Regulations for dangerous goods

Dangerous goods are:

• goods as defined in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
• goods as defined in chapter 17 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk
• goods as defined in chapter 19 of the International Code of the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk
• goods as described in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code
• goods as defined by ADN (rail), ADR (road transport) or RID (rail)

Polluting goods are:

• grades of oil as defined in Annex I of the Marpol Convention
• harmful liquids as defined in Annex II of the Marpol Convention
• harmful liquids as defined in Annex III of the Marpol Convention
• any other good capable of causing an emission that has or may have direct or indirect harmful effects on human health or the environment

The handling of dangerous and polluting goods refers to the transportation, loading and unloading operations and temporary storage of goods that pose a risk of fire, explosion of environmental nuisance. The performance of special actions that entail similar risks also fall under the regulations of dangerous goods.

Are you looking for the compliant and safe handling of a specific substance or dangerous cargo? The port directive contains all regulations relating to the handling of dangerous cargo in Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

Handling dangerous and polluting goods involves a lot of specific terminology. You can find an overview and definitions here.

Declaration obligation

Dangerous and/or polluting goods can only be handled in the port if a prior electronic declaration has been submitted via C-Point (Antwerp) or Zedis (Zeebrugge). 

You can also submit the declaration via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Specifically for dangerous goods, the International Forwarding and Transport Dangerous Goods Notification (IFTDGN) must be used. More information can be found in Port Instruction 4.2.4.

Back areas

The part of the port area that is not a front quay.

Agent

• The "shipping agent" is essentially the person responsible for a seagoing vessel and carries out the notification and place request.
• The "cargo agent" is responsible for loading and/or unloading dangerous cargo on a seagoing vessel.
• The cargo agent and shipping agent are not necessarily the same firm and are commonly referred to as "agent."

Handling

All operations concerning the pre-carriage, on-carriage, loading, unloading, transfer or direct transshipment. For dangerous and polluting goods, this definition also includes "keeping cargo on board a ship." This addition makes the declaration obligation also applicable to dangerous and polluting goods that remain on board ships during their stay in port.

(Approved) container terminal

An approved container terminal is a terminal with specific facilities and measures which is authorised to handle dangerous goods. 

List of approved container terminals.

Freight forwarder

A freight forwarder is responsible for pre-carriage and on-carriage by truck, rail or barge. In the context of dangerous goods regulations, this means, for example, that the party responsible for a barge, as declarant, is always assigned the “freight forwarder”.

Approved fumigation areas

Container fumigation may only be performed at approved fumigation areas. Some areas have a permanent permission to perform fumigation. In that case, a notification suffices.

List of approved fumigation areas.

Gas expert (in the context of handling highly toxic gases)

A person who, through appropriate training and/or experience, has sufficient knowledge of:

• The chemical and physical properties of the handled gases.
• The dangers of these products to humans and the environment.
• The measures to be taken in the event of incidents with this product.
• Measuring equipment for determining the concentration of (toxic) gases.

The Harbour Master's Office may at any time require the persons acting as gas experts to take a test on the items listed above.

This term is not the same as "approved gas expert or degassing expert." This is a person who checks, using measurements and inspections, whether welding and fire activities can be carried out safely on board ships.

(Duly) authorised

The person who appears on the declaration as duly authorised is in possession of a written document signed by the highest authority at the company (or substitute) authorising the latter to file declarations.

If the person concerned is unable to present written proof of authorisation to the harbour master, action will be taken against the person of the company who is held liable under criminal law.

Main means of transport

When a seagoing vessel is involved in the transport chain, this ship will be the main means of transport. When unloading from a seagoing vessel and discharging by train, the seagoing vessel is the main means of transport.

If the declaration does not relate to a seagoing vessel, but to a barge, the barge will be the main means of transport.

If two equivalent means of transport are involved in the transport, the means of transport that delivers the goods is the main means of transport. When unloading from seagoing vessel A and loading in seagoing vessel B, seagoing vessel A is the main means of transport.

Internal emergency response plan

All non-SEVESO companies where dangerous or polluting goods are received or stored on site or where seagoing vessels or barges carrying dangerous and/or polluting goods may be berthed, must have an internal emergency response plan. This emergency response plan is approved by the Harbour Master's Office.

The emergency response plan helps to establish preventive measures, prepare the company for incidents, and efficiently mitigate and tackle the consequences of such incidents. SEVESO companies already have an emergency response plan and do not need to resubmit it to the Harbour Master's Office.

Flash point

The flash point is the lowest temperature at which the vapour of a given liquid ignites in contact with a flame and air. For the authorised methods for determining the flash point, reference is made to the IMDG Code - Chapter 2.3.

Direct handling

Direct handling is handling whereby the length of stay of the cargo on the quay is kept as short as possible. This handling never lasts longer than 8 hours. In certain cases, the harbour master will impose a shorter period than 8 hours.

Transshipment

The handling whereby cargo from one ship is unloaded and reloaded on another vessel at the same concession, without intermediate handling. Also known as 'transshipment'. Please refer to the register for the proper handling of liquid bulk.

Technical name

The technical name is the "correct technical name" as referred to in "Regulation 4" of the IMO Solas Convention. For packaged goods this technical name can be found in the IMDG Code, for bulk cargo in the IBC or IGC Code.

Storage periods

Only short-term storage is allowed on front quays and at approved Container Freight Stations. This means that cargo can only be left here when there are delays in the transport chain. As such, the Harbour Master's Office imposes maximum storage periods for packaged dangerous goods.

You can find these maximum periods in the Codex or the UN Code Finder. If you exceed the maximum storage period, then the goods must be moved to a warehouse that is licensed for long-term storage of that type of dangerous goods.

The harbour master can grant an "extended stay" if the maximum authorised storage period cannot be respected. This is a maximum of 30 calendar days.

Health, Safety and Environmental plan (HSE plan)

The Harbour Master's Office authorises activities which are necessary to safely continue the transport of dangerous goods following leakage or damage (repair, packaging, pumping over, etc.). This authorisation is based on an HSE plan.

In this plan, the company provides the necessary guarantees that they will apply during the execution of the works:

• Safety at the terminal.
• The health of the people performing the works and those present in the vicinity.
• Prevention of environmental pollution due to the release of dangerous or polluting goods.

In the event of incidents involving dangerous goods, the port user must notify the emergency services immediately. The terminal manager must cordon off the hazardous area and take all necessary measures to contain the danger and notify the Harbour Master's Office. 

Front quay

The operating zone intended for short-term storage adjacent to the quay wall and which is given a concession or long lease by the sea port manager, or which is at the disposal of the operator, for the purpose of handling transit goods only and to which the Port Regulations are applicable.

All persons involved in the transportation of dangerous goods must receive training on the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) and port regulations or port bye laws.