Safe Transport of Charcoal in Containers – Changes to the IMDG Code

As of 2025, the regulations for transporting charcoal (UN 1361) in containers will be expanded. These changes are crucial to ensuring the safety of transport personnel, cargo, vessels, and the supply chain. In the past, charcoal shipments have caused severe fires on container ships, mainly due to improper handling, misdeclaration, and inadequate regulations.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has therefore amended the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. The World Shipping Council (WSC), in collaboration with the International Group of P&I Clubs and the TT Club, has published a concise guide outlining the updated regulations. You can access this guide here. The key changes are summarized as follows:

1. Declaration as Dangerous Goods
   All charcoal shipments must be classified as “Dangerous Goods”, accompanied by detailed documentation that fully complies with the new requirements. This obligation applies without exceptions.
2. Mandatory Controlled Weathering Process
   Charcoal must undergo a controlled weathering process after production or a specific post-pyrolysis treatment, unless otherwise approved by a competent authority. This requirement reduces the risk of self-heating and other hazards arising from incomplete or insufficient processing.
3. Temperature Limits and Packaging Rules
   At the time of packaging, the temperature of the charcoal must not exceed 40°C. Additionally, the transportation of unpackaged (bulk) charcoal in containers remains strictly prohibited.
4. New Stowage Regulations
   To improve air circulation and reduce the risk of self-heating there must be a minimum clearance of 30 cm between the cargo and the roof of the container. The maximum stacking height per package in the CTU must not exceed 1.5 meters and the maximum block size of packages must be 16 m³, with a minimum spacing of 15 cm between the blocks.

Compliance with these new regulations is essential not only for safety but also for preventing damage and loss during transport. Since in almost all cases the shipper is responsible for packaging and preparing the containers, it is crucial that the shipowner receives prior confirmation that these standards have been met. This includes the completion and submission of an IMDG declaration.

For any questions regarding this matter, please contact us at claims@nnpc.nl.