While the term IMCO may not be as commonly heard as other abbreviations, such as IMC (Intermediate mark of condition) or IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods), it is an important acronym in its own right. IMCO stands for Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization, and it’s the branch of the United Nations that manages global maritime safety, antipollution regulations, etc. Here are some of the things you should know about IMCO and what it means to you personally or professionally.
History of IMCO
The Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) was set up in 1948 as a sub-organization of United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) with a mandate to serve as an advisory body on all matters concerning international maritime safety, including measures to combat marine pollution. It was charged with monitoring implementation of an International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, signed in London on November 1, 1960.
The fields in which it operates.
International Maritime Safety, International shipping rules, Anti-pollution regulations. Further it has a wide range of consultative roles and tasks in connection with international standards and safety regulations. All together IMO’s work encompasses four core areas: 1. International Standards (IS), 2. Prevention of Pollution at Sea (MARPOL), 3. Safety at Sea (SOLAS) 4 Ship Construction and Repair (SCR). The secretariat is based in London, United Kingdom.
How the organization works.
IMCO, as an intergovernmental organization of 159 member countries (and one non-member state, Holy See), was established in 1948 to provide a forum for international maritime cooperation. The agency’s main purpose is safety on, under and around oceans worldwide. It also aims to regulate marine pollution and encourage sustainable development of global trade. Its headquarters are in London and its other functions are spread across several locations throughout Europe including Paris, Brussels and Geneva.
Who is responsible for the classification of dangerous goods?
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, also known as The Blue Code or International Cargo Shipping Code, is a standard set of regulations used by all shipping companies when transporting dangerous goods. The rules have been jointly agreed upon by members of Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO). The code defines what substances must be classified and how to transport them in special packaging.
What is the difference between hazmat and dangerous goods?
Hazmat, short for hazardous materials, applies to any material that is considered dangerous when it comes into contact with people, animals or property. Dangerous goods, on the other hand, are either corrosive or combustible. The shipment of hazmat and dangerous goods often requires training and additional certification on behalf of those responsible for transporting them.
What is ship hazardous cargo?
A hazardous cargo carrier refers to a ship whose cargo might pose a danger to humans, other ships, and surrounding marine life. Typically, if a container contains flammable materials such as gasoline or chemicals that could leach into nearby waters, it’s considered hazardous. (Think oil spills.) Any container that holds toxic materials falls under these regulations.
What is the purpose of classification of dangerous goods?
The purpose of classification of dangerous goods (Classification, Labeling and Packaging) is to provide users with information required for safe handling, transport and use. This information can be found on labels attached to packaging or labels displayed at points of transport and use. For instance, if a flammable liquid had a chemical name that you did not recognize, you could check its classification to get an idea of what it might be.
What are dangerous goods regulations?
A package containing one or more dangerous goods that must be treated, stored, transported, handled, offered for transport and exported or imported according to regulations. These goods are divided into: (1) explosive substances; (2) flammable liquids; (3) flammable solids; (4) oxidizing substances; (5) poisonous substances; and/or (6) radioactive materials. Some of these goods require special packaging as well.
How are dangerous substances classified?
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) classifies dangerous substances according to how much danger they pose when transported by sea. Depending on their risk category, dangerous goods are classified as packaged or unpackaged. The IMDG Code is published by a special agency of the United Nations – Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO.
What is IMDG Code?
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) was adopted by resolution 3 of the Plenipotentiary Conference on Safety of Life at Sea in 1965. It is a carefully worded document consisting of 21 articles with 484 paragraphs and has, since its inception, been frequently amended in order to take into account changes made in international maritime conventions or technical development. The dangerous goods are listed according to their packing group which classifies them according to their relative hazardous nature.
What are the 6 categories of hazardous materials?
The main six categories of hazardous materials are corrosives, flammables, explosives, oxidizers, poisons and radioactives. Classifying materials in these categories allows safety professionals to create appropriate security measures for dealing with them.
What are the categories of DG cargo?
Dangerous goods are divided into nine classes and over 700 divisions for transport. Class 1 includes explosives, radioactive materials, and corrosives that are considered most dangerous; Class 9 covers items such as candles, which do not pose a significant risk to people or property. A full list of dangerous goods classes can be found on the IATA Dangerous Goods section of their website. For information about transport regulations within each country, contact your national carrier authority or check out UNECE regulations for international traffic.