International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code published by International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a mandatory instrument under The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS) and The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL).
The carriage of dangerous goods is prohibited except in accordance with the relevant provisions of chapter VII of SOLAS Convention and Regulation 1(2) of MARPOL Convention prohibits the carriage of harmful substances in ships except in accordance with the provisions of Annex III. These provisions are amplified in IMDG Code.
Regulation 1(3) of Chapter VII SOLAS states “Packaged form means the form of containment specified in the IMDG Code.” Further Regulation 1.1.2 of Annex III of MARPOL states “For the purposes of this Annex, “packaged form” is defined as the forms of containment specified for harmful substances in the IMDG Code.”
Above makes it a legal requirement for shippers to use only those packages authorized by IMDG Code for transporting Dangerous Goods and Harmful Substance by sea.
The rationale behind the packing instructions assigned to dangerous goods in IMDG Code varies from nature of hazard each goods pose and general hazard as per the common properties of dangerous goods.
Packing instructions are addressing the shipper or the person who prepares the package for dangerous goods transport and these instructions consist of (i) general instructions, (ii) specific instructions for particular hazards (iii) and for specialized dangerous goods.
General instructions consist of
- packagings in accordance with part 6.1 of IMDG Code,
- Pressure receptacles in accordance with part 6.2 of IMDG Code, packagings not subject to the provisions of parts 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.5 or 6.6 of IMDG Code,
- Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC) in accordance with part 6.5 of IMDG Code
- Large packagings in accordance with part 6.6 of IMDG Code
More specific instructions are based on certain general properties of dangerous goods.
Examples of General and Specific Packing instructions
- P001 – Liquids
- P002 – Solids
- P003 – Articles
- P004 – FUEL CELL CARTRIDGES
Class 1 Explosives – P100 series
Explosives may differ in classification if packages are changed. Which means classification of explosives takes into consideration how it is packed. Hence packing also takes into consideration the robustness in handling rather than their appropriateness in transport
Class 2 Gases – P200 series
- P200 – Compressed, Liquefied & Dissolved Gases and certain low boiling point substances not in Class 2
- P201 – Gas Sample – Non Pressurized
- P203 – Refrigerated Liquefied Gases
- P205 – Hydrogen in Metal Hydride Storage System
- P206 – Chemical Under Pressure
- P207 – Aerosols
- P208 – Adsorbed gases
Class 3 – P300 series
- P300 – Nitroglycerin Solution In Alcohol
- P301 – Aircraft Hydraulic Power Unit Fuel Tank
- P302 – Polyester Resin Kit
Class 4 – P400 series
- P400 – Certain Class 4.2 substances
- P401 – Certain Class 4.3 substances
Similarly, P402 to P411 is assigned to certain substances under Class 4
Class 5 – P500 series
- P500 – Oxygen Generator, Chemical
- P501 – Hydrogen Peroxide, Stabilized
- P502 – Perchloric Acid
- P520 – Organic Peroxides and Self-reactive substances under class 4.1
Class 6 – P600 series
- P600 – Tear gas candles and toxic ammunitions
- P601 – Certain highly toxic substances
- P620, P621, P622, P650 – Infectious Substances
Class 7
No packing instructions are assigned. See IMDG Code 4.1.9 Special packing provisions for radioactive material.
Class 8
- P800 – Gallium and Mercury
- P801 – Batteries
- P802 – Highly corrosive substances
- P803 – Bombs, Smoke, Non-Explosive
- P804 – Bromine
Class 9 – P900 Series
- P900 – Fishmeal
- P901 – Chemical or First Aid Kit
- P902 – SAFETY DEVICES, Electrically Initiated (Airbags/Seatbelts)
- P903 – Lithium Batteries
- P904 – Genetically Modified Microorganisms
- P905 – Life-Saving Appliances, Self-Inflating/ Not Self-Inflating
- P906 – Polychlorinated Biphenyls
- P907 – DANGEROUS GOODS IN ARTICLES or MACHINERY or APPARATUS
- P908 – Lithium Batteries
- P909 – Lithium Batteries transported for disposal or recycling
- P910 – Lithium Batteries prototypes transported for testing
- P911 – Lithium Batteries – damaged or defective cells and batteries
It is imperative that shippers look into the IMDG Code in force for packing of dangerous goods and adhere strictly to the type of packages authorized and quantity limitations in respective packing instructions.
Any noncompliance to packaging may result in accidents jeopardizing lives at sea.
This article was last updated on 28th October 2020.