Which documents must a general cargo ship carry when it deals with dangerous cargo?
Short answer
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Document of Compliance for the carriage of dangerous goods (SOLAS II-2/19.4) | the ship’s authorisation: construction and equipment fit for the permitted classes |
| Dangerous goods manifest, special list or stowage plan (SOLAS VII/4.2) | what is aboard and where; a copy to the authority before departure |
| Dangerous goods transport document, shipper’s declaration (IMDG 5.4); container packing certificate (VII/4.1) | UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, quantity; correct packing and segregation |
| IMDG Code, EmS Guide, MFAG | classification, stowage and segregation; fire and spillage schedules; medical first aid |
| Cargo Securing Manual (SOLAS VI and VII) | how the units are stowed and secured, with the MSL of the devices |
- Authorisation: the Document of Compliance for the carriage of dangerous goods (SOLAS II-2/19.4): fire protection, separation from ignition sources, electrical arrangements, ventilation, protective and detection equipment for the permitted classes; issued by the Administration or its RO.
- Cargo documents: the dangerous goods manifest, special list or stowage plan (SOLAS VII/4.2) with the location of the goods; the shipper’s transport document (IMDG 5.4) with UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, quantity, EmS; the container or vehicle packing certificate (VII/4.1).
- Reference and emergency: the IMDG Code, the EmS Guide (fire and spillage schedules) and the MFAG.
- Securing: the Cargo Securing Manual (SOLAS VI and VII), with the MSL of the securing devices; a shifted dangerous goods unit is a fire or pollution casualty waiting to happen.
- Operation: stowage and segregation per the IMDG table, on or under deck per the schedule, away from accommodation and ignition sources; India: MS Act 2025 s.147.
- As Chief Engineer: the fixed fire-fighting, detection, ventilation and electrical safety behind the Document of Compliance are mine.
Full answer
The full answer explains each point step by step, with the regulations and figures behind it and the discussion from other candidates. It is in the MEO Class I section of the Marine One forum, open to members enrolled for the MEO Class I exam.