Dangerous goods stowage guidance- general cargo ships procedure

Dangerous goods stowage guidance- general cargo ships procedure

Most countries have enacted legislation for the safe carriage of Dangerous Goods, which are defined in SOLAS 1974 (Chapter VII, Part A) as "...the substances, materials and articles covered by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code". Legislation covers the classification, packaging, stowage (including permissible proximity and positioning) of Dangerous Goods during transport and storage.

To ensure full compliance during a particular voyage, the classification, packaging and stowage of Dangerous Goods must be in accordance with any legislation which may be enforced in the country or origin, the country of destination, any country which it enters while in transit and the country under whose flag the carrying vessel operates.

A number of high-profile incidents in recent years have high-lighted the problem of mis-declaration by shippers of dangerous goods in containers which have been loaded and subsequently gone on fire causing the loss of the ship and her cargo. One large container carrier has developed watchdog software to detect suspicious containers. In 2014 the carrier investigated over 160,000 suspicious declarations and discovered over 2,600 cases of incorrectly declared dangerous goods. It is not a small problem and one over which ships' officers have very little control but it is better to be aware of it than not.

The International Maritime Organisation and the IMDG Code

To meet the obligations of SOLAS, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) publishes the IMDG Code to provide an internationally recognised standard for the carriage of Dangerous Goods in ships. The code is based on the report of the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, which also forms the basis for legislation and recommendations for transport of Dangerous Goods by other modes, e.g. ADR, RID, IATA (road, rail and air). The IMDG Code attained mandatory status from 1 January 2004 under the umbrella of SOLAS 1974 and the current edition is that published in 2014. There has been a transition period relating to the implementation of Amendment 37-14 but that expires at the end of 2015 and from 1 January 2016 dangerous goods and marine pollutants in packaged form must be shipped in accordance with the IMDG Code 2014 edition which incorporates Amendment 37-14.

The Code forms the basis for the international movement of Dangerous Goods (with regard to classification, documentation and stowage), which is particularly important for shipping companies operating within international consortia. It is important to maintain a library of the organisation's publications for ready reference.

The IMDG Code 2014 consists of two volumes and a supplement.

Volume 1:
Part 1 General provisions, definitions and training.
Part 2 Classification.
Part 4 Packing and tank provisions.
Part 5 Consignment procedures.
Part 6 Construction and testing of packagings, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), large packagings, portable tanks, multiple-element gas containers (MEGCs) and road tank vehicles.
Part 7 Provisions concerning transport operations.

Volume 2:
Part 3 Dangerous Goods list, special provisions and exceptions.
Appendix A List of generic and N.O.S. proper shipping names.
Appendix B Glossary of terms.

Supplement:
A.Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods (The EmS Guide).
B. Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG).
C. Reporting procedures.
D.Recommendations on the safe use of pesticides in ships.
E. International Code for the Safe Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes on board Ships (INF Code).
F. Appendix: Resolutions and circulars relating to the IMDG Code and Supplement.

Classification

The IMDG Code recognises nine broad classes of Dangerous Goods. For the correct classification and labelling of Dangerous Goods reference should be made to the IMDG Code. The fact that a substance is not listed in the Code should not be taken as evidence that it is non-dangerous. It is the particular properties of each individual commodity which must be taken into account. The numerical order of the classes and divisions is not indicative of the degree of danger.

Class 1: Explosives
Division 1.1: substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard.
Division 1.2: substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard.
Division 1.3: substances and articles which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard.
Division 1.4: substances and articles which present no significant hazard.
Division 1.5: very insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard.
Division 1.6: extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard.

In addition to the IMDG Code, Class 1 substances are subject to stringent national legislation and port bye-laws.

Class 2: Gases
Class 2.1 flammable gases
Class 2.2 non-flammable, non-toxic
Class 2.3 gases toxic gases

Gases may be explosive, flammable, poisonous, or corrosive. Some gases may polymerise and must be stabilised and inhibited prior to shipment.

Class 3: Flammable liquids
Class 3.1: flammable liquids
Class 3.2: liquid desensitized explosives

The main danger associated with the carriage of these substances is the escape of flammable vapour which may also be toxic. Class 4: Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases.

Class 4.1 flammable solids and self-reactive substances
Class 4.2 pyrophoric solids and liquids and self-heating substances
Class 4.3 substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases Cargo in this class, where practical, should be monitored for any unexplained rise in temperature.

Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
Class 5.1: oxidizing substances
Class 5.2: organic peroxides

Cargo in this class should be stowed away from combustible material. Spontaneous combustion may occur and certain commodities may be carried under controlled temperature.

Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
Class 6.1: toxic substances
Class 6.2: infectious substances

These cargoes must be handled and stowed with care and with due regard to human health.

Class 7: Radioactive material
In addition to the IMDG Code requirements, some jurisdictions completely prohibit radioactive materials and transit through all way-ports, canals and national waters should be cleared before shipment.

Class 8: Corrosive substances
Spillage of these substances may damage other cargo and be injurious to human health.

Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles
These substances, although dangerous, have not been allocated to any other class.

sample IMDG code levels

Marine Pollutants

Many of the commodities assigned to classes 19 are marine pollutants and where identified as such, should carry the Marine Pollutant mark on the packaging.

