The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code is the IMO's mandatory standard for classifying, packing, marking, and stowing dangerous goods carried by sea. It assigns every hazardous substance a class, a UN number, and packing requirements that carriers and terminals must follow.
IMO Classes
The Carriage of dangerous goods and marine pollutants in sea-going ships is respectively regulated in the International Convention for the Safety of the Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
Relevant parts of both SOLAS and MARPOL have been worked out in great detail and are included in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, thus making this Code the legal instrument for maritime transport of dangerous goods and marine pollutants. As of 1st January 2004, the IMDG Code will become a mandatory requirement.
Classification of dangerous goods
For all modes of transport (sea, air, rail, road and inland waterways) the classification (grouping) of dangerous goods, by type of risk involved, has been drawn up by the UNITED NATIONS Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN).
Class 1: Explosives.
Subclass 1.1: Explosives
Consists of explosives that have a mass explosion hazard. A mass explosion is one which affects almost the entire load instantaneously.
Subclass 1.2: Explosives
Consists of explosives that have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard.
Subclass 1.3: Explosives
Consists of explosives that have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard.
Subclass 1.4: Explosives
Consists of explosives that present a minor explosion hazard. The explosive effects are largely confined to the package and no projection of fragments of appreciable size or range is to be expected. An external fire must not cause virtually instantaneous explosion of almost the entire contents of the package.
Subclass 1.5: Explosives
Consists of very insensitive explosives. This division is comprised of substances which have a mass explosion hazard but are so insensitive that there is very little probability of initiation or of transition from burning to detonation under normal conditions of transport.
Subclass 1.6: Explosives
Consists of extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosive hazard. This division is comprised of articles which contain only extremely insensitive detonating substances and which demonstrate a negligible probability of accidental initiation or propagation.
FAQ
Dangerous goods classification, explained
A substance is classed by its primary hazard, but many also carry a subsidiary risk — a toxic gas that's also flammable, for instance. The shipping documents and placarding reflect both, and segregation rules account for whichever hazard is more restrictive.
The UN number is assigned per substance (or group of similar substances) in the IMDG Code's Dangerous Goods List, not per class — two shipments in the same class can have different numbers, packing groups, and segregation requirements.
No — this is a plain-language reference for planning purposes only. Final classification, packing instructions, and stowage/segregation tables always come from the current edition of the IMDG Code and your carrier's dangerous goods desk.
Tracking a dangerous goods shipment?
Qubictron's tracking tools work the same way regardless of cargo class — see live status across ocean and air in one search.