1

MARINE GUIDANCE NOTE

MGN 159 (M)
1
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Marine
Pollutants in Packaged Form on Ships in accordance
with Amendment 30-00 to the International Maritime
Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
Notice to Ship Operators, Agents, Charterers, Managers, Masters, Ships Officers, Cargo
Packers, Cargo Consolidators, Hauliers, Freight Forwarders, Shippers, Port Authorities and
Terminal Operators.
This Notice supersedes MGN 100 & MGN 119 and takes immediate effect.
Summary
The purpose of this notice is:
In conjunction with MSN 1755 to announce the entry into force of the 30th Amendment to the
International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code (which is effective from 1 January 2001
with a 12 month transitional period ending on 31 December 2001).
To provide a summary of the main changes to the IMDG Code introduced by Amendment 30.
To advise on the requirements for the implementation of changes to the transportation
requirements for Class 7.
1. The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods
and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997
came into force on 1 November 1997. These
Regulations implement Chapter VII of the
International Convention for the Safety of Life
at Sea (SOLAS), the requirements of Annex III
of the International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships
(MARPOL) and Article 4 of EC Council
Directive No. 93/75/EEC. For dangerous
goods and marine pollutants in packaged
form these conventions are administered
through the provisions of the IMDG Code.
The provisions of the Regulations and the
Code apply to all United Kingdom ships and
all ships within United Kingdom waters on
both international voyages and non-
international voyages.
2. The information contained within the IMDG
Code and its Supplement is directed at the
mariner, the shipping industry, ports
industry, hauliers and the consignor. Its
provisions affect industries and services from
manufacturer to consignee. The new Code
reflects increasing harmonization of transport
requirements within the United Nations
Committees on the Transport of Dangerous
Goods, and hence achieves greater uniformity
between the requirements of the different
modes of transport.
3. The current valid edition of the IMDG Code is
the 1994 Consolidated Edition, incorporating
Amendments 28 & 29, published by the
International Maritime Organization (IMO),
or between 1 January 2001 and 31 December
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2001 and thereafter the 2000 Edition of the
IMDG Code incorporating Amendment 30.
The incorporation of future editions or
amendments of the IMDG Code into United
Kingdom legislation will be announced by the
issue of a Merchant Shipping Notice under
Regulation 2(1) of the 1997 Regulations.
4. Annex 1 to this Notice gives advice on the
main changes introduced by amendment 30
and Annex 2 gives general advice on certain
aspects of the IMDG Code.
5. The regulations for the safe transport of
radioactive materials were amended in 1996
(ST 1) and reissued as TS-R-1(ST-1 Revised).
The transition from the previous regulations
of 1985 (SS6) is planned for 2001. In order to
ensure harmonization with other modes it is
strongly recommended that the new
requirements in the 2000 Edition pertaining
to Class 7 are implemented only from
1 January 2002.
6. In a number of places in the IMDG Code,
Competent Authorities are given express
permission to vary Code provisions on
general standards to be followed. When this is
done and is properly authorized by a
Competent Authority, Chapter 7.9 of the Code
gives assurance that such Approvals will be
fully acceptable in other countries. In the
United Kingdom such Competent Authority
Approvals are dealt with on a case by case
basis, by the Maritime and Coastguard
Agency (MCA). However, the Agency has
issued a small number of General Approvals
and these are reproduced in this notice
(Annex 2).
7. The period of validity of ad hoc approvals will
vary, but the maximum period will not exceed
five years from the date of issue. United
Kingdom competent authority approvals issued
by MCA that do not state a validity period or
that are over 5 years old, should not be accepted
as providing a valid MCA approval.
8. The United Kingdom Maritime and
Coastguard Agency (MCA) is the successor to
the Marine Safety Agency (MSA). Documents
with the heading MSA or which refer to MSA
should be considered as equivalent to those
issued by MCA.
