Chapter 1.1 – General Provisions

1.1.1 Purpose

The purpose is to provide a uniform international code for the transport of dangerous goods by sea. Without a standardized system, a ship traveling from Asia to Europe might face different safety rules at every port. The Code ensures that whether you are in Singapore, Rotterdam, or New York, the definitions of “flammable” or “toxic” remain identical.

## 1.1.2 Scope of Applicability

This defines the boundaries of the Code:

  • Vessel Types: Applies to all commercial vessels. It does not apply to warships or naval auxiliary ships (though most navies follow these rules as a “best practice”).

  • Cargo Form: Specifically covers goods in packaged form. This includes everything from small bottles in boxes to Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) and massive portable tanks.

  • Exclusions: It does not cover solid bulk cargoes (like loose grain or ore) or bulk liquid chemicals in tankers, which are governed by other codes like the IMSBC or IBC Codes.

## 1.1.3 Regulatory Basis

The IMDG Code does not exist in a vacuum; it is given “teeth” by international treaties:

  • SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea): Chapter VII makes the IMDG Code mandatory for protecting the crew and the ship.

  • MARPOL (Marine Pollution): Annex III focuses on preventing “Harmful Substances” from damaging the ocean.

  • IAEA: For Class 7 (Radioactive) materials, the IMDG Code defers to the standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

## 1.1.4 Responsibilities

Safety is a shared burden. If one link in the chain fails, an accident occurs:

  • The Shipper: The most critical role. They must accurately identify what the chemical is. If they misclassify it, every subsequent safety measure (packing, labeling, stowage) will be wrong.

  • The Carrier/Shipowner: Acts as the “gatekeeper.” They must verify that the documentation matches the cargo and ensure the ship is equipped to carry that specific hazard.

  • The Master (Captain): Has ultimate authority over the ship’s safety. They oversee the physical loading and ensure the crew is ready for a potential emergency.

  • The Port Authority: Acts as the local regulator, providing the infrastructure and conducting inspections to catch non-compliant shipments before they board a vessel.

## 1.1.5 Safety Principles

These are the “Golden Rules” of the Code:

  • Prevention: Designing packaging that can survive the stresses of a storm at sea.

  • Precautionary Segregation: Keeping incompatible chemicals apart (e.g., keeping acids away from bases so a leak doesn’t cause an explosion).

  • Verification: Ensuring that what is written on the paper matches what is inside the container.

## 1.1.6 Compliance & Enforcement

To ensure these rules aren’t ignored, the Code includes “teeth”:

  • Port State Control (PSC): Inspectors can board ships to check for leaking containers or improper documentation.

  • Sanctions: Non-compliance can result in heavy fines, cargo being offloaded at the shipper’s expense, or the ship being “detained” (forbidden from leaving port).

  • Auditing: Companies must keep records of training and shipments to prove they are following the law.

    The 9 Classes of Dangerous Goods

    Class 1: Explosives

    Substances that can cause a chemical reaction resulting in a blast, heat, or projectiles.

    • Examples: TNT, fireworks, ammunition, flares.

    • Note: This class is divided into 6 “Divisions” based on the severity of the explosion risk.

    Class 2: Gases –

    Gases that are compressed, liquefied, or dissolved under pressure.

    • 2.1 Flammable Gas: (e.g., Propane, Butane)

    • 2.2 Non-flammable, Non-toxic Gas: (e.g., Nitrogen, Helium)

    • 2.3 Toxic Gas: (e.g., Chlorine, Carbon Monoxide)

    Class 3: Flammable Liquids

    Liquids that can catch fire easily. The classification is based on their Flashpoint (the temperature at which the liquid gives off enough vapor to ignite).

    • Examples: Gasoline, alcohol, paints, certain perfumes.

    Class 4: Flammable Solids

    Substances that can catch fire through friction, absorption of moisture, or spontaneous chemical changes.

    • 4.1 Flammable Solids: (e.g., Sulfur, Matches)

    • 4.2 Spontaneously Combustible: (e.g., White Phosphorus)

    • 4.3 Dangerous When Wet: Substances that emit flammable gases when they touch water (e.g., Sodium).

    Class 5: Oxidizing Substances & Organic Peroxides

  •  

    These substances don’t necessarily burn themselves, but they provide the oxygen that allows other materials to burn violently.

    • 5.1 Oxidizers: (e.g., Ammonium Nitrate fertilizer)

    • 5.2 Organic Peroxides: Highly unstable chemicals that can be sensitive to heat or friction.

    Class 6: Toxic & Infectious Substances

    • 6.1 Toxic: Substances that can cause death or serious injury if swallowed, inhaled, or touched (e.g., Cyanide, Pesticides).

    • 6.2 Infectious: Materials containing pathogens like bacteria or viruses (e.g., Medical waste).

    • Class 7: Radioactive Material

      Materials that emit ionizing radiation. These are regulated in coordination with the IAEA.

      • Examples: Uranium, medical isotopes, smoke detectors.

         

        Class 8: Corrosives 

        Substances that chemically dissolve or “eat” through living tissue (skin/eyes) or degrade materials like steel and aluminum.

        • Examples: Battery acid, Sulfuric acid, Caustic soda.

        Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods 

        Substances that present a danger during transport but do not fit into the other eight categories.

        • Examples: Lithium batteries, Dry ice, Asbestos, and Marine Pollutants (substances toxic to fish and sea life).

        ## Determining Danger: Packing Groups

        For most classes (except Classes 1, 2, 5.2, 6.2, and 7), the code assigns a Packing Group (PG) to indicate the level of danger:

         

        • PG I: High Danger (Requires the most robust packaging)

        • PG II: Medium Danger

        • PG III: Low Danger

       

     

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