Air Sea Containers:  A Distributor of IMO Manuals

IMDG Code

For the past twenty years, you have been working as a chemicals distribution manager for a small company specializing in removing chemicals from gas lines.  The chemicals that you provide are pivotal to the success of all the plants that are in various states; built from the pre-commissioning and commissioning phases (where the equipment is tested for functionality and errors (if any) are corrected) to the decommissioning phase where the unit is shut down and dismantled and the chemicals are either returned or destroyed.  Any of the spent chemicals are either shipped to a recycling plant or buried because all the chemicals that are involved in your company’s processes are earth friendly.  Up until this point, you have been relying on the railways to deliver your cargo to your clients, because they were domestic.

The farthest your chemicals shipped was to California, at a remote gas refinery.  It was only a few moments ago that you were informed that your company will be dealing with international clientele, starting with a large chemical delivery to Japan.  Not only is this delivery large, but it is the largest chemical delivery that your company has ever experienced.  You aren’t even sure if your group will be able to produce the right amount of chemicals.  This change isn’t completely unwelcomed, however, whenever you have new clients there are always obstacles to overcome.

First and foremost, there is a language barrier, which after hiring a reliable translation service will solve itself.  Second is securing a reliable staging area and shipyard.  One call to your procurement agent will help take that off your plate.  The final item is one of the most important: insuring that you are up to date on the codes and regulations for shipping these chemicals.  We can help you out on the last part: Air Sea Containers is a distributor of International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code Manuals.

What is the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code?


Generally speaking the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code or IMDG Code is a set of universal guidelines to ship hazardous or dangerous goods via boat.  These guidelines were created and are enforced to help protect a ship’s crew from whatever chemicals are onboard with them and is oftentimes heard in conjunction with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78).  The IMDG Code covers: how to label your chemical drums; a glossary of various terminology; and how to mark your chemicals so then the crewmen understand what contents reside inside the drum; plus much more.  As luck would have it, the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code has just been updated to its 37th Edition, which goes into effect on January 1, 2016, with optional compliance currently accepted.

What New Material and Revisions have been Implemented in the 37th Edition of the IMDG Code?


Even though it seems like the most current version of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code just came out (the 36th Edition of the IMDG Code was dated 2012, however its mandatory implementation date was January of 2014), this revised and updated version has a few new items do discuss and cover.

One of the most important revisions is the implementation of a new revision of IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material – 2012 Edition (IAEA Safety Standards Series SSR-6), which supersedes the IAEA 2009 Edition.  This is most beneficial to shippers and handlers of Class 7 goods.  Another significant change is the addition of two columns (16a and 16b) on the Dangers Goods List (DGL), which incorporates coding for Stowage and Handling (column 16a) as well as Segregation (column 16b) in lieu of descriptions.  Other changes on the DGL include but are not limited to:  asbestos shipping codes; division of the capacitor entry; a series of shipping names for adsorbed gases; and descriptors for safety devices.  In addition to the DGL changes, special provisions have been created for shipping common items.

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code Manuals Available in Various Formats


If you are in the business, we know that you will want to have your IMDG Manuals in various formats to accommodate your office’s users.  Because the audience for this specific code is so varied, we can offer you the following formats for your use.

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code Downloadable:

If you are in the middle of trying to ship your chemicals out to sea in a hurry, the last thing you want to haul along with you is a large book (or in the 2014 codes it will be two large books) out into the field when you could download them to your tablet.  This makes your manual portable and easy to store in luggage (if you are traveling).

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code Hardcover Book:

When you are in a warehouse, you need to have a book that is durable and ready for wear and tear.  An IMDG hardcover manual is perfect to meet these needs.  It won’t get misplaced like paperbacks tend to and it will be readily available for those that are not technically savvy.

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code Paperback Book:

If you are in an office environment and you are not and probably will not plan on seeing the staging area and warehouse where your chemicals will be stored, the IMDG paperback book is the perfect choice for you.  You are the paper shuffler that makes sure that each barrel of chemicals is labeled correctly, packed correctly, and shipped correctly.  This is a perfect reference book as you make sure that everything sails smoothly.

 

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