“Book it right & pack it tight”

New guidebooks to the IMDG Code operational rules for preparing

dangerous goods for carriage by sea
Book 1: Shippers & Forwarders

Book 2: Shipping lines and freight

booking agencies

Book 3: Consolidators –
managers and supervisors

Book 4: Fork lift operators

and cargo handlers
Subjects covered in this presentation

1. Purpose & content of the Guidebooks

2. Classification of dangerous goods
3. Documentation: compliance requirements
4. Packing certificates & other certification
5. Limited quantities
6. Segregation
7. IMDG Code training & security awareness
8. Taking and checking the cargo booking
9. Summary of topics covered
1 - Purpose & content of the Guidebooks
What is in the Guidebooks?

• Clear guidance on how to ensure that shippers

comply with the IMDG Code
• Explanation of legal duties
• Practical examples
• Sample documents
• Photographs
• Illustrations
Format of the guidebooks

The Guidebooks all have a Part A & Part B:

• Part A identifies the key operational duties – what you and

shippers must do and how to do it

• Part B is a common reference section explaining

requirements of the IMDG Code
What is the purpose of the Guidebooks?

1. To provide practical operational guidance to

the complex requirements of the IMDG Code

2. To provide a quick reference to the relevant

IMDG Code text
A fundamental question:
What are dangerous goods?

Answer: Substances or articles that may:

– kill or injure people

– damage ships or transport equipment
– damage cargo
– damage the environment (marine pollutants)
Are there rules for shipping
dangerous goods by sea?

YES – there are strict rules for shippers,

container packers and shipping lines

The rules are contained in the

International Maritime
Dangerous Goods Code
disatrer2002

.
Failure to comply with
dangerous goods rules causes
severe maritime incidents …….
.… and heavy losses
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code

Known as the IMDG Code

A complete instruction
manual for documentation,
packaging and carriage of
dangerous goods by sea
What is the IMDG Code?

• Two volumes & a Supplement (over 800 pages)

• Rules for every stage of the carriage of dangerous goods

by sea

• The international UN system for classification, listing,

documentation, packaging & packing of dangerous goods

• Specific legal duties for all parties that are enforced by

national legislation and the international SOLAS
Convention
Where does the IMDG Code come from?

• The IMDG Code is produced by the International

Maritime Organisation (IMO)

• The IMO is a United Nations agency

• The IMDG Code is based on the UN inter-modal

dangerous goods system and is used world-wide
Who has duties under the IMDG Code?

• Shipping line booking agents

• Shippers & forwarders
• Consolidators (supervisor/manager)
• Fork lift drivers/container packers
• Ships and shipping lines
Book 2: Shipping Lines & Freight Booking Agencies

Practical operational guidance on the knowledge

required by shipping lines and freight booking
agencies:

1. Classification &
identification
2. Documentation
3. Packaging & labelling
 References in this presentation

• References to sections in Guidebook 2 are

always shown in yellow at bottom left hand
corner: See Guidebook
Part B section 4

See IMDG Code 2.10

• References to text in the IMDG Code are shown
in blue:

See Guidebook
Part B section 4
The guidebook is your quick
guide to the IMDG Code

Your quick
reference to ….

…. the 800
pages of the
IMDG Code
How to use your guidebook

Identify the
operational
subject, and
see examples.
Use the IMDG
references
to ….

…. take you
directly to the
relevant text in
IMDG Code for
full details
Guidebook 2: IMDG Code knowledge
required for freight booking staff
.
1. Classification of dangerous goods

2. Documentation requirements

3. Packaging certificates

4. Segregation
2 - Classification of dangerous goods
What does “classification” mean?

• Classification is the shippers duty to describe his product and

its hazard according to the rules of the IMDG Code

e.g.
- UN Number
- Name of product
- Class and type of hazard(s)
- Degree of hazard (Packing Group)
- Description in terms used in the IMDG Code
Where can classification details be found?

In the the columns of the Dangerous Goods List

in Part 3 of the IMDG Code –
What is the Dangerous Goods List?

• A list containing an entry for all dangerous

goods (it takes up 169 pages of Volume 2 of the
IMDG Code)

• It is the first point of reference for all enquiries

about classification or technical details of a
substance or article
 Dangerous
Goods List
(diagrammatic display)

Each substance
entry has 18
columns of
classification &
other information

Substances are
listed under their
UN Number in
Column 1
Why do I need to understand classification?

