Tag: Cargo ship

To which types of ships IMDG Code is applicable

IMDG Code is applicable to any to ship which SOLAS 74, as amended, applies and are carrying dangerous goods. Dangerous Goods is defined in Regulation 1 of SOLAS Chapter VII Part A as the substances, materials and articles covered by the IMDG Code.

 Document of compliance with the special requirements for ships carrying dangerous goods as per the provisions of regulation II-2/19 of the SOLAS 1974, as amended is applicable to

 a)    Passenger ships and Cargo ships constructed on or after 1st July 2002

 b)   1. For passenger ships constructed on or after 1st Sept 1984 but before 1st July 2002

 2. a cargo ship of 500 gross tons or over constructed on or after 1st Sept 1984 but before 1st July 2002

 3. a cargo ships of less than 500 gross tons constructed on or after 1st Feb 1992 but before 1st July 2002

 the requirements of regulation II-2/54 of SOLAS 1974, as amended by MSC.1(XLV), MSC.6(48), MSC.13(57), MSC.22(59), MSC.24(60), MSC.27(61), MSC.31(63) and MSC.57(67), apply.

 Member governments to SOLAS Convention is recommended to apply, as far as possible, IMDG Code to cargo ships of less than 500 gross tons constructed on or after 1st Sept 1984 and before 1st Feb 1992.

 Any ship irrespective of size and type which carries substances, materials or articles identified as Marine Pollutants in IMDG Code are subject to the provisions of the said code.

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Sources of Ignition

For stowage purpose IMDG Code recommends away from “Sources of Ignition” for some classes or substances.

Sources of Ignition includes

  • Open fire
  • Machinery Exhausts and Galley Uptakes
  • Electrical Equipment and Electrical Outlets*
  • Reefers and Heated tanks#

* Certified safe type as per SOLAS II-2/19.3.2 excluded

# Explosion proof electrical fittings excluded

Above is not an exhaustive list.

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Stowage of UN 2211 POLYMERIC BEADS, EXPANDABLE & UN 3314 PLASTICS MOULDING COMPOUND

When UN 2211 and UN 3314 are loading on board vessels IMDG Code stowage instruction states

Shaded from radiant  heat and protected from sparks and open flame. When stowed under-deck, mechanical ventilation shall be in accordance with SOLAS regulation II-2/19 (II-2/54) for flammable liquids with flashpoint below 23°C (c.c).

These UN numbers are assigned with stowage category E, which means ON DECK or UNDER DECK on Cargo ships or passenger ships carrying a number of passengers limited to not more than 25 or to 1 passenger per 3 m of overall length, whichever is the greater number and prohibited on passenger ships in which the limiting number of passengers transported is exceeded

Though both UN 2211 and UN 3314 are assigned to class 9 for segregation purpose one must consider this as class 3 but separated from class 1 except 1.4S

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SOLAS Chapter II-2 & IMDG Code

SOLAS Chapter II-2 Regulation 19 is about Carriage of Dangerous Goods. The purpose of this regulation is to provide additional safety measures in order to address the fire safety objectives for ships carrying dangerous goods.

Due to changes in IMDG Code the said chapter of SOLAS also underwent certain changes.

These changes are made by Maritime Safety  Committee RESOLUTION MSC.269(85) and came into effect from 1st Jan 2011.

Applicable to :

  1. New Ships – keel laid on or after 1st Jan 2011
  2. Existing ships must comply to the changes during the first renewal survey after 1st Jan 2011
  3. Cargo ships of 500 GRT or more and passenger ships constructed on or after 1st Sept 1984
  4. Cargo ships of less than 500 GRT constructed on or after 1st Feb  1992
  • Class 2.3 now divided into 2.3 and 2.3 with subsidiary risk 2.1
  • Lower flashpoint range for flammable liquids changed from ≤ 23°C to FP < 23°C
  • Upper limit of flashpoint is changed from FP 61°C to FP 60°C
  • Class 4.3 is divided into 4.3 Solids and 4.3 Liquids
  • Class 8 having a flashpoint FP ≥ 23°C and subsidiary risk of 6.1 need an additional bilge system as per regulation II-2/19.3.5
  • Class 9 which may emit flammable gas – electrical equipment must be of certified safe type of at least IIB T4, IP55.

 The Document of compliance for the carriage of dangerous goods as per regulation II-2/19.4 of the SOLAS Convention will be replaced for existing ships during next class renewal.

 Table 19.3 is replaced by the following table:

Notes below

11 When .mechanically-ventilated spaces. are required by the IMDG Code.

12 Stow 3 m horizontally away from the machinery space boundaries in all cases.

13 Refer to the IMDG Code.

14 As appropriate for the goods to be carried.

15 FP means flashpoint.

16 Under the provisions of the IMDG Code, stowage of class 5.2 dangerous goods under deck or

in enclosed ro-ro spaces is prohibited.

17 Only applicable to dangerous goods evolving flammable vapour listed in the IMDG Code.

18 Only applicable to dangerous goods having a flashpoint less than 23ºC listed in

the IMDG Code.

19 Only applicable to dangerous goods having a subsidiary risk class 6.1.

20 Under the provisions of the IMDG Code, stowage of class 2.3 having subsidiary risk class 2.1

under deck or in enclosed ro-ro spaces is prohibited.

21 Under the provisions of the IMDG Code, stowage of class 4.3 liquids having a flashpoint less

than 23ºC under deck or in enclosed ro-ro spaces is prohibited.

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Application of IMDG Code

IMDG Code is applicable to all ships to which SOLAS 1974, as amended, applies and which are carrying Dangerous Goods.

Regulation 1 of Part A, Chapter VII, of SOLAS 1974, as amended, defines dangerous goods as the substances, materials and articles covered by the IMDG Code.

