2 Targeting methodology and undeclared dangerous goods
Clasification Society 2023 - Version 9.37
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1442 – Inspection Programmes for Cargo Transport Units Carrying Dangerous Goods – (1 June 2012) - Annex 1 – Guidelines for the Implementation of the Inspection of Cargo Transport Units - 2 Targeting methodology and undeclared dangerous goods

2 Targeting methodology and undeclared dangerous goods

  2.1 Commensurate with available resources, Member Governments are encouraged to inspect a representative number of CTUs carrying dangerous goods by sea. CTUs should be targeted for inspection with consideration given to risk-based principles. For example, Member Governments should focus their inspection resources on those shipments that have historically presented the greatest safety risk. Targeting criteria could also assist Member Governments in addressing dangerous goods being shipped in an undeclared manner.

  2.2 The presence of undeclared dangerous goods should not be underestimated. Undeclared dangerous goods can occur when hazardous materials are placed within a CTU with no markings to indicate the presence of dangerous goods, and when required documents fail to declare the presence of dangerous goods or are missing altogether.

  • .1 A targeted selection method should be used to identify general cargo CTUs with a higher probability of carrying undeclared hazardous materials. The inspection of general cargo transport units should complement those performed on CTUs with declared dangerous goods; and

  • .2 Methods for tracking parties responsible for repeatedly violate dangerous goods shipping standards are encouraged.

  • .3 Reporting between competent authorities in cases where the safety of the transport of dangerous goods is compromised as a result of serious or repeated infringements by an enterprise which has its headquarters on the territory of another competent authority is strongly encouraged.

  2.3 Actions undertaken upon discovery of a CTU with a deficiency may include placing the cargo on hold, or putting the CTU out of service, and/or providing appropriate penalty actions against those responsible under the IMDG Code, CSC and/or applicable national legislation, including, but not limited to reporting the non-compliance to the competent authority of the State in which the infringing enterprise has its headquarters, as appropriate.


Copyright 2022 Clasification Society Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasification Society Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasification Society'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasification Society entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.