If you accept dangerous

goods bookings on behalf
of a shipping line, you must
be able to check that the
classification details and
documents provided by the
shipper are correct
 Classification factors

There are a number of classification details shippers

must provide for each dangerous substance:

1. UN Number
2. Proper Shipping Name
3. Class
4. Plus a number of “conditional” details such as
degree of hazard (Packing Group), flashpoint,
marine pollutant etc, depending upon the substance
 UN hazard classification system

• The IMDG Code uses the UN intermodal system

to classify and identify dangerous goods

• Classification details for each substance are

listed in the columns of the Dangerous Goods
List

See Guidebook Part B See IMDG Code

sections 1-8, 11 Chapts 2.0 – 2.10
There are 9 hazard Classes

Class 1 - Explosives
Dangerous
Class 2 - Gases
goods are put into one
Class 3 - Flammable Liquids
of 9 categories, Class 4 - Flammable Solids
depending
Class 5 - Oxidising Substances
upon the type of Class 6 - Toxic Substances
hazard.
Class 7 - Radioactive Substances
These are called Class 8 - Corrosives
‘Classes’ Class 9 - Miscellaneous
Hazard classes are represented
by symbols: examples

CLASS 3
Flammable liquids are liquids that have a
flashpoint of below 60°C

CLASS 6.1
Toxic substances cause injury or death to humans by
inhalation, swallowing or skin contact

CLASS 8
Corrosive substances and their vapors destroy living
tissue on contact and can damage many other
materials
 Some classes are sub-divided into “divisions”

Class 2.1 – Flammable gas

Class 2.2 – Non-flammable non-toxic gas

Class 2.3 – Toxic gas

See IMDG Code 2.0 – 2.10 for full details of

the UN classification system

See Guidebook Part B Section 4 for an explanation

of all the classes and sub-divisions
 Multiple hazards (Sub-risks)

• Some substances have more than one hazard –

They have a main risk and a “sub-risk”
e.g. a substance classed as a flammable liquid
may also be toxic:

CARBON DISULPHIDE
Class 3 + Sub-risk of
class 6.1

See Guidebook
Part B section 5
 UN Number

• Every dangerous substance has a UN Number

• This is a unique number allocated by the UN

• The UN Number is used to locate the

dangerous substance entry in the numerical
IMDG Dangerous Goods List (IMDG Part 3)
eg UN 2023

See Guidebook
Part B section 6
All dangerous goods have a UN Number, Proper
Shipping Name, & Class
Example: ETHANOL

• UN Number – UN 1170

• Proper Shipping Name - ETHANOL

• Class - 3
 What name should the shipper
use for his dangerous goods?

• Every dangerous substance and article can also

be found listed in the alphabetical index of the
IMDG Dangerous Goods List under its Proper
Shipping Name

e.g. substance name: SULPHURIC ACID

e.g. article name: ROCKET MOTORS

See Guidebook
Part B section 7
Proper Shipping Names

• The Proper Shipping Name is the only name

internationally recognised by the United Nations
dangerous goods system

• You must ensure that the shipper uses only the

Proper Shipping Name from the Dangerous
Goods List on his documentation

• You should ensure that only the Proper

Shipping Name is submitted for the ship’s
dangerous cargo manifest
Proper Shipping Names for
mixtures & unlisted substances

• Mixtures of dangerous substances and

uncommon dangerous substances are not listed
in the Dangerous Goods List

• They are shipped under a name chosen from a

list of names that describe the generic hazard of
the substance or mixture –

Known as a “Not Otherwise Specified” (N.O.S.)

name
 How shippers choose an N.O.S
Proper Shipping Name

• A mixture is subjected to standard tests to

determine any hazardous characteristics

• If it is hazardous it is given a generic name and

UN Number that describes the hazard
eg FLAMMABLE LIQUID N.O.S. UN 1993

See Guidebook
Part B section 7
Completing N.O.S. names

• To complete an N.O.S. name the identity of the

dangerous substance(s) must be added in
brackets after the generic name e.g.

• UN 1993, FLAMMABLE LIQUID N.O.S.