Labelling

PackagesAll Dangerous Goods' packages offered for shipment must be correctly labelled (or stencilled) with the appropriate Dangerous Goods labels and show the Proper Shipping Name and U.N. No. as used in the shipping documents. The labels should indicate the principal hazard and if one or more secondary hazards exists, additional label(s) indicating that hazard (but with the numeral on the label deleted) should also be affixed. In addition it may also be necessary to fix labels as required by certain national regulations. Any discrepancy in correct labelling should be noted and rectified and the reason investigated.

ISO ContainersFour Dangerous Goods' class labels (placards) should be affixed to the container, one on each side and one on each end including one on the right hand door. The label on each side should be positioned so as to be clear of the container doors when opened and secured back. The label on the front end of the container should be positioned so as to be clear of the towing vehicle if possible. The Dangerous Goods' label affixed to the right hand door should be fully completed with the technical name(s) of the substances in the container together with the U.N. No. and number of packages as well as any other information considered useful. The label should be completed using a waterproof medium, e.g. a spirit pen.

All Dangerous Goods' labels should be removed from the container (or masked) as soon as the container can be considered non-hazardous.

Packaging

Packaging used for Dangerous Goods should be able to successfully withstand the tests prescribed in the appropriate section of Part 6 of the IMDG Code. While the performance tests should be applied to all new types and designs of packaging, satisfactory practical use may be accepted as equivalent evidence in existing types and designs.

Packages of all types should be properly closed with lids, bungs and other closures in place and tight. Although it is impossible to see the inner receptacle of the package, it should be ascertained that the outer one has not been damaged and that none of the absorbent packaging (if used) is missing. Any strong smells indicating a possible leakage should be carefully investigated and if the cause is not readily found, further advice should be sought. Stains on a package, particularly of recent origin, should be investigated.

Corrosion or pitting of steel or iron drums should be investigated if it appears active. Drums or other receptacles which are obviously secondhand and any which have recently been painted or sprayed should be inspected for corrosion, especially at welded or soldered joints. Dented drums, particularly if dented near the joints, rolling bands or spigots, should be carefully examined. If the dent occurs while packing the container or loading aboard the ship, the drum concerned should be set aside and loaded last, after careful examination to ascertain that no damage has been caused.

Wooden barrels (hogsheads, casks, etc.) are particularly susceptible to damage and should be carefully examined to see that the heads have not sprung. If stowed on end, the bung should be particularly well examined.

Damaged plywood, fibreboard cartons with plastic interiors, multiwall paper bags and sacks used for crystals and powder, with the attendant risk of leaking contents should not be loaded.

Cylinders and tanks of inflammable and/or poisonous gases should have the protective hoods for valves properly fitted. Any showing signs of damage should be refused for shipment. It is important that any leaking packages of Dangerous Goods are repaired, re-coopered, etc., by the manufacturer who will be skilled in the handling and packaging of their own particular commodity.

Documentation

The documentation at the time of booking must include the following, in the order shown, for each dangerous substance:

the U.N. No.;
the Proper Shipping Name as determined according to Chapter 3.1.2 of the IMDG Code;
the primary hazard class;
the subsidiary hazard class;
the packing group (where assigned).

Additionally, the following information must also be provided:

the flash point (if any);
the number and type of packages;
the quantity (by volume or mass as appropriate);
certification that the goods are acceptable for transport, properly packed, marked and labelled and in proper condition for transport (see IMDG Code Chapter 5.4.1.6.1 for full certification text).

A Dangerous Goods Container Packing certificate must be signed (where applicable) by the person responsible for packing a particular container on completion of stuffing (see IMDG Chapter 5.4.2 for full details).

Handling Precautions

Provided the correct procedures are followed and care is taken in the handling of Dangerous Goods the risk to personnel, the ship and the environment, is small. However, short cuts, rough handling of the goods and a careless attitude are a sure way to cause accidents.

Dangerous Goods must be correctly documented and handled from the time of booking until the time of final delivery.

All packages should be inspected for signs of damage, leakage, or any other unsatisfactory state liable to increase their hazard, prior to being stowed in the compartment or container. Packages must never be dropped or thrown down, and the use of hooks, bars, etc., should be kept to a minimum. Mechanical loading with fork lift trucks should be strictly controlled and rough handling avoided.

It is dangerous to take short cuts with safety regulations and all persons handling Dangerous Goods should be fully aware of the hazards involved.

Dangerous Goods' packages received in a wet condition or with frost or snow adhering, should be effectively dried before loading. They should not be loaded unless it is certain that the enclosures are intact and no moisture has entered the receptacle. This is vitally important in the cases of goods in Classes 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6, 8 and 9.

Packages which are provided with means of ventilation (e.g. certain of Class 5) should be kept upright during handling. On no account should such commodities be rolled in the handling and stowing operations.

Fibreboard kegs and plastic lined paper bags are frequently used for chemicals in powder or crystal form, often those which will taint other cargo. Some solids will liquefy or soften with a rise in temperature, increasing the risk of contamination by contact and allowing the tainting odours to be more readily released. Particular care should, therefore, be taken to see that such kegs and bags are not damaged during loading. The importance of rejecting any dangerous cargo accidentally damaged cannot be over-stressed. If, in the course of handling or stowing a compartment or container, any sign of leakage is noted, particular packages should be located and rejected if of a dangerous nature. Similarly, smells or fumes should be viewed with suspicion and odourless fumes which irritate the throat or eyes may indicate a leakage.

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