Shashi Kallada's space

A power bank caught fire at Chandigarh airport on a flight recently. No serious injuries, no aircraft damage, however, the incident is a reminder that this ubiquitous travel accessory is a live dangerous goods issue, not a theoretical one. How the IMDG Code 42-24 Treats Power Banks Shipped as cargo by sea, power banks are classified under the IMDG Code as lithium ion batteries: UN 3480 (Lithium…

Sodium-ion batteries are a new class of rechargeable energy storage technology gaining rapid commercial adoption in electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems. IMDG Code Amendment 42-24, mandatory from 1st January 2026, introduces sodium-ion batteries as a separate regulated category with dedicated UN numbers and classification provisions under section 2.9.5. Entries in IMDG Code…

IMDG Code 4.1.1.4 mandates that an Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) must not be filled beyond 98% of its water capacity at a mean bulk temperature of 50 °C. This limit is kept because liquids expand as temperature rises and if there is no ullage space left to accommodate that expansion, the excess volume generates increasing internal pressure with no place to go. Unless specific provisions are…

Selecting the correct portable tank is a compliance obligation, not a preference. Shippers must match their dangerous goods to a tank code that meets the minimum test pressure, shell thickness, and pressure relief requirements prescribed in the Dangerous Goods List. Freight forwarders verifying documentation need to confirm that the tank offered by the operator meets or correctly substitutes…

IMDG Code 42-24 now applicable (from 1st Jan 2026), accuracy is critical. Minor errors can occur, making official errata and corrigenda indispensable. Prompt adoption of errata ensures compliance, reduces risks of fines and delays, and strengthens safety in supply-chain. Correcting books upholds the Code’s integrity, enabling safe, reliable transport of dangerous…

Orange peel extract liquid is derived from citrus peels and widely used in cosmetics, fragrances, flavouring agents etc. A pale yellow to deep orange volatile liquid with flashpoint 45–54°C. Flammable properties of orange peel extract make it subject to dangerous goods regulations under the IMDG Code. Some of these products are assigned to below UN Numbers. 1197 EXTRACTS, LIQUID 1993…

Hi fellow maritime professionals and safety enthusiasts, I would like to express my gratitude to all who have visited this website. Whether you are a long-time subscriber or a new visitor navigating the complexities of dangerous goods regulations, your support is invaluable. With over 35 years of experience, I have dedicated my career to sharing practical tips on IMDG Code compliance. My aim is…

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), is the mandatory regulations for dangerous goods and marine pollutants transported by sea in packaged form. This eBook is designed as a practical companion for shippers, freight forwarders, carriers, port operators, and compliance professionals navigating the complexities of IMDG…

This checklist is designed to assist those who are carrying out or intending to carry out inspection of Cargo Transport Units (CTUs) packed with dangerous goods in accordance with Annex I of Maritime Safety Committee Circular MSC.1/Circ.1442 (Inspection Programmes For Cargo Transport Units Carrying Dangerous Goods). Noting that in those countries where regular inspection programmes have been…

Photo by Markku Soini from Pexels While there is no single mandatory global regulation for portside keeping or storage of electric vehicles (EV) there are various guidelines for safety when these vehicles (EV) are kept/stored at port whether inside sheds or in open yards. Electric car sales in 2025 are expected to exceed 20 million worldwide to represent more than one-quarter of cars sold…

Special Provision 188 (SP 188) of the IMDG Code 42-24 provides conditional exemptions/reduced requirements for small lithium metal, lithium ion, and sodium ion cells and batteries (including those installed in equipment, packed with equipment, or alone). These shipments are not subject to full Class 9 dangerous goods provisions (e.g., no Class 9 label, no Shipper’s Declaration, no placarding) if…

IMDG Code Amendment 42-24 (2024 Edition) introduced major changes for transporting charcoal by sea under UN 1361 (Carbon, animal or vegetable origin) and UN 1362 (Carbon, activated). These changes came in voluntarily from January 1, 2025, and will become mandatory from January 1, 2026. Basically, old exceptions, like special Provisions SP223 and SP925 that let some charcoal ship without full…