The purpose of the legislation on the transport of dangerous and polluting cargoes is to prevent and reduce any damage and danger which may be caused to persons, the environment or property by the transport of dangerous goods.
Dangerous and polluting cargoes are defined in Section 38 of Maritime Administration and Marine Safety Law and Paragraph 2 of the Cabinet Regulation No. 1060 Regarding the Handling and Control of Dangerous and Polluting Cargoes in Ports, as well as in international legal enactments, i.e., International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS) and International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (MARPOL).
1. Cargoes in packaged form classified in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code*).
2. Bulk cargoes listed in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code*) as cargoes possessing which may present:
– a hazard (Group A cargo);
– a chemical hazard (Group B cargo);
– materials which may present a chemical hazard only when carried in bulk (MHB).
3. Liquid cargoes as defined in Chapter 17 of the International Code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying dangerous chemicals in bulk (IBC Code). These dangerous chemicals are any chemical in liquid form that is identified as hazardous and is included in Column D of Chapter 17 of the IBC Code with the indication S or S/P.
4. Liquefied gas cargoes as defined in Chapter 19 of the International Code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk (IGC Code);
5. Cargoes as defined in paragraph 1.3 of the IMSBC Code, paragraph 1.1.6 of the IBC Code or paragraph 1.1.6 of the IGC Code.
* Updated every two years
1. Oil as it is defined in Annex I to the MARPOL Convention.
2. Noxious liquid substances as defined in Annex II to the MARPOL Convention – any substance identified as a Category X, Y or Z pollutant (in accordance with Annex II of MARPOL) and included in Column C of Chapter 17 or Chapter 18 of the IBC Code.
3. Harmful substances in packaged form as defined in Annex III to the MARPOL Convention.