IMO – Cargo in Paper Format – Maritime Transport of Goods, Cargoes and Safety

Introduction

Publications from the International Maritime Organization dedicated to cargo in paper format bring together the main international references relating to the maritime transport of goods, cargo safety, stowage, cargo securing, containers, solid bulk cargoes and the carriage of dangerous goods.

The carriage of goods by sea is an essential component of international trade. Container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, LNG carriers, ro-ro vessels and specialized ships transport a wide variety of goods between the world's major ports. The safety of these operations relies on international rules concerning cargo preparation, classification, packaging, loading, stowage, segregation and transport.

IMO cargo documentation is intended in particular for masters, officers, shipowners, shipping companies, cargo officers, shippers, cargo-handling companies, port authorities, maritime administrations, inspectors and maritime training institutions.

The paper format remains important in professional libraries, training centres, regulatory departments and maritime environments where reference texts need to remain directly accessible.

What Does IMO Cargo Documentation Include?

International cargo documentation covers several categories of goods and different stages of maritime transport.

It concerns in particular:

• general cargo;

• packaged dangerous goods;

• solid bulk cargoes;

• containers;

• grain cargoes;

• timber cargoes;

• liquid and gaseous cargoes;

• cargo stowage and securing;

• loading and unloading operations;

• cargo documentation;

• accident and pollution prevention.

The IMO also addresses issues relating to the safety of ships carrying specific types of cargo and the certification of ships intended to carry dangerous goods.

SOLAS and the Carriage of Cargoes

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS, provides one of the main international regulatory frameworks governing the carriage of goods.

Chapter VI of SOLAS deals with the carriage of cargoes and includes requirements concerning the stowage and securing of cargoes or cargo units, such as containers.

Chapter VII concerns the carriage of dangerous goods. It establishes principles relating in particular to the classification, packaging, marking, labelling, documentation and stowage of dangerous goods.

IMO cargo documentation therefore helps explain the relationship between the general requirements of SOLAS and the various technical codes applicable to cargoes.

IMDG Code: Dangerous Goods Transported by Sea

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, or IMDG Code, is the main international reference for the carriage of packaged dangerous goods by sea.

It regulates in particular:

• classification of dangerous goods;

• packaging;

• tanks and receptacles;

• marking and labelling;

• documentation;

• shipping procedures;

• stowage;

• segregation of incompatible goods;

• transport operations.

The IMDG Code is organized into two volumes. Volume 1 addresses general provisions, classification, packaging and tanks, and transport procedures. Volume 2 includes the Dangerous Goods List, special provisions, exemptions, proper shipping names, the glossary and index.

The IMDG Code also implements the requirements of SOLAS Chapter VII concerning packaged dangerous goods. It is also linked to the provisions of MARPOL Annex III concerning the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form.

Cargo Stowage and Securing

A properly prepared cargo must remain stable throughout the voyage despite ship movements, acceleration, rolling, pitching and changing weather conditions.

IMO publications relating to cargo stowage and securing address the principles governing the securing of goods and cargo units.

These documents are particularly relevant to professionals responsible for:

• preparing cargo plans;

• checking cargo stowage;

• inspecting securing arrangements;

• preparing cargo before loading;

• preventing cargo movement;

• maintaining ship stability and safety.

Cargo securing documentation concerns in particular containers, general cargo and various categories of goods transported aboard merchant ships.

Containers and Cargo Units

Container transport requires specific rules concerning the preparation, inspection, handling and securing of cargo units.

The International Convention for Safe Containers, or CSC, is another important international reference in this field.

IMO publications concerning containers also address the safety of loading operations, cargo packing and procedures designed to reduce risks during transport.

In a port such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, Le Havre or Dunkirk, these principles form part of a logistics chain involving maritime transport, port terminals and pre- and onward land transport.

Solid Bulk Cargoes

Bulk carriers transport large quantities of solid goods such as ores, coal, agricultural products and other bulk materials.

The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code, or IMSBC Code, is the international reference for the safe carriage of these cargoes.

It addresses in particular the characteristics of cargoes, their classification, their physical properties and the precautions required during loading, transport and unloading.

The safety of solid bulk cargoes depends in particular on ship stability, cargo behaviour and the prevention of phenomena that could compromise the safety of the vessel.

IMO cargo documentation is complemented by the BLU Code and BLU Manual concerning the loading and unloading of bulk carriers.

Grain and Special Cargoes

Certain goods require specific provisions because of their particular characteristics.

Grain carried in bulk is covered by the International Grain Code.

Other publications address timber cargoes, refrigerated cargoes, dangerous goods, chemicals and liquefied gases.

IMO codes and recommendations make it possible to adapt safety measures to the physical, chemical and operational characteristics of the goods being transported.

Carriage of Dangerous Goods

Dangerous goods are one of the most technical areas of maritime transport.

A substance may present several types of hazards, including flammability, toxicity, corrosiveness, reactivity, explosion risk or danger to the marine environment.

IMO documentation helps determine the rules applicable to a particular substance and understand the requirements concerning:

• classification;

• packaging;

• labelling;

• documentation;

• stowage;

• segregation from other goods;

• emergency measures;

• incident reporting.

The IMDG Code Supplement includes complementary material concerning emergency response, medical first aid, reporting procedures and certain specific recommendations.

Loading, Unloading and Port Operations

Cargo safety does not depend solely on the transport phase at sea.

Loading and unloading operations are also critical stages.

In major ports of the English Channel and North Sea, such as Dunkirk, Le Havre, Rotterdam and Antwerp, ships may carry out complex operations involving container terminals, grain terminals, dry bulk facilities, petroleum products or specialized cargoes.

