Dangerous Cargo Documentation in Container ship

Documents relating to dangerous (DG) cargo on board are subject to scrutiny

by port officials, PSC inspectors and other concerned parties. Thus any
irregularities in such documentation may result in fines, detention or other
such serious implications for the vessel.
DG cargo require special care after they are loaded on board ship. The
containers carrying DG cargo need proper documentation. The article here is
about procedures and guidelines on such cargo documents.
Documentation related to the carriage of Dangerous Cargo on board container
ships will mainly consist of the following:
1) The vessel must be in possession of a valid Document of
compliance with special requirements for ships carrying dangerous
goods. The appendix to this document will contain information indicating
class wise allowable locations for stowage of dangerous goods on board.
2) Each dangerous cargo shipment shall be accompanied by a Dangerous
Goods List or Manifest. This manifest shall be set out in accordance to the
pertinent regulation of SOLAS and MARPOL conventions and the IMDG
code. DG Manifests shall be filed on board and maintained load port wise.
3) Each dangerous cargo shipment shall also be accompanied by a Dangerous
Goods Declaration. This is a signed certificate or declaration that the
consignment, as offered for carriage, is properly packaged, marked, labeled or
placarded as appropriate and in proper condition for carriage.
This declaration may be combined with the container packing certificate as
required by the pertinent regulation of SOLAS and MARPOL conventions

and the IMDG code. DG Declarations shall be filed on board and maintained
discharge port wise.
4) When dangerous goods are carried on board, appropriate information shall
be immediately available at all times for use in emergency response to
accidents and incidents involving dangerous goods in transport.
This information may be in the form of separate documents, safety data sheets
or the Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods
(EMS Guide) for use in conjunction with the transport document and the
Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods
(MFAG).
5) Where required for reporting to port authorities, the Chief Officer shall
prepare an updated dangerous cargo list. This list shall contain at least the
following information: Stow position, Container number, Line operator, Port
of loading / discharge, DG class, UN number, proper shipping name, weight,
flash point and EMS. Such list for reporting to authorities shall be made with
utmost caution.
6) The Chief Officer shall prepare a copy of the dangerous cargo stowage plan
(indicating DG class & location) along with a dangerous cargo list (indicating
Location, Container number, DG class and UN number), and these along with
any special guidelines from shippers, shall be kept on Bridge (for ready
reference of the watch keeping officer) and in Fire wallets at gangways.
7) The Chief Officer obtain Container packing certificate from shipper or
agent. Certificate indicating correct loading of a dangerous goods container
and the observance of the regulations set out in the IMDG Code (International
Maritime Dangerous Goods Code). The container packing certificate is issued
by the person responsible for packing the container.

Dangerous Cargo Documentation in Container ship

Procedures and guidelines for stowage and segregation of dangerous cargo,
shall be adhered to additionally:
1) Every dangerous cargo shipment shall be made in line with IMO policy and
be accompanied by required documentation. DG cargo with
restricted/prohibited UN numbers shall not be accepted for shipment unless
under special circumstance express permission is obtained from the company.
2) All DG containers must be checked for proper label/placard as required by
the IMDG code. A stock of spare labels/placards must be kept on board.
3) DG containers must be checked for condition prior loading and leaking or
damaged containers posing a hazard, shall be rejected.
4) It must be ensured that all DG containers are loaded in the planned stow
position. Any discrepancies shall be brought to the notice of the Terminal
planner / Central planner and / or local agent as required.
The final condition may be accepted only if meeting all stowage and
segregation requirements; else it must be corrected by discharging / shifting
concerned container(s).
5) The requisite day/night signals for vessels carrying / loading / discharging
dangerous cargo shall be displayed.
6) When handling/carrying dangerous cargo on board smoking shall strictly
not be allowed other than in designated smoking areas. Signs/placards shall be
appropriately displayed at gangway and on deck.

7) Location and properties of dangerous cargo shall be considered when

carrying out any special work on board such as hot work etc.
Obtain container packing certificate
Certificate indicating correct loading of a dangerous goods container and the
observance of the regulations set out in the IMDG Code (International
Maritime Dangerous Goods Code). The container packing certificate is issued
by the person responsible for packing the container.
8) Other precautions shall be taken when handling dangerous cargo shipments
as warranted by good seamanship, SOLAS, MARPOL, IMDG code, local and
national regulations.
9) Further guidance for handling D.G cargo is contained in IMDG Code vol 1,
2 & supplement.

