1. Responsibilities
2. Classification
3. Use of Packaging & IBCs
4. Marking & Labelling of Packages & IBCs
5. Use of Tanks & Bulk Containers
6. Packing of Cargo Transport Units – Segregation and Temperature control
7. Marking & Placarding of Cargo Transport Units
8. Dangerous Goods Declaration & Additional Documents
9. Shipboard operations – Stowage, Segregation and Emergency Response
10. Competent Authority Approvals and Exemptions
11. Training of Shoreside personnel
12. Training of Shipboard Officers and Crew

Starting now I will be publishing a series of articles explaining provisions of IMDG Code right from classification of dangerous goods till consignee unpacks the container. The first in this series is “responsibilities”.

International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code is the mandatory regulations for carriage of dangerous goods and harmful substances in packaged form.  The carriage of dangerous goods and harmful substances in packaged form is prohibited except in accordance with the provisions of Chapter VII Part A of SOLAS Convention and Annex III of MARPOL Convention.

Who is responsible for what in IMDG Code?

In certain parts of this Code, a particular action is prescribed, but the responsibility for carrying out the action is not specifically assigned to any particular person. Such responsibility may vary according to the laws and customs of different countries and the international conventions into which these countries have entered. For the purpose of this Code, it is not necessary to make this assignment, but only to identify the action itself. It remains the prerogative of each Government to assign this responsibility.

IMDG Code 39-18 1.1.1.4

Regulation 4.1 (documents) of Chapter VII Part A of SOLAS convention states “Transport information relating to the carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form and the container/vehicle packing certificate shall be in accordance with the relevant provisions of the IMDG Code and shall be made available to the person or organization designated by the port State authority.”

This is Dangerous Goods Declaration and Container Packing Certificate.

Certification of the shipper’s and packer’s declarations quoted below includes various responsibilities.

Shipper’s Declaration

“I hereby declare that the contents of this consignment are fully and accurately described above/below by the proper shipping name, and are classified, packaged, marked and labelled/placarded, and are in all respects in proper condition for transport according to applicable international and national government regulations.”

IMDG Code 39-18 5.4

Packer’s Declaration

“I hereby declare that the goods described above have been packed/loaded into the container/vehicle identified above in accordance with the applicable provisions.”

IMDG Code 39-18 5.4

As we take further steps through other provisions (points 2-12 above) they will contain more in detail about various responsibilities. Be compliant and stay tuned.