Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# IMDG Code — Carriage of Dangerous Goods in Packaged Form

The new 2024 edition (Amendment 42-24), mandatory from 1 January 2026: what changes for the classification, packaging and stowage of dangerous goods in packaged form.

IMDG Code hazardous cargo dangerous goods container

## Operational Explanation

The IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code) governs the classification, packaging, labelling, documentation and stowage of dangerous goods carried in packaged form (not in bulk) by sea, including those in containers.

Update from 1° January 2026: Amendment 42-24 (the 2024 edition of the IMDG Code, adopted by Res. MSC.556(108)) becomes mandatory, after a period of voluntary application that began on 1° January 2025. Among the main new features: new UN numbers for sodium-ion batteries (UN 3551, 3552), for vehicles powered by lithium-ion/lithium-metal/sodium-ion batteries (UN 3556-3558), for fire-suppressant devices (UN 3559), and for tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution (UN 3560), together with an update to the EmS Guide (emergency response procedures).

The next cycle, already adopted: MSC 111 (May 2026) adopted Amendment 43-26, the next edition of the IMDG Code, with early voluntary application from 1° January 2027 and mandatory entry into force from 1° January 2028. The main new features concern a further update to the provisions on the carriage of batteries and clearer criteria for the classification of vehicles, including electric vehicles, continuing the evolution already begun with Amendment 42-24.

## Regulatory Reference

SOLAS Chapter VII (Carriage of Dangerous Goods) makes the IMDG Code mandatory; the 2024 edition (Amendment 42-24) is mandatory from 1° January 2026, while the 2022 edition (Amendment 41-22) remains valid in parallel until 31 December 2025 (a transitional period, with consistent application of a single edition per shipment). Amendment 43-26 (adopted at MSC 111, May 2026): voluntary application from 1° January 2027, mandatory from 1° January 2028.

## Scope of Application

Every ship carrying dangerous goods in packaged form, including containers, with responsibilities shared between the shipper (classification and documentation), the terminal (stowage) and the ship (acceptance, compliant stowage, segregation).

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Verify that the transport documentation (Dangerous Goods Declaration) is consistent with the edition of the IMDG Code applied (41-22 or 42-24, according to the 2025 transitional period, or 42-24 mandatorily from 2026).
2. Verify the classification, packaging and labelling of the dangerous goods according to the applicable edition.
3. Apply the IMDG Code segregation tables to avoid incompatible stowage between different classes of dangerous goods.
4. Verify that up-to-date emergency documentation (EmS Guide) consistent with the edition applied is available on board.
5. Train the crew on the new classifications introduced by Amendment 42-24, in particular sodium-ion batteries and battery-powered vehicles.
6. Monitor the publication of the consolidated text of Amendment 43-26, evaluating early voluntary application from 1 January 2027 ahead of the 2028 mandatory deadline.

## Practical Example

Example verification: a container with sodium-ion batteries (new UN 3551/3552 under Amendment 42-24) accepted on board from 2026 with the correct classification and segregation, after specific crew training on the new entry, which was not present in the 2022 edition.

## Real Cases

The introduction of new battery technologies (lithium-ion, sodium-ion) in maritime transport has made repeated updates to the IMDG Code necessary over the last amendment cycles, precisely because of the growing prevalence of containers with electric vehicles and battery-powered devices which, if misclassified or mis-stowed, represent a significant fire risk on board.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Inconsistent use of different editions of the IMDG Code for the same shipment during the transitional period | Documentary inconsistency, possible deficiency | Apply a single edition (41-22 or 42-24) consistently for every individual shipment during 2025
Crew training not updated on the new classifications (sodium-ion batteries, battery-powered vehicles) | Incorrect acceptance or stowage of dangerous goods that are not correctly recognised | Update crew training at every new IMDG Code amendment
Segregation tables not checked for new UN entries introduced by the latest amendment | Incompatible stowage goes undetected | Always check the segregation tables updated to the edition in force

## PSC Observations

PSCOs verify the consistency between the Dangerous Goods Declaration, classification, packaging, labelling and actual stowage on board, as well as the availability of emergency documentation (EmS Guide) updated to the IMDG edition applied.

## Operational Tips

- Update crew training at every new IMDG amendment, paying particular attention to new battery technologies.
- During the transitional period, always check which edition was used for every individual Dangerous Goods Declaration received.
- Do not rely solely on the shipper's documentation: always check the applicable segregation tables before authorising stowage.

## Checklist

- Dangerous Goods Declaration consistent with the IMDG edition applied
- Classification, packaging and labelling verified
- Segregation tables correctly applied
- EmS Guide on board updated to the applicable edition
- Crew trained on the new classifications introduced by the latest amendment
- Consolidated text of Amendment 43-26 monitored ahead of voluntary application in 2027 / mandatory application in 2028

## FAQ

From when is Amendment 42-24 of the IMDG Code mandatory?
From 1 January 2026, after a period of voluntary application starting on 1 January 2025, during which the previous edition (Amendment 41-22) also remained valid.
What are the main new features of Amendment 42-24?
Among others: new UN numbers for sodium-ion batteries (UN 3551, 3552), for lithium-ion/lithium-metal/sodium-ion battery-powered vehicles (UN 3556-3558), for fire-suppressant devices (UN 3559), and for tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution (UN 3560), together with the update to the EmS Guide.
Who is responsible for the correct classification of dangerous goods?
Mainly the shipper, who completes the Dangerous Goods Declaration; however, the ship has the responsibility to verify the consistency of the documentation and to refuse loading in the event of obvious non-compliance or missing essential information.
What does the next Amendment 43-26 of the IMDG Code introduce?
Adopted at MSC 111 (May 2026), it further updates the provisions on the carriage of batteries and introduces clearer criteria for the classification of vehicles, including electric vehicles, with voluntary application from 1 January 2027 and mandatory application from 1 January 2028.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Cargo Securing Manual and Cargo Lashing Enclosed Space Entry Dangerous Goods Manifest and Notification to Port Authorities CTU Code: Packing and Stowage of Cargo Transport Units

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