Stricter safety measures for charcoal shipments
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced stricter regulations to transport charcoal on merchant ships, effective voluntarily from January 2025 and mandatorily from January 2026.
The German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) supports immediate adoption, citing increased safety for crew and cargo. Between 2015 and 2022, 68 containership fires were linked to charcoal, highlighting the need for safer handling.
The new IMDG Code rules require at least 14 days of weathering or inert gas packaging after production, with a maximum packaging temperature of 40°C. Additional measures include a minimum clearance of 30 cm in transport units and specific labelling and storage requirements.
The rules aim to mitigate self-ignition risks and enhance maritime safety. (pb)