7.1 General stowage provisions

7.1.1 Introduction

This chapter contains the general provisions for the stowage of dangerous goods in all types of ships. Specific provisions applicable to, containerships, ro-ro ships, general cargo ships and barge-carrying ships, are stipulated in chapters 7.4 to 7.7.


7.1.2 Definitions

Note: The term "magazine" is no longer used in the context of the IMDG Code. A magazine that is not a fixed part of the ship shall meet the provisions for a closed cargo transport unit for class 1 (see 7.1.2). A magazine that is a fixed part of the ship such as compartment, below deck area or hold shall meet the provisions of 7.6.2.4.

Clear of living quarters means that packages or cargo transport units shall be stowed in a minimum distance of 3 m from accommodation, air intakes, machinery spaces and other enclosed work areas.

Closed cargo transport unit for class 1 means a unit which fully encloses the contents by permanent structures, can be secured to the ship's structure and is, except for division 1.4, structurally serviceable as defined in this section. Cargo transport units with fabric sides or tops are not closed cargo transport units. The floor of any closed cargo transport unit shall either be constructed of wood, close-boarded, or so arranged that goods are stowed on sparred gratings, wooden pallets or dunnage.

Combustible material means material which may or may not be dangerous goods but which is easily ignited and supports combustion. Examples of combustible materials include wood, paper, straw, vegetable fibres, products made from such materials, coal, lubricants, and oils. This definition does not apply to packaging material or dunnage.

Potential sources of ignition means, but is not limited to, open fires, machinery exhausts, galley uptakes, electrical outlets and electrical equipment including those on refrigerated or heated cargo transport units unless they are of certified safe type*.

* For cargo spaces, refer to SOLAS II-2/19.3.2 and for refrigerated or heated cargo transport units refer to Recommendation published by the international Electrotechnical Commission, in particular IEC 60079.

Protected from sources of heat means that packages and cargo transport units shall be stowed at least 2.4 m from heated ship structures, where the surface temperature is liable to exceed 55°C. Examples of heated structures are steam pipes, heating coils, top or side walls of heated fuel and cargo tanks, and bulkheads of machinery spaces. In addition, packages not loaded inside a cargo transport unit and stowed on deck shall be shaded from direct sunlight. The surface of a cargo transport unit can heat rapidly when in direct sunlight in nearly windless conditions and the cargo may also become heated. Depending on the nature of the goods in the cargo transport unit and the planned voyage precautions shall be taken to ensure that exposure to direct sunlight is reduced.

Stowage means the proper placement of dangerous goods on board a ship in order to ensure safety and environmental protection during transport.

Stowage on deck means stowage on the weather deck. For open ro-ro cargo spaces see 7.5.2.6.

Stowage under deck means any stowage that is not on the weather deck. For hatchless containerships see 7.4.2.1.

Structurally serviceable for class 1 means, the cargo transport unit shall not have major defects in its structural components, e.g. top and bottom rails, top and bottom end rails, door sill and header, floor cross-members, corner posts, and corner fittings in a freight container. Major defects are: dents or bends in the structural members greater than 19 mm in depth, regardless of length; cracks or breaks in structural members; more than one splice (e.g. a lapped splice) in top or bottom end rails or door headers; more than two splices in any one top or bottom side rail or any splice in a door sill or corner post; door hinges and hardware that are seized, twisted, broken, missing or otherwise inoperative; gaskets and seals that do not seal; or, for freight containers, any distortion of the overall configuration great enough to prevent proper alignment of handling equipment, mounting and securing on chassis or vehicle, or insertion into ship's cells. In addition, deterioration in any component of the cargo transport unit, regardless of the material of construction, such as rusted-out metal in sidewalls or disintegrated fiberglass, is unacceptable. Normal wear, however, including oxidation (rust), slight dents and scratches and other damage that does not affect serviceability or the weathertight integrity of the units, is acceptable.


7.1.4 Special stowage provisions

7.1.4.1 Stowage of empty uncleaned packagings, including IBCs and large packagings.

Notwithstanding the stowage provisions given in the Dangerous Goods List, empty uncleaned packagings, including IBCs and large packagings, which shall be stowed on deck only when full may be stowed on deck or under deck in a mechanically ventilated cargo space. However, empty uncleaned pressure receptacles which carry a label of class 2.3 shall be stowed on deck only (see also 4.1.1.11) and waste aerosols shall only be stowed according to column 16a of the Dangerous Goods List.