9. A copy of an MCA approval should
accompany the shipment or, where it is part
of general legislation, there should be some
reference to where the approval can be found
inserted in the Dangerous Goods Note,
including under which competent authority it
is issued e. g. this MGN. Approvals are
normally valid for transport to the eventual
port of destination and for the return journey
in the empty, unclean condition.
10. Advice on the carriage of dangerous goods
by sea may be obtained from the address
shown below.
11. This amendment has been a maj or
reformatting exercise with the possibility of
errata and technical errors still being present.
The International Maritime Organization have
issued a circular covering these possibilities.
The circular is reproduced as Annex 3.
Currently there have been 3 errata and
corrigenda issued by the IMO. These are
reproduced as Annex 4. Any observations on
the format and possible errors in the Code
should be notified to the address given below.
Environment and Cargo Safety Branch
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Spring Place,
105 Commercial Road,
SouthamptonSO15 1EG
Tel: 023 80 329 182
Fax: 023 80 329 204
E-mail: Bryan_hopkins@mcga.gov.uk
Selwyn_capstick@mcga.gov.uk
File reference MS 116_032_0001
February 2001
An executive agency of the Department of the
Environment, Transport and the Regions
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ANNEX 1
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MAIN CHANGES IN AMENDMENT 30-00 TO THE
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME DANGEROUS GOODS (IMDG) CODE
This annex is intended as an introduction to and brief summary of the main changes to the IMDG Code
introduced by the 30th Amendment and should therefore be read in conjunction with the changes to the
Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997 introduced by MSN 1755.
Amendment 30 is in a completely new format and is titled IMDG Code 2000 Edition (ISBN 92 801 5090-1
[IMO 200E]). It is a two-volume paper bound publication with an additional supplement (also available
on CD) and the layout follows the United Nations Model Regulations on the Transport of dangerous
Goods. The European regulations for transport of dangerous goods by road and rail are also being
amended to align more closely with the UN Model Regulations.
IMDG Code 2000 Edition has seven sections:
Part 1 General Provisions, Definitions and Training
Part 2 Classification
In class 3 the subdivisions have been dropped.
Part 3 Dangerous Goods List and Limited Quantities Exceptions
Part 4 Packing and Tank Provisions
There is new concept of packaging called Large Packagings
The IMO tank types have been replaced but there is 10 year period of grace.
Part 5 Consignment Procedures
Solid bulk materials possessing chemical hazards.
Subsidiary risk label/placards should not have the class/subdivision number at the
bottom of the diamond.
A new label/placard for class 7
Part 6 Construction and testing of packagings, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs),
large packagings, portable tanks and road tank vehicles.
Part 7 Requirements concerning transport operations
Volume 2 consists of Part 3 of the Code and it is recommended that the guidance on
the structure of the Dangerous Goods List (DGL) be read with care.
New entries have been introduced for:
UN0501 PROPELLANT, SOLID 1.4C
UN0502 ROCKETS with inert head 1.2C
UN0503 AIR BAG INFLATORS, PYROTECHNIC or AIR BAG MODULES,
PYROTECHNIC or SEAT-BELT PRETENSIONERS, PYROTECHNIC 1.4G
UN0504 1H-TETRAZOLE 1.1D
UN1372 FIBRES, ANIMAL or FIBRES, VEGETABLE burnt, wet or damp 4.2
UN1387 WOOL WASTE, WET 4.2
UN2911 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, EXCEPTED PACKAGE-INSTRUMENTS or ARTICLES 7
4
UN2915 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE A PACKAGE, non-special form, non fissile or
fissile-excepted 7
UN2916 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE B (U) PACKAGE, non-fissile or fissile-excepted 7
UN2917 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE B (M) PACKAGE, non-fissile or fissile-excepted 7
