Dangerous Goods are those goods which by its inherent nature can cause harm to humans, animals, property or environment. Various goods falls into the category of dangerous goods and pose different nature of hazard while being transported such as radioactive radiation, acid burns, explosion, fire, dangerous generation of explosive, corrosive, toxic or flammable gases, depletion of oxygen etc.

In response to the sinking of RMS Titanic on 14 April 1912 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) was passed in 1914. Chapter VII of SOLAS Convention contains the mandatory provisions governing the carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form or in solid form in bulk.

SOLAS and Dangerous Goods

Chapter VII Part A of SOLAS deals with carriage of dangerous goods in Packaged form by ships and is amplified by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.The carriage of dangerous goods is prohibited except in accordance with the relevant provisions of chapter VII Part A of SOLAS.

MARPOL and Dangerous Goods

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (MARPOL), Annex III, contains the mandatory provisions for the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form. The carriage of marine pollutants is prohibited except in accordance with the relevant provisions of Annex III of MARPOL.

Objective

Carriage of dangerous goods and marine pollutants in packaged form by sea is regulated order to reasonably prevent injury to persons or damage to ships and their cargoes and to prevent harm to the marine environment.

The objective of the IMDG Code is to enhance the safe carriage of dangerous goods while facilitating the free unrestricted movement of such goods and prevent pollution to the environment.

IMDG Code attained mandatory status from 1 January 2004. From 1^st January 2014 IMDG Code amendment 36 (36-12) will enter into force.

Training

Success of the application of IMDG Code for transport of dangerous goods by sea is greatly depending on the appreciation by all persons concerned in the risks involved and detailed understanding of the Code. This can only be achieved by properly planned and maintained initial and retraining programmes.

From 1^st January 2010 onwards as per IMDG Code it is mandatory that all Shore-based personnel engaged in transport of dangerous goods by sea be trained in the contents of dangerous goods provisions commensurate with their responsibilities. Chapter 1.3 of IMDG Code details the requirements of training.

Crack the Code

Though IMDG Code has come through various modifications thus becoming user-friendly, for many users it remains a tough Code to crack. To overcome this and to have correct understanding of Code’s provisions and applying same to dangerous goods shipment can only be achieved by undertaking training, which is also mandatory as per law.

With more than two decades of experience in merchant shipping and a decade dealing exclusively dangerous goods we offer best in the industry training and consultation.

Services we offer

 Training in

• IMDG Code – Awareness and Function Specific
• IMSBC Code
• GHS

 Consultancy in

• All aspects of dangerous goods transport by Rail, Road, River and Sea
• Preparation of Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

 For training or consultancy mail to shashi@shashikallada.com