Transport of Hazardous Goods on Irish Sea Routes
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code was developed as a uniform international code for the transport of dangerous goods by sea covering such matters as packing, container traffic and stowage, with particular reference to the segregation of incompatible substances.
The code lays down basic principles, detailed recommendations for individual substances, materials and articles. There are a number of recommendations for good operational practice including advice on terminology, packing, labelling, segregation and handling, and emergency response action.
When advising the booking centre that you will be shipping hazardous goods you will be informed that you must fax the port of export, a copy of the Dangerous Goods Note (DGN) no later than 5 hours prior to the sailing. This is to enable Norfolkline staff to check that it is suitable for shipment. The load should arrive at the terminal no later than 3 hours prior to departure. This is to enable our loading staff to allocate a stowage position relevant to the hazardous load.
Class 1 - Explosives (with the exception of 1.4) and Class 7 - Radioactive substances, are not accepted on any Norfolkline Vessel.
The following information is ALWAYS REQUIRED ON DANGEROUS GOODS SHIPPING DOCUMENTATION
- Proper shipping name
- Class
- United Nations (UN) number
- Packaging group (PG)
- Number and kind of packages
- Total quantity of dangerous goods
- Declaration signed on behalf of the shipper
*Always in this order
When a driver arrives at the port he will be asked for all the original hazardous documentation and this will be checked to ensure it has been completed correctly. We will also ensure that the proper placards as required by the IMDG, are visible on the trailer, however it is the responsibility if the shipper to ensure that appropriate placards are in place.
Please be aware that placards on trailers for shipment by sea are different to those used by road. For further information on this please refer to the following:
The carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 1996 "Information to be displayed on containers, tanks and vehicles carrying dangerous goods"
If there are any queries or discrepancies the load will not be allowed on the terminals until such times as all is in order. Your driver will then be directed onto the terminal with instructions to park in a designated area of the quay.
At the time of printing the costs of obtaining the IMDG are £100 for 2 volume hard copy and IMDG Code for Windows £235.75 from:
International Maritime Organisation
4 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7SR
United Kingdom
e-mail: publications-sales@imo.org
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7735 7611
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7587 3241
Norfolkline Irish Sea Ferry Services reserve the right to apply surcharges for the carriage of any Hazardous shipments.