THE INTERNATIONAL Maritime Organization (IMO) has made amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code in order to improve the safe transportation of ammonium nitrate shipments.
The change reportedly affects Clause 7.6.2.8.4 and reinforces that carriage of UN 1942 Aammonium Nitrate and UN 2067 Ammonium Nitrate-based fertiliser under deck is only permitted if hatches including tween deck hatches are capable of being opened in an emergency, ensuring that effective firefighting through maximum ventilation and boundary cooling can be undertaken.
The International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) has welcomed the amendment, which it said follows an ICHCA-prepared paper on the subject, lodged with the IMO in 2022, which recommended clarification of the relevant IMDG Clause.
“Although not mandatory until 1st January 2026 it can be applied on a voluntary basis from January 2025,” said ICHCA CEO Richard Steele.
“ICHCA is urging all those involved in the maritime transport of ammonium nitrate to abide by the new regulation immediately.
“The work by our Technical Panel over several months made the case for amending the IMDG Code very clear, backed by thorough understanding of the properties of these compounds and by detailed guidance on how such risks could be mitigated.”
The ICHCA said the risks posed by poor conditions of storage of ammonium nitrate, which is used extensively in the fertiliser and explosives industries, had been well documented, but that awareness of the dangers of fire during transportation by sea was less well recognised until the ICHCA’s White Paper Ammonium Nitrate Fire Risk on Board Ship showed the risks to vessels.
Ammonium Nitrate is a white to grey odourless chemical that has a melting point of 169 degrees Celsius, and decomposes at 210 degrees Celcius. While it does not burn by itself, it will significantly accelerate burning of combustible material.
The paper’s lead author Brian Devaraj, who is a member of ICHCA’s Technical Panel, said “These properties in particular demand careful consideration of how and where ammonium nitrate is stowed on board vessels”.
“Ammonium nitrate fires can escalate out of control very rapidly. To help prevent consequential loss of life and damage, the new provisions laid out in the IMDG Code, in particular clause 7.6.2.8.4 should be complied with at all times,” he said.
“This seemingly unremarkable clause is in fact crucial to safe shipping of ammonium nitrate.
“(IMO clause) 7.6.2.8.4 states that certain product with specified UN Numbers may be stowed under deck in a clean cargo space capable of being opened in an emergency, including need to open hatches in case of fire to provide maximum ventilation and to apply water. This of course precludes a hold containing ammonium nitrate to be over-stowed with another cargo.”
The ICHCA said the intention of the amendment is to avoid any misunderstanding on this point, clarifying that all vessel hatches, including tween decks and any other compartments, should be openable in case of an ammonium nitrate fire.
Mr Devaraj said that of particular concern is where this product is carried in multi-layered compartments of conventional reefer vessels, wherein compliance to this clause is next to impossible.
“Several jurisdictions, that handle the product in significant quantities, have already taken heed of this risk,” he said.
“Countries including Australia, South Africa and Chile have specific regulatory requirements.
“This newly worded clause in the IMDG will eliminate any ambiguity on its application to all types of ships including bulk, multipurpose tween deckers, conventional reefer vessels etc.” Mr Devaraj concluded.
Mr Steele commented further, “The guidance of these authorities as well as the in-depth explanation of the significance of Clause 7.6.2.8.4 wording is contained within our White Paper and we at ICHCA are enthusiastically promoting the amendment and its immediate application by all involved in the ammonium nitrate trade”.
Discussions around the safe handling of Ammonium Nitrate became world news after the 2020 explosion at the Beirut Port in Lebanon, which killed 218 people and devastated the port and surrounding areas, was blamed on the dangerous storage of the product.