Crucial amendment to IMDG Code on Ammonium Nitrate sanctioned by the IMO
| The global cargo handling association ICHCA International (ICHCA) welcomes the recent IMO decision to amend a key aspect of the IMDG Code governing ammonium nitrate shipments to significantly improve their safe transportation by sea and highlights its importance as part of the association’s Dangerous Goods Awareness campaign. |
| The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved changes to its maritime safety regulations in the form of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code to improve the safety of ammonium nitrate transport by sea. ICHCA is drawing attention to the move, as well as other changes to the IMDG Code designed to improve safety when shipping handling and carrying dangerous goods via its awareness campaign throughout 2025. |
| This particular change affects Clause 7.6.2.8.4 and reinforces that carriage of UN 1942 Ammonium Nitrate and UN 2067 Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer under deck is only permitted if hatches including tween deck hatches are capable of being opened up in an emergency so that effective firefighting through maximum ventilation and boundary cooling can be undertaken. |
| The amendment follows an ICHCA prepared White Paper* on the subject lodged with IMO in 2022, which recommended clarification of the relevant IMDG Clause. “Although not mandatory until 1st January 2026 it can be applied on a voluntary basis from January 2025. ICHCA is urging all those involved in the maritime transport of ammonium nitrate to abide by the new regulation immediately,” says CEO Richard Steele. “The work by our Technical Panel over several months made the case for amending the IMDG Code very clear, backed by thorough understanding of the properties of these compounds and by detailed guidance on how such risks could be mitigated.” |