UN2919 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TRANSPORTED UNDER SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
non fissile or fissile-excepted 7
UN3066 PAINT (including paint, lacquer, enamel, stain, shellac, varnish, polish, liquid filler,
and liquid lacquer base) or PAINT RELATED MATERIAL (including paint thinning
or reducing compound) 8
UN3097 FLAMMABLE SOLID, OXIDIZING, N.O.S. 4.1
UN3100 OXIDIZING SOLID, SELF-HEATING, N.O.S. 5.1
UN3121 OXIDIZING SOLID, WATER-REACTIVE, N.O.S. 5.1
UN3127 SELF-HEATING SOLID, OXIDIZING, N.O.S. 4.2
UN3132 WATER-REACTIVE SOLID, FLAMMABLE, N.O.S. 4.3
UN3133 WATER-REACTIVE SOLID, OXIDIZING, N.O.S. 4.3
UN3135 WATER-REACTIVE SOLID, SELF-HEATING, N.O.S. 4.3
UN3137 OXIDIZING SOLID, FLAMMABLE, N.O.S. 5.1
UN3321 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, LOW SPECIFIC ACTIVITY (LSA-II),
non fissile or fissile excepted 7
UN3322 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, LOW SPECIFIC ACTIVITY (LSA-III),
non fissile or fissile excepted 7
UN3323 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE C PACKAGE 7
Non-fissile or fissile excepted
UN3324 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, LOW SPECIFIC ACTIVITY (LSA-II), FISSILE 7
UN3325 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, LOW SPECIFIC ACTIVITY (LSA-III), FISSILE 7
UN3326 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, SURFACE CONTAMINATED OBJECTS
(SCO-1 or SCO-II), FISSILE 7
UN3327 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE A PACKAGE, FISSILE, non-special form 7
UN3328 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE B(U) PACKAGE, FISSILE 7
UN3329 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE B(M) PACKAGE, FISSILE 7
UN3330 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE C PACKAGE, FISSILE 7
UN3331 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TRANSPORTED UNDER SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT,
FISSILE 7
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UN3332 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL,TYPE A PACKAGE, SPECIAL FORM
non-fissile or fissile excepted 7
UN3333 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE A PACKAGE, SPECIAL FORM, FISSILE 7
UN3357 NITROGLYCERIN MIXTURE, DESENSITIZED, LIQUID, N.O.S.
with not more than 30% nitroglycerin by mass 3
UN3358 REFRIGERATING MACHINES containing flammable, non-toxic, liquefied gas 2.1
UN3359 CARGO TRANSPORT UNIT UNDER FUMIGATION 9
UN3360 FIBRES, VEGETABLE, DRY 4.1
UN3363 DANGEROUS GOODS IN MACHINERY or DANGEROUS GOODS IN APPARATUS 9
Old entries withdrawn:
UN2530 ISOBUTYRIC ANHYDRIDE (high flashpoint group) 3
The following have been replaced by new UN numbers in class 7
UN2918 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, FISSILE, N.O.S. 7
UN2974 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, SPECIAL FORM, N.O.S.
- in type A package
- in Type B(U) package
- in Type B(M) package
- under special arrangement 7
UN2975 THORIUM METAL, PYROPHORIC 7
UN2976 THORIUM NITRATE, SOLID 7
UN2979 URANIUM METAL, PYROPHORIC 7
UN2980 URANYL NITRATE HEXAHYDRATE SOLUTION 7
UN2981 URANYL NITRATE, SOLID 7
UN2982 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, N.O.S. 7
There are differences between the IMO packing instruction maximum capacities and those of other
modes. For transport by sea the IMDG Code limits apply.
Conditions of carriage for the various forms of calcium hypochlorite have been amended to align with
MSC Circular 963, hence incorporating the advice given in MGN 119.
Proper Shipping Name
Chapter 3.1.2 concerns the use of proper shipping names (PSNs) with reference to the DGL (3.2) and the
Index. Paragraph 3.1.2.1 gives details on the use of alternative PSNs however some clarification is
needed.
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Where an entry in the DGL or the Index consists of the Proper Shipping Name followed by another
name, in uppercase, in brackets the latter is an alternative PSN, not part of the 1st. Consignors can use
either name on labelling and documentation but should not give both.
