Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# Dangerous Goods Manifest and Notification to Port Authorities

Beyond the Dangerous Goods Declaration for each individual shipment, the ship must keep a complete Dangerous Goods Manifest and notify port authorities of the dangerous goods on board before arrival.

dangerous goods manifest SOLAS VII port notification dangerous goods

## Operational Explanation

The Dangerous Goods Manifest (or List of Dangerous Goods) is the document that summarises all the dangerous goods actually loaded on board, together with their stowage position, as distinct from the Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) that the shipper completes for each individual shipment. The ship is responsible for keeping this manifest up to date and consistent with the actual stowage plan.

SOLAS Regulation VII/4-5 also imposes an obligation to notify port authorities before arrival, indicating the class, quantity and stowage position of the dangerous goods on board, so that the authorities can plan any emergency response.

## Regulatory Reference

SOLAS Chapter VII, Regulations 4 and 4-5 (Documents and Reporting requirements) require the ship to keep a Dangerous Goods Manifest or a stowage plan identifying the dangerous goods, and to give advance notification to port authorities. IMDG Code Chapter 5.4 sets out the minimum documentary content.

## Scope of Application

Every ship carrying dangerous goods in packaged form, with the Master responsible for keeping the manifest consistent with the cargo actually loaded and for transmitting the notification to the authorities of the next port of call within the required timeframe (typically 24-96 hours before arrival, depending on the jurisdiction).

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Collect all Dangerous Goods Declarations received from shippers/terminals before loading.
2. Compile or verify the overall Dangerous Goods Manifest, with the stowage position of each unit.
3. Check the consistency between the manifest and the actual stowage plan (bay plan) before departure.
4. Transmit the notification to the port authorities of the next port of call within the timeframe required by the local jurisdiction.
5. Keep a copy of the manifest on board and make it immediately available on request from the PSC or port/emergency authorities.

## Practical Example

Example: before arrival at an EU port, the Master transmits, through the national reporting system (coordinated with SafeSeaNet), the notification of dangerous goods on board, including the IMDG class, quantity and stowage position for each container concerned.

## Real Cases

Several investigations into fires on board container ships have found cases where the Dangerous Goods Manifest did not accurately reflect the actual stowage position of the dangerous goods, complicating the emergency response by the crew and port responders, who had to locate the dangerous units without reliable information.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Manifest compiled on the basis of initial declarations without being updated after changes to the stowage plan | Incorrect information on the actual position of the dangerous goods in an emergency | Update the manifest whenever the stowage plan changes, not only at departure
Notification to port authorities transmitted later than the required deadline | PSC deficiency and possible local administrative penalties | Check the specific notification deadlines of each jurisdiction well in advance
Manifest not immediately available on board at the time of an inspection or emergency | Delay in the emergency response and PSC deficiency | Keep the manifest in a location known to the entire watchkeeping crew, in an easily consultable format

## PSC Observations

PSCOs check that the Dangerous Goods Manifest is on board, up to date and consistent with the cargo actually loaded, and that notifications to port authorities have been transmitted within the required timeframe. Unavailability of the manifest is treated as a serious deficiency.

## Operational Tips

- Do not confuse the Dangerous Goods Declaration (for a single shipment) with the Dangerous Goods Manifest (summary of the entire cargo on board): both are needed.
- Check the specific notification requirements of each port of call: deadlines and formats vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
- Keep the manifest in a format that can be consulted quickly even in emergency conditions, not only as an archived digital file.

## Checklist

- Dangerous Goods Manifest compiled and up to date
- Consistency between manifest and actual bay plan verified
- Notification to port authorities transmitted within the required timeframe
- Copy of the manifest available on board for quick consultation
- Manifest update procedure in case of changes defined in the SMS

## FAQ

Does the Dangerous Goods Manifest replace the Dangerous Goods Declaration?
No: the DGD is completed by the shipper for each individual shipment, while the Manifest is the overall summary maintained by the ship/company of all the dangerous goods actually on board.
Within what timeframe must the notification to port authorities be transmitted?
It varies by jurisdiction, typically between 24 and 96 hours before arrival; it is the agent's/Master's responsibility to check the specific requirements of the port of call.
What happens if the manifest is not consistent with the actual cargo?
Besides the risk of a PSC deficiency, an inaccurate manifest seriously compromises the ability to respond to a fire or incident, because responders do not know where the dangerous goods are located.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

IMDG Code — Carriage of Dangerous Goods in Packaged Form CTU Code: Packing and Stowage of Cargo Transport Units

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