Segregation and stowage requirements for dangerous cargo - IMDG code

guideline
Handling dangerous cargo requires special care due to the inherent hazardous
nature of the cargo and applicable carriage regulations.The general provisions
for segregation between the various classes of dangerous goods are shown in
"Segregation table" (IMDG Code Chapter 7.2.1.16). In addition to the general
provisions, there may be a need to segregate a particular substance, material or
article from other goods which could contribute to its hazard.

D/G Cargo Onboard List

Where required for reporting to port authorities, the C/Off shall prepare an
updated dangerous cargo list. This list shall contain at least the following
information: a) Stow Position b) Container Number c) Line Operator
d) Port of Loading / Discharging e) DG Class f) UN Number
g) Proper Shipping Name h) Weight i) Flash Point and EMS
Such list for reporting to authorities shall be made with utmost caution.

D/G Cargo Stowage Plan

The C/Off shall prepare a copy of the Dangerous Cargo Stowage Plan
(indicating D/G class & Stowage Location), along with a D/G Cargo List
(indicating Location, Cntr No., D/G Class and UN No.).
And these along with any special guidelines from shippers, shall be kept:
- in Wheel House (for ready reference of the watch keeping officer) and
- in Fire Wallets at Gangways.
Particular provisions for segregation are indicated in the Dangerous Goods
List and, in the case of conflicting provisions, always take precedence over the
general provisions. For example:
a) In the Dangerous Goods List entry for ACETYLENE, DISSOLVED, class
2.1, UN 1001, the following particular segregation requirement is specified:
separated from chlorine
b) In the Dangerous Goods List entry for BARIUM CYANIDE, CLASS 6.1,
UN 1565, THE FOLLOWING PARTICULAR SEGREGATION IS

SPECIFIED:
separated from acids
( IMDG Code Chapter 7.2.1.6 )
2. Where the Code indicates a single secondary hazard (one subsidiary risk
label), the segregation provisions applicable to that hazard should take
precedence where they are more stringent than those of the primary hazard.
( IMDG Code Chapter 7.2.1.6.1 )
3. Except for class 1, the segregation provisions for substances, materials or
articles having more than two hazards (2 or more subsidiary risk labels) are
given in the Dangerous Goods List.
For example:
In the Dangerous Goods List entry for BROMINE CHLORIDE, class 2.3 UN
2901, subsidiary risk 5.1 and 8, the following particular segregation is
specified:
segregation as for class 5.1 but separated from class 7
* (IMDG Code Chapter 7.2.1.6.2 )
4. Whenever dangerous goods are stowed together, whether or not in a cargo
transport unit, the segregation of such dangerous goods from others should
always be in accordance with the most stringent provisions for any of the
dangerous goods concerned.
(IMDG Code Chapter 7.2.1.9 )
5. No segregation need be applied between dangerous goods of different
classes which comprise the same substance but vary only in their water
content, such as sodium sulphide in classes 4.2 and 8, or for class 7 if the

difference is due to quantity only.

(IMDG Code Chapter 7.2.1.13)
6. Notwithstanding IMDG Code Chapter 7.2.1.6.1, 7.2.1.6.2 and 7.2.1.13,
substances of the same class may be stowed together without regard to
segregation required by secondary hazards (subsidiary risk label(s)), provided
the substances do not react dangerously with each other and cause:
.1 combustion and/or evolution of considerable heat;
.2 evolution of flammable, toxic or asphyxiant gases;
.3 the formation of corrosive substances; or
.4 the formation of unstable substances.
(IMDG Code Chapter 7.2.1.11)
Remark: As a general rule to carry these substances in same cargo transport
unit, this regulation should not be applied priority over Chapter 7.2.1.6.1,
7.2.1.6.2 and 7.2.1.13 without surveyors clarified assess that there is not the
above danger due to mixing these substances.
7. Dangerous goods which have to be segregated from each other should not
be carried in the same cargo transport unit. However, dangerous goods which
should be segregated away from each other may be carried in the same
cargo transport unit with the approval of the competent authority. In such
cases an equivalent standard of safety must be maintained.
(IMDG Code Chapter 7.2.2.3)
8. For the purpose of segregation, dangerous goods having certain similar
chemical properties have been grouped together in segregation groups as
listed in 7.2.1.7.2. The entries allocated to these segregation groups are listed
in IMDG Code chapter 3.1.4.4. Where in the Dangerous Goods List entry in

