News / MSC to act early on tougher transport rules for charcoal shipments

ID 34149254 © Micha Klootwijk

MSC, the world’s largest shipping line has announced it will enforce the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) requirements for charcoal transportation from 1 November. 

This means it will be imposing stricter measures relating to declaration, packaging, traceability and safe handling of charcoal shipments.  

Mandatory information on the Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) includes the date of production, date of packing, and temperature of the material on the day of packing – which must not exceed 40ºC. 

If the shipper is using a single packaging – for example UN-approved bags, all marks and labels must be affixed to “each and every bag”, advised MSC. 

If an outer packaging is used – for example UN-approved plywood box – then all the marks and labels should be on the outer packaging only, and the inner packaging is exempt from labels and marks. 

After production, the unpacked material must be stored under cover but in the open air for a minimum period of 14 days before being packaged for transport. During stowage, a minimum headspace in the cargo transport unit of 30cm must be maintained. 

And while MSC will enforce these regulations in less than a month, they will become mandatory for all parties on 1 January 2026. It explained that by early implementation, it aimed to “enhance safety of crew, vessels and customer cargo”. 

Indeed, the shipping industry has witnessed a steep rise in the number of fires aboard ships over the past few years, largely due to emerging products, increased dangerous goods shipments, and cargo misdeclarations.  

Last year, ship fire reports were 20% up from the year before, at 250.  

Adrian Scales, director of Europe at Brooks Bell and Master Mariner, noted that during long voyages, there was a risk that dangerous goods will experience condensation and self–heating. 

“It can go up, and you have major fires. Mainly down to packaging from what we can see. How is it packaged? How is it loaded on the ship? Can it move?” 

Amendment 42-24 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code also includes the introduction of new UN numbers for battery-powered vehicles, meaning all lithium batteries – including prototypes – must meet testing in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, updates to stowage rules, segregation provisions, packing instructions, and more precise labelling requirements. 

Edward Wollaston, VP of casualty & major claims at Skuld, said: “There is regulation already there. So, it’s the industry move to actually make sure that they’re implemented and followed through, and the shippers can do that.” 

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