By Vincent Wen    Photo：CANVA

For example, the container vessel accident at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in August 2024 shows that improper handling of dangerous goods can easily lead to major disasters such as fires and explosions, causing not only casualties and property losses but also long-term environmental damage. Entering 2025, with global cargo volumes continuing to rise and the export of high-risk goods such as new energy batteries and advanced chemical materials increasing, the safety risks of transporting dangerous goods must be taken even more seriously.

Risk Factors in Dangerous Goods Transport

Dangerous goods transport involves multiple stages including shipper declaration, cargo packaging, carrier transport, and port handling. Any negligence at one stage can trigger accidents. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), dangerous goods shipping must comply with:

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code)

International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code)

International Safety Management Code (ISM Code)

However, in practice, there are still major concerns:

Shippers misreporting or concealing cargo nature: preventing carriers from applying the right safety measures.

Non-compliant packaging: causing leakage or damage, increasing fire or explosion risks.

Improper port operations: insufficient staff training and operational mistakes leading to accidents.

Poor carrier management: unreasonable stowage or inadequate segregation, creating chain-reaction disasters.

New Challenges in 2025

With the surge in exports of lithium batteries and new energy products, related transportation risks have become a global concern. Starting from January 2025, the IMO further tightened requirements for lithium battery shipping, mandating stricter declaration and packaging standards and requiring carriers to conduct risk classification and safety testing before shipment.

Additionally, under the global carbon neutrality trend, some countries now require dangerous goods transport companies to submit carbon emission and safety management reports, raising both compliance costs and management complexity.

Required Documentation for Dangerous Goods Export

To comply with international regulations and ensure smooth export, shippers usually need to prepare:

Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD): filled out per IMDG Code, listing cargo properties, hazard class, UN number.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS): provided by manufacturers, detailing chemical composition, hazards, and handling guidelines.

Packing Certificate: proof that packaging meets IMDG Code standards.

Commercial Invoice & Packing List: listing cargo details and shipping information.

Bill of Lading (B/L): issued by the carrier as a transport document.

Certificate of Origin (C/O): required for customs clearance in some countries.

Inspection/Quarantine Certificates: for specific chemicals or regulated items.

Special Permits: required for certain goods like lithium batteries or bulk chemicals, subject to destination country or port authority approval.

Core Safety Management Measures

As a freight forwarder, we strictly follow these processes from the moment we receive an order:

Risk Assessment: reviewing cargo type, quantity, packaging, and transport routes.

Document Review: verifying shipper declarations and requiring full inspection reports.

Transport Planning: designing stowage and segregation plans, and establishing contingency procedures.

Emergency Response: developing detailed emergency plans and conducting regular drills.

The Importance of Multi-Stakeholder Cooperation

Safe dangerous goods transport requires shared responsibility among governments, shippers, ports, and carriers:

Governments: strengthen supervision and enforce compliance.

Shippers: make honest declarations and provide complete, accurate documents.

Ports: improve operational expertise and emergency response capacity.

Carriers: ensure proper stowage planning and onboard management.

Conclusion

In 2025, dangerous goods maritime transport faces emerging cargo risks and stricter international regulations. Only through collaboration among all parties and shippers’ proactive preparation of complete documents can accidents be minimized, ensuring safety of people and property while driving sustainable development in global shipping.

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