A Dangerous Goods Declaration is the shipper-provided document classifying hazardous cargo under the IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) Code before it’s accepted for loading.
What It Must Specify
- UN number — the unique four-digit identifier for the specific dangerous substance
- IMDG hazard class — which of the 9 hazard classes the substance falls under (explosives, gases, flammable liquids, etc.)
- Packing group — indicating the degree of danger within a class (I = greatest danger, III = least)
- Proper shipping name — the officially recognized name for the substance under IMDG
- Emergency response information — what to do in case of spill, fire, or exposure involving that specific cargo
Why the Ship Depends on This Declaration Being Accurate
Stowage, segregation from incompatible cargo, and emergency response planning all depend entirely on the declaration being accurate — a misdeclared or undeclared dangerous cargo has caused real, serious shipboard fires and casualties specifically because the crew didn’t know what they were actually carrying or how to respond to it.
Segregation Requirements
The IMDG Code specifies which hazard classes must be kept apart from each other during stowage — based on the declaration’s hazard class, the ship’s cargo planning must ensure incompatible substances aren’t stowed in a way that risks dangerous reaction if a container is breached.
Exam Relevance
Dangerous Goods Declaration requirements, IMDG Code classification, and segregation principles are core Cargo Work and Ship Knowledge topics in deck officer competency exams.