In today’s world with frequent global trade exchanges, goods are shuttling around the world. However, there is a type of transportation that is extremely special, and that is hazardous shipping. It involves items or substances that may pose serious threats to the safety, health, environment, and even property of people during the transportation process. Understanding hazardous shipping is crucial for ensuring the smoothness and safety of the transportation chain.

I. Classification of Hazardous Shipping

Hazardous goods have a precise and rigorous classification system. Internationally, according to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and the United Nations Model Regulations, they are divided into nine major categories:

1. Explosives: The common fireworks and firecrackers during the Chinese New Year belong to this category. These items possess a huge amount of energy. Once triggered, they may cause an overall explosion or eject high-speed fragments, with great power. Any slight friction or impact during hazardous shipping may trigger a disaster.
2. Gases: This category covers a variety of items in daily life scenarios. Flammable gases such as automotive paint sprays and refrigerants are highly combustible under certain conditions. Non-flammable and non-toxic gases like party poppers are relatively safer, but a large leakage can still create an oxygen-deficient environment. Toxic gases such as compressed coal gas and hydrogen sulfide can cause fatal damage to the human respiratory and nervous systems even with a small amount of inhalation. Hazardous shipping of these gases requires special attention to prevent leakage and ensure proper handling.
3. Flammable Liquids: Items like the paint and coatings used for home decoration, the glue for handicrafts, the medical disinfectant alcohol, and the cleaning solvent (such as Tianna water) all fall into this category. The “flammability” of these goods is defined by the flash point. The lower the flash point, the easier it is to be ignited. During hazardous shipping, they must be kept away from heat sources and fire sources.
4. Flammable Solids, Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion, and Substances Which, in Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases: Some flammable powders used in industrial production can be easily ignited if not paid attention to. Sodium metal is particularly special. When it comes into contact with water, it not only reacts violently but also releases flammable hydrogen gas. During hazardous shipping, strict moisture-proof measures must be taken. Among them, substances in Class 4.2 and Class 4.3 are highly risky, and many ports and warehouses are reluctant to accept them due to their high danger.
5. Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides: Bleaching powder, which is commonly used for disinfection and bleaching, is a common oxidizing substance. Organic peroxides like tert-butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate are often used in chemical synthesis. They can release a large amount of oxygen under specific conditions. Some organic peroxides are extremely sensitive to temperature. Even a slight deviation in temperature during hazardous shipping may trigger a violent reaction.
6. Toxic and Infectious Substances: Pesticides are widely used in agricultural production to ensure a good harvest of crops, but many of their components are highly toxic. For example, sodium fluosilicate can have disastrous consequences if it comes into contact with or is ingested by the human body. There are also some infectious substances carrying germs and viruses. Once the packaging is damaged during hazardous shipping and the germs spread, it will endanger the health of people in a large area.
7. Radioactive Substances: Their harmfulness is invisible to the naked eye but extremely far-reaching. Radiation can quietly damage human cells and genes, leading to serious diseases such as cancer. Given this, very few ordinary freight forwarders in the market dare to deal with this kind of goods in hazardous shipping. They must be transported by freight forwarders or transportation companies with professional qualifications and special protective facilities.
8. Corrosive Substances: They are commonly seen in laboratories and industrial workshops and are divided into acids such as sulfuric acid and alkalis such as sodium hydroxide. They can quickly corrode metal equipment and burn human skin and eyes. During hazardous shipping, the containers must have super strong corrosion resistance.
9. Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles: With the development of technology, various lithium batteries and storage batteries, which are used to power electronic products, although they facilitate our lives, they have the risk of short-circuiting and catching fire during hazardous shipping and belong to this category. Also, dry ice can cause oxygen deficiency when it sublimes, and marine pollutants can damage the marine ecosystem, all of which are classified into this category.

