Which code governs the carriage of dangerous goods by sea?

• A. The MARPOL Code
• B. The SOLAS Code
• C. The ISM Code
• D. The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code

Answer: (D)

The essential idea is that dangerous goods carried by sea are governed by a dedicated international framework that sets out how these items must be classified, packaged, labeled, documented, and safely stowed and handled on ships. That framework is the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. It’s adopted by the International Maritime Organization and harmonized with UN recommendations, making it the specific rulebook for dangerous goods in sea transport.

Other regulations play different roles. MARPOL covers pollution prevention from ships and does not provide the detailed rules for dangerous goods carriage. SOLAS establishes overall safety requirements for ships but does not detail the classification, packaging, labeling, and documentation for dangerous goods. The ISM Code focuses on safety management systems and operational procedures aboard ships, not the specialized requirements for dangerous goods.