ANNEX 2
GENERAL ADVICE AND CARRIAGE APPROVALS
1. General Guidance
Safety Precautions and Bilge Pumping Arrangements
In ships constructed before 1st September 1984; to which the special requirements for ships carrying
dangerous goods, contained in the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Regulations 1998, do NOT
apply; it is recommended that the bilge pumping system should be designed to prevent inadvertent
pumping of flammable liquids having a flashpoint below 23

C (closed cup) or toxic liquids, through

machinery space piping or pumps. Where large quantities of these goods are carried consideration
should be given to the provision of additional means of draining the cargo space containing the goods.
The MCA will accept blanking off of the bilge suctions leading to the machinery space pumps. When
150 tonnes or more of toxic cargo or of flammable cargo having a flashpoint below 23

C (closed cup) is
carried, alternative means of draining the compartment should be provided; e.g. by an ejector system or
a suitable pump, certified safe for flammable atmospheres, located in the hold space.
Non-International Standards
Non-international cargo-passenger ferry voyages
Due to variations in local operating conditions and ship construction, cargo-passenger ferries operating
within the United Kingdom or between the mainland of Britain and outlying islands may be permitted
some specified alternatives to the conditions of the IMDG Code with the agreement of the MCA.
Shippers should contact local ferry operators for details of the service and any local conditions that may
apply (except as below).
UN 3291, CLINICAL WASTE, UNSPECIFIED, N.O.S. or (BIO) MEDICAL WASTE, N.O.S.,
or REGULATED MEDICAL WASTE, N.O.S., CLASS 6.2, PG II
(Where the goods involved are limited to clinical waste derived from medical treatment of animals or humans,
shipped from hospitals, surgeries or clinics and destined for incineration).
For non-international voyages, as an alternative to the packaging standards specified in the Dangerous
Goods List (P621, LP 621 and IBC 620) in the IMDG Code, the whole of the Health and Safety
Commission (HSC) document, The Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste should be complied with. This
includes both the packaging and procedures for handling. Where no other service exists other than on
board passenger ferries, stowage category A is approved, but away from living quarters and preferably
under deck. All other conditions of the IMDG Code shall apply to such goods, including the correct
labeling of the goods and placarding of cargo transport units.
Offshore Supply Vessels
For the purposes of this notice, Offshore Supply Vessels are those vessels which are primarily engaged
in the transport of stores, materials and equipment to and from mobile offshore drilling rigs, fixed and
floating platforms and other similar offshore installations on voyages between the United Kingdom and
the United Kingdom continental shelf.
By organizing the loading schedules for these vessels the shipper assumes a high degree of control and
responsibility for the cargo operation. All persons must ensure that correct segregation is at all times
achievable and that the master is given sufficient opportunity to reject dangerous substances or articles
before they are loaded on board by his being in receipt of the dangerous goods note. The guidance
contained in MGN 140 should be followed.
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Placarding
Packages and Cargo Transport Units containing dangerous goods are to be durably marked for carriage
by sea. Durably marked means that the label or other marking is such as to remain identifiable on
packages surviving at least three months immersion in the sea. The durability requirements for pressure
sensitive labels can be achieved through British Standard, BS5609: 1986 (British Standard Specification
for Printed Pressure-sensitive, Adhesive-coated Labels for Marine Use, including Requirements for
Label Base Material), which was published in December 1986.
There are occasions where the Code does not require labels or marks or where the regulation for other
modes requires additional labels or marks. Labels or marks required by other international or national
transport regulations are permitted provided that they cannot be confused with or conflict with any
markings prescribed by the Code because of their colour, design or shape.
Drums in Closed Transport Units (7.1.1.5.1)
The United Kingdom accepts the carriage of drums within closed transport units other than in an
upright position under the following conditions:
.1 For drums containing UN1649 MOTOR FUEL ANTI-KNOCK MIXTURE, where these drums are
heavy duty, exceeding the standards described in Annex I to the IMDG Code, have double valve
bungs, strengthened rolling hoops and are designed to be stowed on the roll; or
.2 Where the contents are poured into the packaging as a molten liquid, solidify and completely fill the
drum and remain solid for the whole period of the proposed transport journey.
