RoadSafe Europe

Dangerous Goods & transport training and consultancy

Dangerous Goods by Sea (IMDG)

We being an island race, sea freight accounts for 95% of UK imports and exports by tonnage, (and therefore 95% of our Dangerous Goods movements too), and supports around one million jobs in the UK economy. Mandatory training is required for anyone offering up dangerous goods for sea transport, or working on vessels carrying such goods.

More freight moves by sea than any other mode of transport.
The carriage of Dangerous Goods by sea is governed in UK law by the Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997. These regulations enact the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code established by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The IMDG Code covers the carriage of goods, which have been classified as dangerous if transported by sea, or are a marine pollutant. Information regarding the code can be viewed on the IMO website.

At RoadSafe Europe (based in Southampton, one of Europe's busiest container ports) we can guide you through all aspects of the IMDG Code - Dangerous Goods Notes (DGN's), stowage, segregation, container packing and security aspects. Since 2010, the "function specific" training of both shore based and shipboard personnel involved with the carriage of Dangerous Goods has become a mandatory legal requirement. Typical subjects covered include:

  • Introduction and format of the IMDG Regulations
  • The nine Hazard Classes
  • UN numbers, Proper Shipping Names and Packing Groups, etc
  • Limited Quantities
  • Packaging requirements
  • Marking and labelling (including overpacks)
  • Stowage and Segregation within a container/vehicle
  • Documentation (completion of the dangerous goods note (DGN))
  • Vehicle and container/tank-container placarding and marking

It's worth remembering that these regulations not only apply to container ships. Dangerous Goods in a vehicle carried on a ferry to the Isle-of-Wight, Channel Islands, Isle-of-Man or the Scottish Isles, for example, must also be correctly packaged, labelled, segregated and documented in full accordance with the IMDG Code.

In the UK, the Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 also apply. Read about dangerous goods on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) website - Opens in a new window.

We offer training at our Southampton centre or on-site at your own premises - nationwide. Arranging courses when required, to offer maximum flexibility.

Courses will cover the required minimum subjects, mapped to the suggested syllabus from the IMDG Code, from simple awareness to a full, in-depth study of the IMDG manuals. Also, courses can be customised to meet your exact requirements, covering such aspects as container packing, ro-ro ferry operations or the fire, spillage and First Aid schedules found in the IMDG Supplement.

Each trainee will receive a certificate of training indication which "functions" for which training has been given. There is no requirement for any form of assessment within the IMDG Code, but we have several examinations available should you wish your staff to take one as confirmation of learning.

Whatever your requirements, RoadSafe Europe can offer a course to meet them - contact us today

Tel: 02380 702576 or, [email protected]