II. Requirements for Goods in Hazardous Shipping

1. Packaging Requirements:
   • Packaging Form: Combined packaging is mostly used. The inner packaging can be small barrels, small bottles, etc., and the outer packaging is a sturdy container such as a carton. However, items like sprayers or gas containers, which have a stable structure themselves, do not require additional inner packaging. During hazardous shipping, the appropriate packaging form is essential to protect the goods.
   • Package Weight: Considering the convenience and safety of handling, the total weight of a single package is generally limited to within 30 kilograms. If the inner packaging is made of fragile or perforable materials such as glass bottles, in order to reduce the risk of damage, the total weight should not exceed 20 kilograms. This weight limit is important for ensuring safe handling during hazardous shipping.
   • Package Category: According to the degree of danger, packages are divided into Class I, Class II, and Class III. Only Class II or Class III hazardous goods meet the conditions for limited quantity transportation. Class I packages are prohibited from limited quantity transportation due to their high risk. Understanding the package category is crucial for proper hazardous shipping operations.
   • Marking and Labeling: Hazardous goods transported in limited quantities have exclusive limited quantity declaration markings. Their posting positions, color combinations, size specifications, and material selections all have strict standards. Any deviation may mislead the operators and lead to accidents. Clear and accurate marking and labeling are necessary for the smooth progress of hazardous shipping.
2. Document Requirements: A complete and accurate set of documents is the “pass” for hazardous shipping. Essential documents include the dangerous goods declaration form, which records in detail the category, characteristics, etc. of the goods; the consignment note, which clarifies key elements such as the consignor, consignee, and transportation route; and the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), which covers detailed information such as the physical and chemical properties of the goods and emergency response measures. In addition, different countries and regions, based on safety considerations, may also require the provision of permits to prove the legality and compliance of the transportation qualification, or inspection reports to verify that the quality and stability of the goods meet the standards. All these documents play an important role in ensuring the safety and legality of hazardous shipping.

III. Precautions for Hazardous Shipping

1. Compliance with Regulations: The regulations for hazardous shipping vary from country to country around the world, but the core principle is the same – ensuring safety. Transportation enterprises must thoroughly study the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and, at the same time, pay close attention to the local regulations of the destination country or region. From the packaging and handling of goods to the planning of the transportation route, every step must strictly adhere to the legal red line to prevent violations, penalties, and potential safety hazards. Complying with regulations is the foundation of safe hazardous shipping.
2. Advance Communication: Before the hazardous shipping starts, the consignor should have in-depth communication with the logistics company to ensure that it has the professional ability and qualification for transporting hazardous goods. Coordinate with the port management department to confirm whether the goods can be smoothly loaded, unloaded, and stored. Also, check the receiving details with the consignee to ensure that there is someone to receive the goods when they arrive at the station, and ensure smooth communication throughout the process without any disruptions. Good communication is key to the successful implementation of hazardous shipping.
3. Risk Assessment: A professional team needs to conduct a simulated rehearsal of the entire hazardous shipping process, considering factors such as the climate and road conditions along the route, the suitability of the transportation vehicle, and the proficiency of the handling personnel in operation. Identify potential risk points and formulate targeted emergency response plans. Once an unexpected situation occurs, it can respond quickly and handle it scientifically. Risk assessment helps to minimize the potential risks in hazardous shipping.
4. Labeling and Marking: Correct and clear labeling and marking are the “silent alarms” of hazardous goods. Operators judge the characteristics and danger levels of the goods based on them and take corresponding protective and operational measures. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly post them on the packaging according to the standards, and there should be no blurring or mislabeling, so that the risks are “clearly visible at a glance”. Proper labeling and marking are essential for the safety of hazardous shipping.
5. Temperature and Environmental Control: Some hazardous goods are like “fragile passengers” and have strict requirements for temperature and humidity. For example, some biological preparations need to be refrigerated at a low temperature; otherwise, they will lose their activity and deteriorate. Chemical raw materials are prone to deliquescence and reaction when exposed to high humidity. During hazardous shipping, temperature and humidity control equipment must be equipped to create a suitable “journey environment”. Controlling the temperature and environment is important for maintaining the quality of hazardous goods during shipping.
6. Emergency Contact Information: A 24-hour accessible emergency contact person and phone number must be available throughout the hazardous shipping process. Once a crisis such as a cargo leak or fire breaks out, the on-site personnel can contact the professional rescue team immediately to minimize the losses and protect the safety of life and property. Having reliable emergency contact information is crucial for dealing with emergencies in hazardous shipping.

Hazardous shipping is like dancing on a tightrope. Every step is full of challenges and risks. However, as long as we strictly follow the rules and implement the details, we can ensure the safety of these special goods during hazardous shipping and make them reach their destinations smoothly, “escorting” the stable operation of the global industrial chain.