Shipping goods back and forth across the world can sometimes be simple. But sometimes, and for certain types of items, it can be quite complicated. Handling hazardous cargo doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need to know what you are transporting. It’s properties and dangers that are involved. And plan accordingly. With an experienced Bahrain shipping company, you’ll be able to transport just about anything safely. As long as you follow the recommended guidelines. And take the necessary precautions.
Know the regulations regarding shipping hazardous cargo
The first, and most important, thing to know is your cargo. It doesn’t matter if you are the manufacturer or a trading company. If you want to ship dangerous goods, especially overseas, you need info. You need to know everything there is to know about handling hazardous cargo. And the first step towards it is to know the types of hazardous cargo.
Dangerous, or hazardous goods are materials or items with hazardous properties. Items which, if not under supervision and proper control, can present a danger. To either the health of all living organisms and the environment. They can be gases, liquids or solids. Hot or cold can smell terribly or not smell at all. And the hazardous effects range from very serious to mild. Some of the hazardous materials can be:
- Chemicals
- Mixtures of substances
- Manufactured products
Even if the items are safe to use, or even consumed by humans, they can be dangerous. And you should employ all the tips about handling hazardous cargo.
Hazardous cargo classification
There are many ways in which you can classify hazardous cargo. And some of the more common ones are poisonous, flammable, inflammable and explosive. There are also many other classes and subclasses as well as divisions. And you need to get familiar with them if you want to ship them around the world. As there are different regulations for different types of items. That’s why cold chain pharmaceutical logistics are different than when shipping flammable materials. And you need to get familiar with the regulations regarding your cargo in both origin, destination and transit countries.
Know your cargo
Once you get familiar with the regulations involving shipping and handling hazardous cargo, it’s time to pay attention to the cargo itself. If you are the manufacturer, you already know its properties. But, if you are a trader, shipper or carrier, you need to do some research. Each type of cargo is different. And needs to be handled differently. So, make sure you do your homework. Will you be needing a climate-controlled shipping container? Is there a need for extra precautions when shipping your items? How to pack and protect them? There are many questions that you need answers to.
Know the damage your cargo can cause if not properly handled
There are many items that, at first hand, look safe enough. Like nail polish or paint. But, they are also designated as hazardous materials. And need to be handled as such. Your cargo doesn’t necessarily have to be harmful to humans. But, if it’s spillage can cause harm to the environment, it will be listed as dangerous. In those cases, the use of salvage packaging is important. And should and even must be implemented. So, it’s important to know all the aspects of the items you are transporting. They can cause anything from acidic burning of the skin tissue to toxic fumes. While other items might cause harm to the environment or react dangerously to water.
Knowing the dangerous properties will make handling hazardous cargo safer and easier
If you are not the manufacturer, but a middle-man company, make sure you get all the necessary info. By doing so, you will prevent harm to people, animals, and the environment. As well as make sure that all the regulations are followed. It will make import customs clearance faster. And eliminate the risk of your cargo sitting in the dock. Or a warehouse while you get the necessary documentation.
Follow the regulations and protocols for shipping, packing and handling hazardous cargo
Following regulations can be costly. We all know that. But, there’s a good reason for them. They are in place to prevent harm to people, animals, and the environment. Not following them will result in huge fines. Which can bankrupt your company? And there are many regulations and regulatory bodies that deal with handling hazardous cargo:
- Transportation of hazardous cargo by sea is regulated by IMDG Code. It’s an internationally accepted regulation for the safe transport of hazardous materials and goods. Its purpose is to prevent pollution. And protect both the ship’s crew as well as maritime animals. It ensures the safe transportation and handling of hazardous goods of any kind.
- When transporting hazardous goods by road, it’s a different story. Every country has its own set of regulations. For example, ADR sets the rules for handling hazardous cargo on the roads of the EU.
- When it comes to shipping by air there are international regulations. IATA is assigned to making sure that the dangerous cargo is properly handled. Their Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) is a great source. It will help you prepare and document hazardous cargo.
Have a good cargo company at your side to help you with handling hazardous cargo
Taking care of packaging, shipping and handling hazardous cargo can be overwhelming. And it’s not something that every company should know. While you should know your product. You should have a professional cargo company at your side. They will ensure that your hazardous cargo arrives on time. And most importantly safely. And they can also take care of most of the documentation. Both related to regulations and regarding the shipment. It doesn’t matter if you ship it by sea, air or rail. A good cargo company will be able to handle almost everything for you.