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DANGEROUS GOODS ON PASSENGER SHIPS

Passenger ship Wittus in the Karlskrona archip...

For the purpose of stowage of dangerous goods IMDG Code divides the ships into two groups

  1.  cargo ships or passenger ships carrying a number of passengers limited to not more than 25 or to 1 passenger per 3 m of overall length, whichever is the greater number;
  2.  other passenger ships in which the limiting number of passengers transported is exceeded.

Passenger ships are categorized as

“passenger ships carrying a number of passengers limited to not more than 25 or to 1 passenger per 3 m of overall length, whichever is the greater number

Or

“Other passenger ships in which the limiting number of passengers transported is exceeded”

Individual dangerous goods are assigned with stowage categories A, B, C, D, or E in the Dangerous Goods List in IMDG Code and these are specifically assigned for On Deck, Under Deck or whether prohibited on passenger ships.

See stowage categories of IMDG Code here 

Stowage categories A to E are for goods other than Class 1 (Explosives).

For Class 1 explosives there is another set of stowage categories as shown in below images.

Section 7.1.7.5 of IMDG Code describes in full the conditions of stowage of explosives in passenger ships.

Below is quoted from IMDG Code

7.1.7.5 Transport of goods of class 1 on passenger ships

7.1.7.5.1 For the purpose of stowage in this class, the terms “passenger ship” and “cargo ship” are used as in SOLAS 1974, as amended.

7.1.7.5.2 Explosives in division 1.4, compatibility group S, may be transported in any amount on passenger ships. No other explosives may be transported on passenger ships except any one of the following:

    1. explosive articles for life-saving purposes listed in the Dangerous Goods List, if  the total net explosives mass of such articles does not exceed 50 kg per ship; or
    2. goods in compatibility groups C, D and E, if the net explosives mass does not  exceed 10 kg per ship; or
    3. articles in compatibility group G other than those requiring special stowage, if the total net explosives mass does not exceed 10 kg per ship; or
    4. articles in compatibility group B, if the total net explosives mass does not exceed 10 kg per ship.

7.1.7.5.3 Notwithstanding the provisions of 7.1.7.5.2, additional quantities or types of goods of class 1 may be transported in passenger ships in which there are special safety measures approved by the competent authority.

7.1.7.5.4 Articles in compatibility group N shall only be allowed in passenger ships if the total net explosives mass does not exceed 50 kg per ship and no other explosives apart from Division 1.4, compatibility group S, are transported.

7.1.7.5.5 Goods of class 1 which may be transported in passenger ships are identified in the Dangerous Goods List. They shall be stowed in accordance with the following table:

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Stowage Categories

Positioning of dangerous goods containers on board vessels are categorised by ‘stowage categories’ to ensure safety. Many points are considered by IMDG Code for safe carriage of dangerous goods by sea-going vessels.

container ship leaving bay area
container ship leaving bay area (Photo credit: Derell Licht)

On ships there are two different types of stowage (1) On deck and (2) Under Deck. When we look at a container vessel all those containers we see outside are stowed on deck. The containers stowed below the hatch covers are under-deck stowed units.

For other than class 1 ( explosives ) ships are divided into two groups for this purpose

1) cargo ships or passenger ships carrying a number of passengers limited to not more than 25 or to 1 passenger per 3 m of overall length, whichever is the greater number;
2) other passenger ships in which the limiting number of passengers transported is
exceeded.

For every dangerous goods listed in IMDG Code Dangerous Goods List column 16 specifies stowage requirement. This is indicated by Category A, B , C, D or E.

On Deck only  stowage is always prescribed for cases where:

.1 constant supervision is required; or
.2 accessibility is particularly required; or
.3 there is a substantial risk of formation of explosive gas mixtures, development of
highly toxic vapours, or unobserved corrosion of the ship

Below is the entry for UN 2076 Class 6.1 CRESOLS, LIQUID, you can see in column 16 it is written Category B. Substances, Materials or Articles assigned with stowage Category B can be loaded on deck or under deck on a cargo ship but on a passenger ship where limitng number of passengers are exceeded Category B must be loaded on deck only!

stowage category

Stowage Categories for Goods other than Class 1 (Explosives)

Stowage category A
Cargo ships or passenger ships carrying a number of Passengers limited to not more than 25 or to 1 passenger per 3 m of overall length, whichever is the greater number ON DECK OR UNDER DECK
Other passenger ships in which the limiting number of passengers transported is exceeded ON DECK OR UNDER DECK
Stowage category B
Cargo ships or passenger ships carrying a number of passengers limited to not more than 25 or to 1 passenger per 3 m of overall length, whichever is the greater number ON DECK OR UNDER DECK
Other passenger ships in which the limiting number of passengers transported is exceeded ON DECK ONLY
Stowage category C
Cargo ships or passenger ships carrying a number of passengers limited to not more than 25 or to 1 passenger per 3 m of overall length, whichever is the greater number ON DECK ONLY
Other passenger ships in which the limiting number of passengers transported is exceeded ON DECK ONLY
Stowage category D
Cargo ships or passenger ships carrying a number of passengers limited to not more than 25 or to 1 passenger per 3 m of overall length, whichever is the greater number ON DECK ONLY
Other passenger ships in which the limiting number of passengers transported is exceeded PROHIBITED
Stowage category E
Cargo ships or passenger ships carrying a number of passengers limited to not more than 25 or to 1 passenger per 3 m of overall length, whichever is the greater number ON DECK OR UNDER DECK
Other passenger ships in which the limiting number of passengers transported is exceeded PROHIBITED

You may refer IMDG Code 35th Amendment Chapter 7.1 for full details of stowage requirements including those for Class 1 ( Explosives ).

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