As of 1 January 2018, Amendment 38-16 to the IMDG will become mandatory. The transition period, that started 1 Janurary 2017, will come to an end 31 December 2017.
This means that only the current version may be used in regard to handling hazardous cargo.
Regulations controlling the transport of dangerous goods follow a two-yearly revision cycle taking account, as stated in the source United Nations (UN) Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods – Model Regulations, of ‘technical progress, the advent of new substances and materials, the exigencies of modern transport systems and, above all, the requirement to ensure the safety of people, property and the environment’. The Model Regulations seek to set out a scheme that allows ‘uniform development of national and international regulations governing the various modes of transport’. Thus, for the maritime mode, the IMDG Code provides authoritative advice on classification, stowage, segregation, packing, labelling, terminology and emergency response action.
Polymerizing substances
Amendment 38-16 contains many important changes, including the insertion of a new category of Class 4.1 dangerous goods ‘Polymerizing substances and mixtures (stabilised)’.
A new definition states ‘Polymerizing substances are substances which, without stabilization, are liable to undergo a strongly exothermic reaction resulting in the formation of larger molecules or resulting in the formation of polymers under conditions normally encountered in transport’. The revised Code states that such polymerizing substances should be classified when:
– their self-accelerating polymerization temperature (SAPT) is 75 degrees C or less under the conditions (with or without chemical stabilization as offered for transport) and in the packaging, IBC or portable tank in which the substance or mixture is to be transported;
– they exhibit a heat of reaction on more than 300 J/g and
– they do not meet any other criteria for inclusion in Classes 1 to 8.
Furthermore, if the SAPT is 50 degrees or less then they are subject to temperature control. Thus, substances that satisfy these requirements, but have hitherto been classified as Class 9 or unregulated will now need to be classified as Class 4.1 (there are four new UN numbers to accommodate this).
Importantly, there is an additional Special Provision, SP386, which has been assigned to certain other classified cargoes (in addition to these new Class 4.1 entries), going into further detail about temperature control and stipulating that the person offering the substance for shipment must ensure that the level of stabilization is sufficient to prevent the substance in the packaging, IBC or tank from dangerous polymerization at a bulk mean temperature of 50 degrees C or 45 degrees for a portable tank.
There are related requirements that such cargoes be stowed on deck (stowage category D) and protected from heat. The conditions anticipated during the voyage are important, since exposure to sunlight can significantly raise the ambient temperature in the container. It is thought that such substances have contributed to serious shipboard accidents in recent times and careful planning of the stowage position and ongoing monitoring of the unit are vital.
For gases (class 2), flammable liquids (class 3), toxics (class 6.1) and corrosives (class 8) there are new requirements regarding not accepting chemically unstable substances (such as those subject to polymerization) unless precautions have been to taken to prevent such polymerization (or decomposition) under normal transport conditions, further emphasising the potential dangerous consequences if appropriate measures have not been taken.
Further information about the changes brought in with the latest amendment can be sourced from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) itself.
CTU Code linked
Finally, the IMDG Code now contains multiple references to the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code). The product of a group of experts, including TT Club, ICHCA, GSF and WSC, amongst others, the CTU Code is an important framework providing advice and information to anyone involved in freight transport. If cargo is not packed and secured in an appropriate manner the consequences can be severe, compounding any shortfall in correct classification or handling of dangerous goods.
Whilst the CTU Code itself is not mandatory, by referencing it in the IMDG Code, which is mandatory, makes knowledge of the CTU Code’s contents and the application of its precepts vital.
(source http://www.lloydsloadinglist.com/freight-directory/letters/New-year-new-DG-code/68398.htm#.WH3a9-kzWUk)