7.1.4.2 Stowage of marine pollutants and infectious substances of UN 2814, UN 2900 and UN 3549

Where stowage is permitted on deck or under deck, under deck stowage is preferred. Where stowage on deck only is required, preference shall be given to stowage on well-protected decks or to stowage inboard in sheltered areas of exposed decks.


7.1.4.3 Stowage of limited quantities and excepted quantities

For the stowage of limited quantities and excepted quantities see sections 3.4 and 3.5.


7.1.4.4 Stowage of goods of class 1

7.1.4.4.1 In cargo ships of 500 gross tons or over and passenger ships constructed before 1 September 1984 and in cargo ships of less than 500 gross tons constructed before 1 February 1992, goods of class 1 with the exception of division 1.4, compatibility group S, shall be stowed on deck only, unless otherwise approved by the Administration.

7.1.4.4.2 Goods of class 1 with the exception of division 1.4 shall be stowed not less than a horizontal distance of 12m from living quarters, life-saving appliances * and areas where the ship's passengers can access without any  authorization or limitation.

7.1.4.4.3 Goods of class 1 with the exception of division 1.4 shall be not be positioned closer to the ship's side than a distance equal to one eighth of the beam or 2.4 m, whichever is the lesser.

7.1.4.4.4 Goods of class 1 shall not be stowed within a horizontal distance of 6 m from potential sources of ignition.

7.1.4.4.5 Transport to or from offshore oil platforms, mobile offshore drilling units and other offshore installations

Notwithstanding the stowage category indicated in column 16a of the Dangerous Goods List, UN 0124 JET PERFORATING GUNS, CHARGED, and UN 0494 JET PERFORATING GUNS, CHARGED, transported to or from offshore oil platforms, mobile offshore drilling units and other offshore installations may be stowed on deck in offshore well tool pallets, cradles or baskets provided that:

.1 initiation devices shall be segregated from each other and from any jet perforating guns in accordance with the provisions of 7.2.7, and from any other dangerous goods in accordance with the provisions of 7.2.4 and 7.6.3.2, unless otherwise approved by the competent authority;

.2 jet perforating guns shall be securely held in place during transport;

.3 each shaped charge affixed to any gun shall not contain more than 112 g of explosives;

.4 each shaped charge, if not completely enclosed in glass or metal, shall be fully protected by a metal cover following installation in the gun;

.5 both ends of jet perforating guns shall be protected by means of steel end caps allowing for pressure release in the event of fire;

.6 the total explosive content shall not exceed 95 kg per well tool pallet, cradle or basket; and

.7 where more than one well tool pallet, cradle or basket is stowed "on deck", a minimum horizontal distance of 3 m shall be observed between them.

7.1.4.4.6 Stowage on passenger ships

7.1.4.4.6.1 Goods in division 1.4, compatibility group S, may be transported in any amount on passenger ships. No other goods of class 1 may be transported on passenger ships except:

.1 goods in compatibility groups C, D and E and articles in compatibility group G, if the total net explosive mass does not exceed 10 kg per ship and if they are transported in closed cargo transport units on deck or under deck ;

.2 articles in compatibility group B, if the total net explosive mass does not exceed 10 kg per ship and if they are transported on deck only in closed cargo transport units.

7.1.4.4.7 Alternative arrangements to those prescribed in Chapter 7.1 for class 1 may be approved by the Administration.

7.1.4.6 Stowage of dangerous goods under temperature control

7.1.4.6.1 When stowage arrangements are made, it shall be borne in mind that it may become necessary to take the appropriate emergency action, such as jettisoning or flooding of the container with water and the temperature need to be monitored in accordance to 7.3.7. If, during transport, the control temperature is exceeded, an alerting procedure shall be initiated involving either repair of the refrigeration machinery or an increase in the cooling capacity (such as by adding liquid or solid refrigerants). If an adequate cooling capacity is not restored, emergency procedures shall be started.


*: Refer to the Unified Interpretation on 7.1.4.4.2 of the IMDG Code on the issue of "life-saving appliances".