.3 Other approvals may be considered on an ad-hoc basis for special circumstances or for the
construction of the drum.
Segregation
The classes for the purposes of applying the segregation requirements are those named in the table
given in chapter 7.2L1.16 of the IMDG Code. Note also the need to segregate for subsidiary risk. It will
not be possible to separately identify subsidiary risks from the labels/placards, only by reference to the
Dangerous Goods List.
Goods, which should be stowed away from each other, should not be stowed in the same cargo
transport unit unless prior approval is obtained from the MCA.
Approvals for Transport of Dangerous Goods in Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs)
Competent authority approval is required for the shipment of some goods in IBCs. Prior to shipment,
the Dangerous Goods List in Volume 2 of the 2000 Edition of the IMDG Code should always be
consulted. Only those goods listed in the DGL may be shipped by sea and for some of the goods listed,
the Code either limits the type of IBC that may be used or prescribes additional safety conditions. In
some cases the IMDG Code demands competent authority approval for the transport of dangerous
goods by sea in IBCs. In such cases, the shipper must ensure that a substance which, in its pure form,
would not be permitted in an IBC, is not offered for shipment as part of a mixture or a preparation in
such a concentration that would be in contravention of the standards laid down in the Code.
Requests for approval must be received and the approval issued prior to the goods being offered for
shipment. Early applications will avoid unnecessary delay. For IBC approvals, such requests should be
made by completion of an MCA request form, which will be forwarded, on application to the MCA. The
MCA reserves the right to request further detailed information.
The MCA will seek to ensure that the shipper has carried out correct classification procedures and that
the packaging is suitable for the goods that are to be contained within it. The shipper is responsible for
defining correct safety procedures.
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All other IMDG Code requirements not subject to the approval shall be complied with. The MCA may
attach additional conditions to such approvals as are deemed appropriate to the maintenance of safety
standards onboard ships.
A copy of an approval should accompany the shipment, or, where it is part of general legislation, there
should be some reference to where the approval can be found and under which authority it is issued.
Approvals are normally valid for transport to the eventual destination and for the return journey in the
empty, uncleaned condition.
Transport of Wastes (Chapter 7.8)
Control over transboundary movement of wastes is exercised by competent authorities which may not
be the same as those authorities dealing with safe transport. In the United Kingdom these approvals are
controlled by three agencies.
The Environment Agency covers England and Wales (0161 973 2237), the Scottish Environment
Protection Agency (0131 449 7296) and the Environment and Heritage Service (02890 254833) govern
Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. IMDG Code provisions still apply to these shipments
including any requirement for marine transport competent authority approval (MCA for shipments
departing from the United Kingdom).
Class 2
Introduction
The IMDG Code contains general recommendations for the carriage of substances of this class and the
following paragraphs are intended as amplification and indications of acceptable standards in respect of:
.1 receptacles;
.2 filling requirements;
.3 reference temperatures.
Receptacles
The MCA accepts:
.1 cylinders of carbon steel, special steel or aluminum alloys designed, manufactured, tested and
maintained in accordance with BS 5045 and BS 5430;
.2 steel cylinders made to the superseded standards BS 399; 400; 401; 1045; 1287; 1288; and HO S, and
aluminum cylinders made to HOAL 4 and maintained in accordance with the appropriate parts
of BS 5430;
.3 steel cylinders designed, manufactured, tested and maintained in accordance with the annex of
directives 84/525/EEC and 84/527/EEC and aluminum cylinders designed, manufactured, tested
and maintained in accordance with 84/526/EEC are also acceptable.
Details of special receptacles of steel, copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy and cylinders to
standards other than those referred to above should be submitted to the MCA for consideration
When aluminum alloy cylinders are offered for shipment they should be suitably overpacked or carried
in such a way that they are not affected by contact with dissimilar metals.
