Background on the IMO and IMDG Code:

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) was established in 1948 and was originally called the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization, or IMCO.  The IMO was formed as a specialized agency of the United Nations to develop international regulations, adhered to by all nations, to ensure safety at sea and environmental protection.

The IMO was first tasked with adopting a new version of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), an international maritime safety treaty.  The 1960 International Convention was a significant step forward in the updating international shipping regulations and is still the most important treaty addressing maritime safety. Development of an international code for dangerous goods transport by sea was among the items contained in the 1960 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code includes guidelines on items such as packing, container traffic and stowage, and segregation of incompatible substances.

The IMDG Code was adopted in 1965.  Amendments to the Code can be made by the IMO's working group, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC). Requests for amendments may be made by member nations or in response to changes to the UN Recommendations of the Transport of Dangerous Goods.  Amendments based on changes to the UN Recommendations are made every two years.

IMDG Code Classes:

Dangerous Goods are broken into different classes and are further subdivided into divisions. The classification can be made by the shipper/consignor or the appropriate competent authority as specified in the Code.

Class 1: Explosives
       Division 1.1: substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard
       Division 1.2: substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard
       Division 1.3: substances and articles which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but
       not a mass explosion hazard
       Division 1.4: substances and articles which present no significant hazard
       Division 1.5: very insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard
       Division 1.6: extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard
Class 2: Gases
    Class 2.1: flammable gases
    Class 2.2: non-flammable, non-toxic gases
    Class 2.3: toxic gases
Class 3: Flammable liquids
Class 4: Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
    Class 4.1: flammable solids, self-reactive substances and desensitized explosives
    Class 4.2: substances liable to spontaneous combustion
    Class 4.3: substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
    Class 5.1: oxidizing substances
    Class 5.2: organic peroxides
Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
    Class 6.1: toxic substances
    Class 6.2: infectious substances
Class 7: Radioactive material
Class 8: Corrosive substances
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

Klinge Transport Solutions for Dangerous Goods:

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Regulations require that Dangerous Goods Classes 4.1 and 5.2 must be transported in the following:

"Dual mechanical refrigeration systems, provided that:

• the two systems are independent of one another;

• each system alone is capable of maintaining adequate temperature control;

• for substances with a flashpoint lower than the sum of the emergency temperature plus 5^oC, explosion-proof electrical fittings are used within the coolant compartment to prevent ignition of flammable vapors from the substances."

Klinge offers a number of solutions for the transport of Dangerous Goods:

• NEW Model PFR-582Ex:
The PFR-582Ex is a picture frame container system  with primary and back-up refrigeration units to comply with IMDG Classes 4.1 and 5.2.  The PFR-582Ex offers maximum cargo space.

• Model PFR-571 ZII-II:
The PFR-571 ZII-II is a picture frame container system that offers explosion-proof motors and components designed to maintain space temperatures in Zone 2 hazardous locations.

• Model NMR-262:
The NMR-262 is a nose mount container system with primary and back-up refrigeration units to comply with IMDG Classes 4.1 and 5.2. 
The system is also available with a self-powered generator to ensure complete and independent protection for shipments. The generator set is capable of powering the refrigeration units in case of loss of external power supply or during transport on a truck.

• Model NMR-872:
The NMR-872 is a nose mount container system with primary and back-up refrigeration units and generator sets.  The generator sets are capable of powering the refrigeration units in case of loss of external power supply or during transport on a truck. This system provides the utmost protection for hazardous of temperature-sensitive goods.

• Model TCR-104:
The TCR-104 is a tank container system that is profiled to fit the shape of tank containers to maintain temperatures in liquid cargo.