- Calcium Hypochlorite, Charcoal, and Cotton Identified as High-Risk Cargoes.
- New Charcoal Transport Rules to Become Mandatory by January 2026.
- Lithium-Ion Battery Hazards Expected to Grow with Age and Use.
The Cargo Integrity Group is stepping up its focus on the safety risks associated with cargoes labelled as ‘reactive hazards’, which are materials that can catch fire or spread flames under certain conditions. While many of these cargoes are already under the watchful eye of Dangerous Goods (DG) regulations, incidents still happen far too often, reports AJOT.
Minor Missteps Can Trigger Major Disasters, Warns Group
As noted by a judge in one litigation case, disasters often only fail to occur due to a “lack of a similar perfect storm of events, and simple good fortune.” The Group stresses that even small mistakes, lapses, or failures in control can result in significant harm, and only thorough diligence or a well-executed emergency response can help reduce these dangers.
Call for Stronger Compliance and Awareness
The Group is calling for strict compliance with essential regulations like the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and encourages the adoption of best practices from the CTU Code. Their goal is to raise awareness and enhance compliance throughout the industry to prevent preventable incidents.
Key Reactive Hazard Cargoes Identified
- Calcium Hypochlorite: This is a strong oxidiser that can break down quickly. It’s often used in lower concentrations for disinfection, but it becomes quite unstable when it’s exposed to high temperatures or any kind of contamination. To keep things safe, it’s crucial to have strict control over the raw materials and the manufacturing processes.
- Charcoal: It is commonly used for barbecues and shisha pipes, but some types come treated with ignition accelerants. Starting in January 2026, there will be a new safety framework for transporting charcoal by sea, which will classify all charcoal as Dangerous Goods. This change aims to close any unreliable testing loopholes.
- Organic Materials: Cargoes such as cotton, wool, fishmeal, krill, and seed cake can easily self-heat and catch fire. To ensure safety during transport, it’s essential to conduct thorough integrity checks and adhere to handling standards.
- Lithium-Ion Batteries: These power everything from consumer electronics to renewable energy systems, but they’re becoming a bigger safety concern. Most incidents so far have involved new batteries, but as they age, get damaged, or go through recycling, the risks are likely to rise. These batteries not only pose fire hazards but also emit toxic gases and can lead to vapour cloud explosions.
Urgent Need for Continued Research on Battery Hazards
The Group is urging comprehensive research into the various hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries and the devices that rely on them. As global demand continues to grow, it’s vital to understand the risks involved in their transport and storage, especially concerning fire, toxic gases, and explosions, to ensure long-term safety management.
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Source: AJOT