(contains glycol and acetone)

• The IMDG Code has a list containing N.O.S.

generic names that cover all combinations of
class and sub-risk – consult the Guidebook &
IMDG Code Appendix A
 There are other classification
details that are not universal

• After UN Number, Proper Shipping Name and

Class, other “conditional” classification details
may apply to particular dangerous goods

• To find what details are required, refer to the

substance entry in the Dangerous Goods List

See Guidebook Part B

sections 5, 8, 10, 11,
14, 15, 16, 17 & 19
 Packing Groups: an indication of danger

• Some hazard classes also require a Packing

Group to indicate degree of hazard

• “Packing Group” is usually shortened to “PG”

• If a PG is required, it must be included on the

shipper’s declaration
PG I Great danger
PG II Medium danger
PG III Low danger
See Guidebook
Part B section 8
 Marine Pollutant

• These are substances that bio-accumulate in the

marine food chain or are highly destructive to the
marine environment

• Marine pollutants must be identified on documents

and by the marine pollutant mark (below) on
packages and cargo transport units

See Guidebook Part

B section 11
 Flashpoint

• The flashpoint must be provided only for:

– Class 3 substances (Flammable Liquids)
– Or any substance with a class 3 sub-risk

CLASS 3 - flammable liquids are liquids that

have a flashpoint of less than 60°C.

See Guidebook
Part B section 10
 Less common variable details

• There are other less common conditional classification details

that may be required eg:

– Solid or liquid
– Control & emergency temperature
– Radioactivity details
– Explosives details

• Refer to the substance entry in the Dangerous Goods List and

IMDG 5.4 to see what details may be requied

See Guidebook
Part B section 3.4
Reminder: How to find classification details

• All classification details are found in the various

columns of the Dangerous Goods List in Part 3.2
of the IMDG Code

• When taking bookings, check that all the

required classification details for the particular
substance or article have been provided by the
shipper
3 – Documentation: Compliance requirements
Details of the dangerous goods

• The shipper or his forwarder must provide the

line with full classification details at the initial
booking stage – usually on a shipping line
internal booking request form

• When the shipper despatches the goods, they

must be accompanied by a dangerous goods
declaration that complies with IMDG Code
requirements
Documentation:
Shipper’s dangerous
goods declaration &
packing certificate

This example of a
shipper’s declaration is
taken from page 20 of
Guidebook 2
Shipper’s dangerous goods declaration

All dangerous goods

consignments must
be accompanied by a
dangerous goods
declaration that shows
the classification details
that is signed by the
shipper
 Details required for the
dangerous goods declaration

• Shipper’s address
• Consignee’s address
• Ship & voyage details
• Classification & identification
• Packaging description
• Quantity
• Leading marks
• Shipper’s signature

See Guidebook Part

A sections 3 & 4
Shipper’s name & address

Consignee’s name & address

Voyage details

Number & type of packaging

Leading marks

Classification & identification

Container details

Packing certificate must be

completed and signed by the
container packer
 Classification details are vital

Details of the packaging, classification and substance

identification must all be entered on the declaration
See IMDG 5.4

See Guidebook Part

A sections 3 & 4
 Classification details
Proper Shipping name Mandatory
Class Mandatory
UN Number Mandatory
Sub-risk (conditional)
Packing Group (conditional)
Marine Pollutant (conditional)
Flashpoint (conditional)
Control & emergency
temperature (conditional)
Fumigation details (conditional)
Radiation details (Mandatory
for Class 7)
Explosives details (Mandatory
for Class 1)
Shipper’s declaration: This text
confirms that the shipper has
accurately described his
dangerous goods and they are
correctly classified, packaged
and labelled according to all
national and international
legislation.
This is a mandatory text from
the IMDG Code.

Net & gross quantity of

dangerous goods

This is where the document is

signed and dated by the
shipper
4 – Packing Certificates and other certification
 Packing certificate

Packing certificate
contains a statement
signed by the person
responsible for packing
the container that the
container and its load
meet all requirements of
the IMDG Code

See Guidebook
Part A section 6
Purpose of the packing certificate

• The packing certificate is a signed statement by

the person packing the container that goods are:

• correctly packaged, marked & labelled

• not damaged or leaking
• properly braced and secured for sea transport
• in a container that is in good condition, that is
correctly marked and placarded
• in compliance with all aspects of the IMDG Code
• accompanied by a shipper’s declaration that
accurately describes the goods
Reminder: Packing certificates

• All consignments of dangerous goods that are

packed in a freight container or a vehicle must
be accompanied by a packing certificate

• Consignments without packing certificates

should not be shipped
 Potential additional documentation

• Booking staff should recognise that

supplementary documents may be submitted or
required:

– Weathering certificate
– Exemption certificate
– Letter of indemnity
– Competent Authority Approval
– Container fumigation certificate

