3.3 Considerations for specific dangerous cargoes
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3.3 Considerations for specific dangerous cargoes

Parent topic: 3 Warehouses, Terminal Areas and Infrastructure

3.3.1 Substances harmful to the aquatic environment

  3.3.1.1 Where practicable, wherever such substances are present in the port area, suitable means should be used to prevent these substances entering into the soil, water areas or drainage systems. This also applies to pipe and conveyor bridges.

3.3.1.1 It may be impracticable to seal the complete port area to prevent substances harmful to the aquatic environment entering the soil.

However, if there are areas where only specific types of cargo, e.g., bulk liquids, are handled or kept, the ground should be sealed. This may not be practicable in existing ports. In other areas other means, such as absorbents, should be available for use in case of an accidental spillage. To prevent harmful substances entering into the drainage systems, drain openings should be closed by means of special covers during the handling of such cargoes.

  3.3.1.2 Whenever practicable, drainage systems should be furnished with shut-off valves, sumps or basins and shore discharge facilities for contaminated water.

  3.3.1.3 Whenever practicable, such areas should be separated by containment walls, bunds or sills.

3.3.2 Explosives

  3.3.2.1 Explosives should not be permitted to enter the port area unless the regulatory authority has granted permission to handle explosives. This should include explosives in transit.

3.3.2.1 Class-1 cargoes other than division 1.4S should only be allowed to enter the port area for direct transport to or from ships (import and export). However, situations may arise where, despite all the precautions taken, these cargoes have to be kept in the port area for several hours. In such situations a special site should be available for such short-term keeping.

Example 3

An example of such a special facility might be a bunker like structure which:

.1 consists of an area surrounded on three sides by a double steel pile wall, filled with sand;

.2 has on its fourth side a double locked steel door;

.3 is without a roof;

.4 is accessible by road and rail;

.5 has a sprinkler system installed;

.6 has a storage tank underneath with sufficient capacity of collecting contaminated water; and

.7 has an office container next to it with communication facilities provided for the watchmen, who should be present around the clock when cargo is inside the bunker.

Example 4

Another example would be to take the cargo to an isolated place which is secure.

  3.3.2.2 Where necessary and permitted by the regulatory authority a special site with suitable protection and with access by road and rail should be provided for the yard placement or storage location of explosives.

  3.3.2.3 Any such site should be fenced off to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons and should have facilities for watchmen, including adequate means of communications.

  3.3.2.4 Items for consideration by the regulatory authority in connection with the handling of explosives in ports are set out in annex 2.

3.3.3 Temperature-controlled dangerous cargoes

  3.3.3.1 Where necessary, special areas, with shore facilities for connecting temperature-controlled cargo transport units to shore utilities should be provided. The facilities should include back-up systems.

3.3.3.1 Certain dangerous cargoes such as self-reactive substances (class 4.1), organic peroxides (class 5.2) and related substances need to be transported and handled under temperature control provisions specified in chapters 2.4, 2.5 and 7.7 of the IMDG Code. These chapters provide information on their control temperature and emergency temperature and methods of temperature control. Some infectious substances (class 6.2) shall also be transported and handled under special temperature control provisions which are required for their safe and successful delivery from a consignor to a consignee.

This provides guidance to port authorities/berth operators if such cargoes have to be kept for short periods in a port area.

Some dangerous cargoes are transported under controlled temperature or are stabilized by temperature control for quality assurance purposes rather than for safety purposes.

It is recommended that direct delivery for loading or discharging of such cargoes should be arranged particularly if they are in cargo transport units. Where this is not possible, ports should designate special areas or sheds where these cargoes can be kept. These areas or sheds should have facilities, including back-up systems, for connecting temperature controlled cargo transport units to shore power supplies.

Certain dangerous cargoes may be transported in cargo transport units of a type refrigerated by liquid or solid refrigerants, such as solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) or liquid nitrogen. In such cases sufficient refrigerant, with a margin for reasonable delays, should be carried in or with the cargo transport unit. Neither liquid oxygen nor liquid air should be used as a refrigerant. In the case of carbon dioxide, the cargo transport unit shall be marked in accordance with the relevant special provision in the IMDG Code.

Temperature-controlled dangerous cargoes, being loaded in insulated, refrigerated and mechanically refrigerated vehicles, may be transported by ships if these vehicles conform to the provisions of sections 7.7.3, 7.7.4 and 7.7.5, as appropriate, of chapter 7.7 of the IMDG Code.

Less stringent means of temperature control may be used or artificial refrigeration may be dispensed with by the written approval of the competent authority, during the transport and handling of such dangerous cargoes at low ambient temperatures or during short international voyages.

Because of the properties of this type of dangerous cargo (some may require explosive subsidiary risk labelling), it is necessary to control the temperature of any cargo transport unit to determine if dual refrigerating units may be required. It may be necessary to implement emergency procedures (e.g., disposal of packages) if the specified temperature of the unit, the emergency temperature, is reached. This is particularly important for ports in tropical zones in which the need for an open-sided shed for the keeping of such units should be considered.

3.3.4 Radioactive material

  3.3.4.1 Where necessary, special areas, which include buildings built in accordance with international safety standards, should be provided for radioactive material.

3.3.4.1 =

Normally radioactive material (dangerous goods of class 7 covered by chapter 2.7 of the IMDG Code) should only be allowed to enter the port for direct transhipment. If they have to be kept in the port area for several hours special facilities should be provided. An additional high fence at an adequate distance could provide additional safety and security.

  3.3.4.2 Any such areas should be secured to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons.

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