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

Introduction

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

Maritime transport of goods is an essential component of international trade. Container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, LNG carriers, ro-ro vessels and specialized ships transport goods every day between the world's major ports. The safety of these operations depends on precise international rules concerning the classification, packaging, loading, stowage, securing, handling and transport of cargoes.

Digital IMO Cargo documentation makes it possible to consult these technical and regulatory references within a documentary environment designed for efficient research. It is relevant in particular to masters, merchant navy officers, shipowners, shipping companies, cargo officers, shippers, cargo-handling companies, port authorities, maritime administrations, inspectors and maritime training institutions.

What Does Digital IMO Cargo Documentation Include?

IMO 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;

• timber cargoes;

• liquid and gaseous cargoes;

• cargo stowage and securing;

• loading and unloading;

• packing of cargo transport units;

• emergency procedures relating to dangerous goods;

• accident and pollution prevention.

The IMO digital catalogue dedicated to cargoes includes references concerning dangerous goods, bulk carriers, containers, chemical tankers, gas carriers, grain cargoes and fire safety.

The digital format makes it easier to consult this specialized documentation and search for specific information within publications that may be extensive.

SOLAS and Cargo Safety

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS, provides one of the main international frameworks applicable to the carriage of goods by sea.

Chapter VI of SOLAS deals with the carriage of cargoes and includes provisions relating to their loading, stowage and securing.

Chapter VII concerns the carriage of dangerous goods.

IMO Cargo documentation therefore helps explain the relationship between SOLAS and the various technical codes applicable to goods transported by sea.

For example, for a container ship sailing between Le Havre and Rotterdam, the rules concerning the securing of cargo units form part of a wider framework that includes international requirements, shipboard procedures and operations carried out at port terminals.

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 covers in particular:

• classification of dangerous goods;

• packaging;

• tanks;

• marking and labelling;

• transport documents;

• proper shipping names;

• stowage;

• segregation of incompatible goods;

• transport procedures;

• emergency measures.

Digital IMO documentation relating to the IMDG Code makes it possible in particular to search for information concerning substances and dangerous goods in the Dangerous Goods List.

The 2026 edition of the IMDG Code is currently listed in the IMO digital catalogue. It consists of two volumes and includes, among other things, the Dangerous Goods List.

For a cargo officer, digital searching can be particularly useful when it is necessary to identify quickly the requirements applicable to a specific substance or cargo.

Cargo Stowage and Securing

Cargo stowage and securing are fundamental elements of ship safety.

During a voyage, ship movements create longitudinal, vertical and particularly transverse accelerations that can generate significant forces on cargoes and their securing arrangements.

The IMO CSS Code provides an international standard intended to improve the safety of cargo stowage and securing. It addresses in particular the planning, execution and supervision of cargo securing operations.

Digital documentation is particularly suited to searching for information concerning:

• securing arrangements;

• cargo securing methods;

• cargoes presenting particular difficulties;

• heavy weather conditions;

• risks of cargo shifting;

• responsibilities relating to cargo preparation and supervision of securing operations.

Packing of Cargo Transport Units

Cargo safety begins before the cargo is loaded onto the ship.

Inadequate packaging, overloading, poor weight distribution or incorrect declaration of the contents of a transport unit can create risks throughout the logistics chain.

The IMO has worked with other international organizations on the Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units, known as the CTU Code.

These recommendations concern operations carried out before the cargo reaches the ship and complement the rules applicable to maritime transport.

Containers and Intermodal Transport

Container transport directly connects ships with inland logistics chains.

Containers may carry general cargo, food products, industrial equipment, chemicals or dangerous goods.

IMO documentation addresses in particular packing safety, weight distribution, stowage and securing of transport units.

The International Convention for Safe Containers, or CSC, is also an important reference for the safety of containers used in international transport.

In a major port such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, Le Havre or Dunkirk, cargo therefore passes through several stages: preparation, packing, inland transport, port handling, loading, maritime transport and unloading.

Solid Bulk Cargoes and the IMSBC Code

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

The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code, or IMSBC Code, establishes the international rules applicable to their safe carriage.

The Code addresses in particular the hazards associated with certain cargoes, their distribution, their behaviour during transport and the precautions required during loading, carriage and unloading.

The main risks may include loss or reduction of stability, structural damage resulting from poor cargo distribution or certain physical or chemical reactions.

The IMSBC Code is mandatory under SOLAS and is regularly amended.

The 2025 digital edition of the IMSBC Code incorporates Amendment 08-25, which may be applied voluntarily from 1 January 2026 before its entry into force in 2027.

Grain and Special Cargoes

Certain cargoes require specific rules because of their properties.

The carriage of grain in bulk is governed in particular by the International Grain Code. The general scope of the IMSBC Code should therefore not be confused with the specific requirements applicable to bulk grain.

Other IMO publications address timber cargoes, liquefied gases, certain chemical cargoes and different types of specialized vessels.

This organization by cargo category makes it possible to adapt safety requirements to the physical, chemical and operational characteristics of the goods being transported.

Loading, Unloading and Port Operations

Cargo operations are not limited to the period during which the ship is at sea.

Loading and unloading are also critical stages.

In ports in the English Channel and North Sea, such as Dunkirk, Le Havre, Rotterdam and Antwerp, ships may carry out complex operations in specialized terminals.

Bulk carriers, for example, require close coordination between the ship and the terminal in order to control cargo distribution and prevent excessive stresses on the ship's structure.

