When transporting electronics, machinery, or clothing, even though these commodities are traded globally regularly, shipping them is not easy. Shipping companies in Dubai have to go through strict regulations, extensive documentation, and coordination between multiple parties.
And then there are some commodities known as dangerous goods. They bring a challenge of their own. Every year, millions of dangerous cargo goods are transported from one country to another. They are mostly chemicals, flammable liquids, gases, and other materials.
If they are not handled with great care, then a lot can go wrong. That’s why there are strict protocols and regulations in place when shipping any dangerous goods commodity.
What are Dangerous Goods?
So what are dangerous goods? Let’s understand it with standard definitions. As per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), dangerous goods (DG) are those goods that have a particular risk. This risk is associated with people, property, or the environment during the transportation of these goods.
Examples of dangerous goods include: lithium batteries, power tools, fuel, pesticides, fireworks, propane gas cylinders, and certain adhesives or paint thinners.
Nine Main Classes of Dangerous Goods
International organizations and governments have made nine classes (categories) for dangerous cargo goods. The purpose of these classifications is to make dangerous goods easy to identify. And also help shippers, carriers, and regulators ensure that every hazardous item is handled in a way that protects people, property, and the environment.
Here are the nine classes of dangerous goods:
Class 1: Explosives (e.g., fireworks, ammunition)
Class 2: Gases (compressed, liquefied, or dissolved under pressure; e.g., propane, oxygen cylinders)
Class 3: Flammable liquids (e.g., gasoline, alcohol, paint)
Class 4: Flammable solids, substances liable to spontaneous combustion, or substances that emit flammable gases when in contact with water (e.g., matches, sulfur)
Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides (e.g., bleach, certain fertilizers)
Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances (e.g., pesticides, medical samples, infectious materials)
Class 7: Radioactive materials (e.g., medical isotopes, nuclear materials)
Class 8: Corrosive substances (e.g., acids, strong cleaning agents)
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles that pose a hazard during transport but don’t fit into other classes (e.g., lithium batteries, dry ice)
How Dangerous Goods Are Shipped Safely
1. Compliance with International Regulations
Whenever a client wants to ship any dangerous goods with any logistic company, they have to meet the compliance and international regulations. The regulations include the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code for sea transport, International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations for air freight, and ADR regulations for road transport in Europe.
Now, these compliance and regulations were made to make sure these dangerous goods are thoroughly checked and transported safely. If any of these regulations are not met, your goods simply cannot be shipped.
2. Specialized Packaging
The shipping of DG cargo starts with proper packaging. International rules require that dangerous goods be packed in a way that keeps them safe and prevents leaks, spills, or reactions during transport.
- The packaging must meet UN-approved standards, which can include tests like drops, pressure, or stacking to ensure it’s strong enough.
For example, if you’re shipping a chemical like a cleaning acid, the container must be made of a material that the acid won’t damage. It also needs to be sealed tightly so nothing can leak, even if the package is dropped or stacked with other cargo.
3. Clear Labeling, Marking & Documentation
Next, every package must clearly show hazard labels, handling symbols, and proper numbers so that carriers and handlers can quickly understand the risks. The nine classifications of dangerous goods also help with this, as each class has its own standard label.
For example, if you’re shipping a flammable liquid like paint thinner, the package will display a red label with a flame symbol (class 3) to show it’s highly flammable. Corrosive chemicals (class 8) like strong acids use a black-and-white label showing a test tube spilling onto a hand and a surface, warning of the corrosive hazard.
One more thing here is that proper documentation is also very important. The shipper must include details like the dangerous goods’ classification, quantity, type of packaging, and emergency response instructions.
These documents travel with the shipment, so everyone involved (carriers, customs, and handlers) knows what they are dealing with and how to respond safely in case of an accident.
4. Trained Personnel
For regular cargo, anyone can usually pack or move the items following standard procedures. But for dangerous goods, only trained and certified personnel are allowed to pack, handle, or transport them.
These trainings cover hazard awareness, emergency procedures, and the correct use of protective equipment. Regulations often require refresher courses every two years. At Alliance, our staff are fully trained to handle every DG shipment safely and according to the rules.
5. Segregation and Stowage
Segregation means keeping incompatible chemicals apart so they don’t react with each other. Stowage refers to how and where the goods are placed in a truck, ship, or container to prevent accidents during transport.
If you’re shipping hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, these two chemicals must be segregated because they react violently if they come into contact. Proper stowage ensures each container is placed securely, with enough space and support, so nothing tips over or spills while in transit.
6. Use of Specialized Transport Equipment
For every dangerous good, the requirements can be very different. Some are liquids, some are gases, and some are solids that need special handling. That’s why standard shipping containers, like the 20- and 40-foot boxes used for regular cargo, often cannot be used for dangerous goods.
For sea shipments, special ventilated containers for chemicals or insulated containers for temperature-sensitive goods are used. For air transport, cargo may need to be packed in fire-resistant or pressure-tested containers to meet airline safety rules.
7. Emergency Preparedness
Even when all rules are followed, accidents can happen. That’s why emergency plans are made. Emergency preparedness means having clear plans and procedures ready in case something goes wrong during transport.
For example, imagine a truck carrying sulfuric acid gets into a minor accident, and a container starts leaking. Without proper emergency procedures, the spill could cause serious injuries or damage.
With emergency preparedness, the driver and responders know exactly how to contain the spill, use protective equipment, and alert the authorities to prevent the situation from escalating.
8. Continuous Monitoring and Final Delivery
Many dangerous goods shipments are tracked using GPS and advanced sensor technology. These sensors can monitor temperature, humidity, pressure, and even detect leaks or container damage in real time. It allows the shipper and carrier to respond immediately if anything goes wrong, preventing small issues from turning into major accidents.
Once the shipment reaches its destination, trained staff carefully follow safe unloading procedures. They inspect each package to ensure it arrived intact and check that no leaks, spills, or damage occurred during transit.
Any waste materials, such as used packaging or absorbents, are handled and disposed of according to strict environmental and safety regulations. This full chain of monitoring and careful handling ensures that dangerous goods are transported safely from start to finish.
So this is the entire process followed to ship any dangerous goods safely. Alliance Shipping Dubai, as mentioned, has been handling the dangerous goods shipments. Over the years, we have been sending safe cross-stuffing of hazardous materials to and from GCC countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