Foreign cylinders offered abroad for shipment may be accepted provided they comply with the
requirements of the national maritime administration of the country in which they are offered.
Shippers are advised that the import into the United Kingdom of foreign cylinders containing
substances of class 2 may be subject to domestic legislation.
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Filling Requirements
The IMDG Code gives general guidance only with respect to the filling of receptacles although filling
limits are specified in Chapter 4.2 for portable tanks and Chapter 4.1 for other packagings. Other
receptacles should be treated inaccordance with the following paragraphs:
Low pressure liquefiable gases
The test pressure of the receptacles shall be at least equal to the pressure of the contents at 70C reduced
by 0.1 MPa (1 Bar); the minimum test pressure required being, however, 1 MPa (10 Bar). The filling ratio
as defined in the IMDG Code shall not exceed either: 0.95 times the density of the liquid phase at 50C
or the filling ratio that would cause the vapour phase to disappear below 60C.
High pressure liquefiable gases
The degree of filling shall be such that the internal pressure at 65C does not exceed the test pressure of
the receptacles.
Permanent gases
The filling (charging) pressure at 15C shall not exceed 0.67 times the test pressure.
Reference Temperatures
Receptacles which are to be used in the United Kingdom coastal climatic area, which is defined as the
United Kingdom and the Irish Republic coastal waters, Irish Sea,North Channel and St Georges Channel
may be filled in accordance with the United Kingdom domestic requirements.
LIST OF OTHER CURRENT MERCHANT SHIPPING NOTICES (MSNs) AND MARINE GUIDANCE
NOTES (MGNs) RELEVANT TO SHIPPERS AND THE CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS IN
PACKAGED FORM
MSN 1445 Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/Ro) Ships: Stowage and Securing of Vehicles Code of Practice.
MSN 1614 Standard Format and Procedures for Ship Reporting, including Dangerous Goods,
Harmful Substances and/or Marine Pollutants.
MSN 1669 The Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Regulations 1998: Special fire Safety Measures for
Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods.
MSN 1705 Portable Tanks, Road Tank Vehicles and Rail Tank Wagons for the Carriage by Sea of
Liquid Dangerous Goods and Liquefied Gases.
MSN 1706 The Carriage of Military and Commercial Explosives.
MSN 1718 The Safe Use of Pesticides in Ships.
MSN 1741 Reporting Requirements for Ships Carrying Dangerous or Polluting Goods.
MGN 19 Ro-Ro Ships Vehicle Decks Accidents to Personnel, Passenger Access and the Carriage
of Motor Vehicles
MGN 21 Ro-Ro Ships The Carriage of Dangerous Goods in Ships with Ro Ro Cargo Spaces
MGN 36 Document of Compliance for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods in Packaged or Dry Bulk Form.
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MGN 37 The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997.
MGN 59 Special Requirements for the Transport of Heated Liquids and Powdery or Granulated
Materials in Portable Tanks.
MGN 86 Recommendations on the Safe use of Pesticides in Ships.
MGN 107 The Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes) Regulations.
MGN 140 Guidelines on Compliance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
for Offshore Support Vessels for the Carriage of Packaged Dangerous Goods on Open Decks
MGN 145 Unsafe Shipments of Gas Cylinders in Freight Containers
MGN 146 The Carriage of Packaged Cargo and Cargo Units
Other relevant publications:
Further advice on this subject and primarily for the information of surveyors will be contained in
The Carriage of Cargoes -Volume 1 The Carriage of Packaged Cargoes and Cargo Units Instructions
for the Guidance of Surveyors, currently being revised by the Stationery Office.
The Code of Practice on the Stowage and Securing of Vehicles on Ro/Ro Ships (HMSO ISBN 0-11-
550995-X) published by the DETR, covers health and safety matters in addition to guidance on the
stowage and securing of vehicles. A number of the references to legislation contained in the publication
are now out of date but the technical standards and guidance on health and safety matters are still valid.
