IMO & IMDG CODE - BACKGROUND

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'S SOLUTIONS FOR DANGEROUS GOODS TRANSPORT

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

» NEW Model PFR-582Ex:
This picture frame container system with primary and back-up refrigeration units  complies with IMDG Classes 4.1 and 5.2. The PFR-582Ex offers maximum cargo space. Read more.

» Model PFR-571 ZII-II:
This picture frame container system offers explosion-proof motors and components that are designed to maintain space temperatures in Zone 2 hazardous locations. Read more.

» Model NMR-262:
This nose mount container system features 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 set to ensure complete and independent protection of the cargo. The generator set is capable of powering the refrigeration units in case of loss of external power supply or during transport on a truck. Read more.

» 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. Read more.

» Model TCR-104:
The TCR-104 is a front mounted unit profiled to the 'dished end' shape of the tank This system is used to transport liquid hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and beverages.  The TCR-104 is available with a back-up, integral generator set. Read more.

» Model TCR-262:
The TCR-262 is a dual system with two primary and back-uprefrigeration systems which provide 100% security for liquid hazardous cargoes. The TCR-262 is available with a back-up, integral generator set. Read more.