column 16 (stowage and segregation) a particular segregation requirement

refers to a group of substances, such as "acids", the particular segregation
requirement applies to the goods allocated to the respective segregation group.
(IMDG Code Chapter 7.2.1.7.1.)
*Segregation groups referred to in the Dangerous Goods List* (IMDG Code
Chapter 7.2.1.7.2.)
.1 acids
.2 ammonium compounds
.3 bromates
.4 chlorates
.5 chlorites
.6 cyanides
.7 heavy metals and their salts
.8 hypochlorites
.9 lead and lead compounds
.10 liquid halogenated hydrocarbons
.11 mercury and mercury compounds
.12 nitrites
.13 perchlorates
.14 permanganates
.15 powdered metals
.16 peroxides
.17 azides
.18 alkalis

9. It is recognized that not all substances falling within a segregation group are
listed in this Code by name. These substances are shipped under N.O.S.

entries. Although these N.O.S. entries are not listed themselves in the above
groups, the shipper shall decide whether allocation under the segregation
group is appropriate. Mixtures, solutions or preparations containing
substances falling within a segregation group and shipped under an N.O.S.
entry are also considered to fall within that segregation group.
(IMDG Code Chapter 7.2.1.7.3.)
10. The segregation groups in this Code do not cover substances which fall
outside the classification criteria of this Code. It is recognised that some nonhazardous substances have similar chemical properties as substances listed in
the segregation groups. A shipper or the person responsible for packing the
goods into a cargo transport unit who does have knowledge of the chemical
properties of such non-dangerous goods may decide to implement the
segregation requirements of a related segregation group on a voluntary basis.
(IMDG Code Chapter 7.2.1.7.4.)

Procedures and guidelines for dangerous cargo documentation

Documents relating to dangerous (DG) cargo on board are subject to scrutiny
by port officials, PSC inspectors and other concerned parties. Thus any
irregularities in such documentation may result in fines, detention or other
such serious implications for the vessel. ....
Procedures and guidelines for dangerous cargo handling
Every dangerous cargo shipment shall be made in line with IMO policy and be
accompanied by required documentation. DG cargo with restricted/prohibited
UN numbers shall not be accepted for shipment unless under special
circumstance express permission is obtained from the company. ....

Handling of Harmful Packaged goods

Annex III Marpol 73/78 (Harmful Substances carried at Sea in Packaged
Form : This Annex came into force internationally on 1July 1992. It contains
regulations which include requirements on packaging, marking, labelling,
documentation, stowage and quantity limitations....

Layout of the IMDG Code

Volume 1 contains most of the detailed instructions for safely preparing and transporting
dangerous goods by sea:
Part 1: General provisions, definitions and training
Part 2: Classification
Part 4: Packing and Tank Provisions
Part 5: Consignment Procedures
Part 6: Construction and Testing of Packagings, Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs),
Large Packagings, Portable Tanks, Multiple Element Gas Containers (MEGCs) and Road
Tank Vehicles
Part 7: Requirements Concerning Transport Operations
Volume 2 contains:
Part 3: Dangerous Goods List (DGL), Special Provisions and Exceptions (Limited and
Excepted Quantities)
Appendix A: List of Generic and N.O.S. Proper Shipping Names
Appendix B: Glossary of terms
Alphabetical Index
The IMDG Code Supplement contains the following sections related to the Code.
Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods;
Medical First Aid Guide;
Reporting Procedures;
Safe Use of Pesticides in Ships, in CTUs and cargo holds;
International Code for the Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and
High-level Radioactive Wastes on board ships.
An appendix of relevant IMO Resolutions and Circulars