The attention of shippers, packers, freight forwarders and carriers is further drawn to the HSE/MCA
publication Dangerous Goods in Cargo Transport Units Packing and carriage for transport by sea,
reference HS(G)78,1998. as guidance to procedures and responsibilities.
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ANNEX 3
MSC CIRCULAR 987
1. INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION
E
4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT
LONDON SE1 7SR
Telephone: 020 7735 7611
Fax: 020 7587 3210
Telex: 23588 IMOLDN G IM0
Ref. T3/1.02 MSC/Circ.987
20 December 2000
TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME DANGEROUS GOODS CODE
(IMDG CODE)
Amendment No. 30-2000 (Amendt. 30-00)
1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-second session (17 to 26 May 2000), adopted
Amendment No. 30-00 to the IMDG Code, as it had been agreed by the Sub-Committee on
Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC) at its fifth session (7 to 11 February 2000)
and finalized by the Sub-Committees Editorial and Technical Group (E & T Group) (see document
DSC 5/13/Add. L)
2 When adopting Amendment No. 30-00 to the 1MDG Code, the Committee agreed that the said
amendment should enter into force on 1 January 2001, with a twelve-month transitional period until
31 December 2001. This was done on the understanding that it was the prerogative of Governments
to implement amendments to the Code in whole or in part at any earlier date following circulation
of the adopted amendments by the Organization and that the Organization would be notified of any
such early implementation.
3 The afore-mentioned Amendment 30-00 has been prepared in the revised, reformatted and
harmonized form of the IMDG Code and follows, as has always been the practice, the UN
Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods which affect all modes of transport. Future
amendments to the IMDG Code will therefore be based, mutatis muntandis, on the model established
by Amendment 30-00.
4 Following information received recently, a number of inaccuracies have been identified with respect
to Amendment 30-00, which may be classified as:
- editorial;
- technical (relating to IMDG Code volumes 1 and 2);
- the new Medical First Aid Guide (MFAG); and
- consequential changes to the Supplement.
5 As far as the editorial inaccuracies are concerned, these have been identified in Volumes 1 and 2
of the Code and the Secretariat has issued the necessary errata and corrigenda for the widest
possible dissemination.
MSC/Circ.987
6 As far as inaccuracies of substance are concerned, these should be, based on proposals by Member
Governments and/or international organizations, verified by the E & T Group first before the DSC
Sub-Committee and eventually the MSC act on them and they are promulgated for the attention of
all concerned worldwide. Since the next session of the DSC Sub-Committee is scheduled to take
place in July 2001 and of the E & T Group in September 2001, the Chairman of the MSC, following
consultations with the Chairmen of the DSC Sub-Committee and the E & T Group, has decided that
information on the alleged accuracies should be brought to the attention of all parties concerned as
soon as possible.
7 This circular aims at serving this purpose and, until further advice, Member Governments are
invited to note the above and advise industry and users of the Code in its reformatted form, to use it
with due diligence, contacting, if necessary, the designated competent authorities and IMO for
further guidance. Until the matter is clarified, the earlier version of the IMDG Code, i.e. Amendment
29-98, may be used for guidance in interpreting Amendment 30-00.
8 Member Governments and international organizations concerned are invited to bring to the attention
of DSC 6 (16 to 20 July 2001) any provisions of the new Code which, in their judgement, require
clarification together with any proposals they may have on amendments that should be made.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Unfortunately due to their size, electronic copies of the IMDG Code 2000 Edition - Errata and
Corrigenda to Marine Guidance Note 159 (M) The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Marine
Pollutants in Packaged Form on Ships in accordance with Amendment 30-00 to the International
Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code is not supplied on this document. Should you wish to
obtain a copy please find the contact details of the Maritime Information Centre below:
Maritime Information Centre
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay G/03, Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG.
Tel: 023 8032 9297
Fax: 023 8032 9298
E-mail: mcamic@mcga.gov.uk