IMO publications provide the various parties involved with a common international framework for cargo operations.

English Channel, North Sea and Major European Ports

International cargo requirements apply directly to major European commercial shipping routes.

The English Channel and North Sea connect ports such as Dunkirk, Calais, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Antwerp and several major British ports.

This region handles significant traffic involving container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, LNG carriers and ro-ro vessels.

IMO cargo rules must be applied alongside national regulations, port procedures and documents specific to the ships and cargoes concerned.

Atlantic, Mediterranean and International Shipping Routes

The IMO framework also applies to the commercial routes of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

Ports such as Brest, Saint-Nazaire, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Bayonne, Bilbao, Vigo and Lisbon are connected to major Atlantic shipping routes.

In the Mediterranean, Marseille, Fos-sur-Mer, Toulon, Barcelona, Genoa, Naples and Gibraltar are important points in international maritime transport.

Beyond Gibraltar, routes continue towards the Red Sea, Suez Canal, Indian Ocean and major Asian ports.

International cargo rules provide regulatory continuity between these different regions.

Complementarity with Nautical Charts and Publications

IMO cargo publications have a regulatory and technical function that differs from that of nautical charts.

Nautical charts and publications produced by organizations such as SHOM, ADMIRALTY and NV Charts provide the geographical and hydrographic information required for navigation.

IMO documentation, on the other hand, concerns the rules applicable to ships, their operation and the carriage of goods.

This complementarity is particularly important for merchant ships engaged in international voyages: voyage preparation requires both appropriate nautical information for the route and knowledge of the international rules applicable to the vessel and its cargo.

Why Use IMO Cargo Publications in Paper Format?

The paper format retains advantages for merchant shipping professionals and maritime training institutions.

It provides in particular:

• direct consultation without computer equipment;

• use in a technical library;

• simultaneous consultation of several volumes;

• annotation and documentary referencing;

• use in training;

• creation of a regulatory reference collection;

• consultation as a reference document ashore.

For professional use, it remains essential to check the applicable edition and associated amendments, as IMO codes and conventions are regularly updated.

Who Are IMO Cargo Publications Intended For?

IMO cargo documents in paper format are intended in particular for:

• masters and merchant navy officers;

• shipowners;

• shipping companies;

• cargo officers;

• shippers and consignors;

• terminal managers;

• cargo-handling companies;

• port authorities;

• maritime administrations;

• inspectors;

• maritime schools and training centres;

• professionals involved in multimodal transport.

They provide a useful documentary basis for understanding international requirements applicable to the loading, stowage, carriage and unloading of goods.

Conclusion

IMO Cargo publications in paper format constitute international reference documentation for the maritime transport of goods and cargo safety.

They cover in particular dangerous goods, containers, solid bulk cargoes, grain, stowage, cargo securing, loading and unloading.

The IMDG Code, IMSBC Code, SOLAS provisions relating to cargoes, CSS Code, BLU Code, International Convention for Safe Containers and the various associated international instruments address the main risks involved in transporting goods by sea.

This documentation applies to major maritime routes through the English Channel, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, as well as international routes towards the Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

It therefore supports activities in major ports such as Dunkirk, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Brest, Saint-Nazaire, Marseille, Genoa and Gibraltar.

IMO publications dedicated to cargo complement nautical and cartographic information produced by SHOM, ADMIRALTY, NV Charts and other national hydrographic offices. They provide the regulatory and technical framework required for understanding the safe transport of goods by sea.

FAQ

What is IMO Cargo documentation?

IMO Cargo documentation includes international conventions, codes, manuals, recommendations and other references dedicated to the maritime transport of goods, cargo safety, stowage and cargo handling.

What types of goods are covered by IMO Cargo publications?

They cover general cargo, containers, dangerous goods, solid bulk cargoes, grain, timber, gases and various types of cargo requiring specific precautions.

What is the IMDG Code?

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code is the international reference for the carriage of packaged dangerous goods by sea. It defines rules concerning classification, packaging, marking, labelling, documentation, stowage and segregation.

What is the IMSBC Code?

The IMSBC Code is the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code. It establishes requirements for the safe carriage of many solid bulk cargoes aboard bulk carriers.

What does SOLAS provide for cargoes?

SOLAS Chapter VI concerns the carriage of cargoes and includes requirements relating to cargo stowage and securing. Chapter VII concerns the carriage of dangerous goods.

What is the CSS Code?

The CSS Code, or Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing, provides recommendations and principles concerning the stowage and securing of cargoes in order to reduce risks during the voyage.

Why is cargo securing important?

Improperly secured cargo may shift as a result of ship movements and compromise stability, cargo integrity or the safety of people on board. Cargo securing is therefore an essential part of safe maritime transport.

Which major ports are concerned by IMO Cargo regulations?

International rules apply in particular to operations carried out in major commercial ports such as Dunkirk, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Brest, Saint-Nazaire, Marseille, Genoa and Gibraltar.

Are IMO Cargo publications intended only for merchant ships?

They are primarily intended for professional maritime transport, but international instruments may apply to different categories of ships depending on their type, cargo, voyage and the regulations concerned.

What is the role of the paper format?

Paper format provides direct and stable access to regulatory and technical references. It is particularly suitable for professional libraries, maritime schools, training centres and regulatory departments.

What is the difference between IMO Cargo publications and nautical charts?

IMO Cargo publications primarily address rules and procedures relating to the carriage of goods. Nautical charts provide the geographical and hydrographic information required for navigation. The two types of documentation are complementary.

Why should the edition of an IMO code be checked?

IMO conventions, codes and recommendations are regularly amended to reflect changes in ships, cargoes, technologies and maritime transport practices. The applicable edition should therefore be checked for the intended use.