See Guidebook
Part A section 5
5 – Limited Quantities
Limited quantities

• Dangerous goods shipped as “limited quantities”

have fewer land and sea transport rules

• By sea the main concession is that limited

quantity goods do not require segregation from
other dangerous goods

• Another concession is that UN-certified

packaging is not required
Limited quantities

In principle limited quantities means shipping in

small receptacles protected by outer packaging
 Rules for limited quantities

• Packages: Maximum weight/capacity of the inner

receptacles is specified in column 7 of the Dangerous
Goods List for individual substance

• The shipper’s declaration must state “LIMITED

QUANTITIES”

• Packages must bear the limited quantities mark instead

of the normal label and marks

See Guidebook Part A

section 7 and Part B
section 9
 Aerosols UN 1950: special rules

• Aerosols are a commonly-shipped commodity that

often cause problems

• Usually shipped as Limited

Quantities

• Aerosols have special rules

for classification, documentation
and packaging

See Guidebook
Part B section 19
6 – Segregation
Segregation: Rules for
controlling mixed hazard loads

• ‘Mixed loading’ means loading different types of

dangerous goods together in the same container

• Mixed loading creates the possibility of dangerous

chemical reaction

• Mixed loading is prohibited unless permitted by the

IMDG Code segregation rules in IMDG section 7.2
 Be aware that different types of dangerous
goods may have to be packed into different
containers

The rules of segregation are complex - see

IMDG chapter 7.2

See also Guidebook See also Guidebook 3 (Consolidators) Part A

1 Part A section 9 section 12 for segregation in containers
Calculation and checking of
mixed load segregation

• You may be required to advise shippers or

packers on load segregation at the booking
stage, or check mixed hazard loads prior to
loading the ship

• To calculate segregation you will need all the

classification details from the shipper’s
declaration
Checking segregation

• When taking bookings for multi-hazard

consignments ensure that any segregation
requirement is identified to the shipper

• Inform shipper if IMDG Code rules prohibit co-

loading of a particular hazard combination offered
for shipment in the same container
Methods of checking segregation

Segregation checks can be carried out:

1. Manually using the IMDG rules in section 7.2 (This method

is explained in Guidebook 3 for Consolidators section 12)

2. Electronically using an in-house electronic system

supplied by the shipping line

3. Electronically using an independent commercial checking

system accessed via the internet such as HAZCHECK
7 – IMDG Code Training & Security Awareness
IMDG Code training

• The IMDG Code requires that staff processing

dangerous goods documentation and booking
cargo must be trained to understand the rules of
the IMDG Code

• Booking staff should be trained to provide

shippers and packers with dangerous goods
advice
 Check your IMDG Code training competency

The IMDG Code requires that employers train

their employees in both:

– general dangerous goods awareness

– specific jobs involving dangerous goods

Refer to the IMDG training schedule in section

1.3 of the IMDG Code to check the functions in
which you and your staff must be competent
See Guidebook
Part A section 1
 Security awareness

• Some dangerous goods can be used by terrorists

to create explosions, fires and toxic releases

• Ports can be strategic terrorist targets and high

levels of security are normal context

• All personnel should be aware of such hazards

and keep cargo and storage information
confidential (see IMDG chapt 1.4 security
provisions)
See Guidebook
Part A section 2
8 – Taking and checking the cargo booking
Checking dangerous goods bookings

• Shipping lines require classification details from

the shipper in advance to check acceptability and
segregation

• These will normally be requested on a

dangerous goods booking form

• Details on the shipper’s formal declaration should

be the same as on the advance booking –
CHECK!
9 – Summary of topics covered
What has been covered in this presentation

• This presentation has looked briefly at the

following key duties, found in Guidebook 2, that
should be familiar to booking staff.

• Greater detail on these and other topics will be

found in Guidebook 2 itself:
- Classification
- Documentation
- Certification
- Limited quantities
- Segregation
- IMDG Training
Topics covered in other guidebooks

• Guidebooks 1,3 & 4 in the series provide

detailed coverage of other topics including:

– Segregation in detail
– Unit loads
– Container packing, bracing & securing
– Causes of cargo damage
– Container marking and placarding
– Fumigation
– Packing certificates in detail
 Important Notice

The Guidebooks are a practical operational aid and

should be used alongside the IMDG Code

They are not a substitute for IMDG Code training –

employees should be trained as appropriate for their job
and responsibility

Technical issues should always be checked against the

legal text of the IMDG Code
 The end

This presentation is to introduce the “Book it

Right and Pack it Tight” guidebooks to a wide
audience and to promote understanding and
use of the IMDG Code. Please modify to your own
requirements