Need to send dangerous goods?

Dangerous goods are above all goods that could pose a risk for health, environment and property. It could be anything from artificial flavouring to petrol.
The classification of dangerous goods is subject to various regulations. In shipping dangerous goods is regulated in IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods), an international guideline for safe transportation or shipment of dangerous goods or materials by sea on a vessel.
The IMDG Code is intended to protect crew members and to prevent marine pollution in the safe transportation of hazardous materials by vessel.

The abbreviation for Hazardous materials and items, HAZMAT, is used internationally for substances like:

• Poisonous chemicals
• Fuel
• Nuclear waste
• Biological, chemical or radiological substances

The material of the substances could be:

• Liquids and gas
• Solids and powder

 

When transporting dangerous goods, the consignor must meet certain expectations of responsibility. The consignor must:

• Make sure the goods are classed according to all rules and regulations
• Make sure the dangerous goods is booked separately, and not just as part of a bigger shipment
• Make sure to have all documentation regarding the shipping of the goods signed off prior to loading
• Make sure the packaging is suitable for each particular substance
• Make sure the labelling is correct and includes all information, dangerous goods paperwork and symbols needed for all substances being transported
• Make sure to meet all demands and restrictions regarding shipment and transport
• Obliged to issue and attach all necessary documentation needed to transport the dangerous goods. This must include a complete description of the goods and the shipment.
• Documents and accident instructions must be explained in terms and in a language that the actual transporter understands
• The documentation must by law be stored by both consignor and transporter for at least 3 months
• The documentation can be stored electronic, but must be printable.
• The information must be traceable using the correct goods category code

During transport of dangerous goods, the carrier must meet certain expectations of responsibility. 

The carrier must:

• Make sure the shipment fulfills all conditions according to the relevant transport regulations. Should some of these conditions not be fulfilled, the shipment should be rejected.
• Make sure the transport is carried out by qualified crew which holds the necessary expertise
• Make sure all materials, equipment and vehicles complies with applicable safety requirements when being transported
• Make sure all necessary documentation is included and available with the goods
• Make sure the goods is sufficiently labelled
• Make sure the goods is properly loaded and within the regulation for groupage and separation
• Make sure the ferry companies other transport companies involved are sufficiently informed

All shipping is regulated through the Norwegian laws for sea freight, and dangerous goods shipped by Norwegian vessels is regulated through”Dangerous goods on Norwegian ships”. Dangerous goods not mentioned in these regulations or established in the law for  safety on board ships, are illegal to ship by a Norwegian vessel. 

The regulation states which information should be included in the documents:

• Correct technical term for the dangerous goods load, including:
  • UN-Numbers if relevant
  • IMO – classification must comply with the international regulations for transporting packed dangerous goods by sea. (IMDG code), international rules for construction and equipment on board ships carrying dangerous chemicals in bulk (IBC code), or international rules for construction and equipment on board ships carrying liquefied gasses in bulk (IGC code)
• The type of ship required for shipping the various dangerous goods (INF code)
• The amount of dangerous goods
• The ID number of the loading unit when not shipped in a tank 
• Emergency contact numbers to all responsible crew. The physical and chemical character of the goods as well as emergency procedures must be available on board

Documentation must be available onboard ship
 

Here is some links with useful information regarding "dangerous goods":

• The Norwegian Maritime Code
• Dangerous goods on Norwegian ships
• IMDG (International maritime Dangerous Goods)