The BLU Code and BLU Manual complement the IMSBC Code in relation to bulk carrier loading and unloading operations.

English Channel, North Sea and Major European Ports

International cargo rules apply directly to the major European commercial shipping routes.

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

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

IMO Cargo documentation forms part of this international environment, alongside port and national regulations and procedures specific to each vessel.

Atlantic, Mediterranean and International Shipping Routes

The same principles apply to commercial routes across the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

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

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

Beyond the Strait of Gibraltar, commercial routes continue towards the Red Sea, Suez Canal, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

IMO rules provide a common international framework for the transport of goods, regardless of the maritime area crossed.

Complementarity with Nautical Charts and Publications

IMO Cargo documentation has 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 publications, on the other hand, address international rules concerning ships, their cargoes and their operation.

For a merchant ship sailing between Marseille and Gibraltar or between Le Havre and Rotterdam, these two types of information therefore meet different but complementary needs.

IMO Cargo documentation provides the regulatory framework for the carriage of goods, while nautical publications enable navigation to be planned and conducted in the relevant geographical area.

Why Use IMO Cargo Publications in Digital Format?

Digital format is particularly useful for extensive regulatory documentation that is regularly updated.

It facilitates in particular:

• searching for a word or expression;

• consulting a specific chapter;

• quickly accessing a regulatory provision;

• searching a list of dangerous goods;

• consulting several references;

• organizing documentation;

• preparing training courses;

• carrying out regulatory research before a cargo operation.

Depending on the title, certain IMO digital publications also allow consultation of the complete document in PDF format, individual chapters, or full-text and e-reader versions. The digital catalogue currently includes a Cargo collection containing several dozen electronic references.

This organization is particularly useful when the user needs to find technical information quickly within a substantial regulatory document.

Who Are Digital IMO Cargo Publications Intended For?

Digital IMO Cargo references 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 can be used for cargo operation planning, training, audits, inspections, regulatory monitoring and the study of international conventions and codes.

Digital Documentation and Regulatory Monitoring

One of the major advantages of digital format is that it facilitates monitoring changes to regulatory texts.

IMO codes and publications may be amended to take account of developments in ships, cargoes, technologies and maritime transport practices.

The IMSBC Code, for example, is regularly amended, with new provisions potentially being introduced before their official entry into force.

For maritime transport professionals, checking the edition, publication date and status of amendments is therefore an important step before any regulatory use.

Conclusion

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

They cover in particular dangerous goods, containers, solid bulk cargoes, grain, cargo stowage, cargo securing, packing of transport units and loading and unloading operations.

The IMDG Code, IMSBC Code, CSS Code, BLU Code, CTU Code, International Grain Code and SOLAS cargo provisions form different elements of the international documentary framework dedicated to cargoes.

This documentation supports the major maritime routes of 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 concerns in particular activities in major ports such as Dunkirk, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Brest, Saint-Nazaire, Marseille, Genoa and Gibraltar.

Digital IMO Cargo publications therefore complement nautical and cartographic information produced by SHOM, ADMIRALTY, NV Charts and other national hydrographic offices. They provide the regulatory and technical framework required to understand the safe maritime transport of goods.

FAQ

What is digital IMO Cargo documentation?

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

What types of goods are covered by IMO Cargo publications?

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

What is the IMDG Code?

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, or IMDG Code, defines the international rules applicable to the carriage of packaged dangerous goods by sea, including classification, packaging, labelling, documentation, stowage and segregation.

What is the IMSBC Code?

The IMSBC Code is the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code. It defines safety rules for loading, carrying and unloading solid bulk cargoes, with bulk grain being governed separately by the International Grain Code.

What is the CSS Code?

The CSS Code, or Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing, provides international principles and recommendations concerning cargo stowage and securing in order to reduce risks caused by cargo movement during a voyage.

Why is cargo securing important?

Improperly secured cargo may shift as a result of rolling, pitching and other ship movements. It can compromise ship stability, damage other cargo or endanger people on board.

What is the BLU Code?

The BLU Code concerns safe practices for the loading and unloading of bulk carriers. It complements the IMSBC Code, particularly in relation to solid bulk cargo operations.

Does the IMSBC Code cover grain?

No. The IMSBC Code excludes the carriage of grain in bulk, which is covered by the International Grain Code.

Which major ports are covered by IMO Cargo regulations?

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

What is the advantage of digital format for IMO Cargo publications?

Digital format makes it easier to search documents, consult specific chapters, identify regulatory provisions and, for certain publications, search technical lists such as the Dangerous Goods List.

Are digital IMO Cargo publications updated?

IMO codes and publications are regularly subject to new editions and amendments. It is therefore essential to check the edition and amendment status before professional or regulatory use.

Do IMO Cargo publications replace nautical charts?

No. IMO Cargo publications primarily address rules and procedures relating to the carriage of goods. Nautical charts and publications provide the geographical and hydrographic information required for navigation.

What is the difference between IMO and SHOM?

IMO establishes the international framework applicable in particular to maritime transport safety and cargoes. SHOM is the French hydrographic and oceanographic service responsible for producing official French nautical data and publications.

What is the difference between IMO and ADMIRALTY?

IMO is an international organization that develops international maritime conventions and codes. ADMIRALTY is the publication brand of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office and produces official nautical charts and publications.

Who are digital IMO Cargo publications intended for?

They are intended in particular for masters, officers, shipowners, shipping companies, cargo officers, shippers, terminal managers, maritime administrations, inspectors, maritime schools and professionals involved in multimodal transport.