers are free of residue from previous shipment. In cases of goods that might release fumes or gases, either a proper ventilation system must be in place or the container has to be sealed.

Conclusion

Shipping dangerous goods may seem complex, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right knowledge and reliable partners, you can make sure your cargo gets to its destination safely — and by the book.

Looking to ship dangerous goods? You can find all about our dangerous goods services on our website.