Laws in Dangerous Goods Shipping

Before digging shipping dangerous goods, you need to first understand the procedures when you are declaring these dangerous goods.

This information is taken from the Maritime and Port Authority Singapore. Let’s continue…

Declaring Dangerous Goods

Procedures for declaring Dangerous Goods (DG). Information with respect to changes in Regulations, weight limitation of First Schedule items at respective terminals, berths, jetties, and anchorage, and the list of First Schedule items can be obtained in the Appendices.

Procedures for Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration

1. Reference is made to Regulations 40, 43 and 44 of the MPA (Dangerous Goods, Petroleum and Explosives) Regulations 2005 wherein the owner, agent or master of any arriving vessel carrying dangerous goods or intending to load or discharge dangerous goods in the port is required to give prior notice.

2. Pursuant to Regulation 76(3) of the above-mentioned Regulations, the following are to be complied, with respect of the advance notification to be submitted under the said regulations 40, 43 and 44:

• Submission of Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration through PSA PORTNET

• Submission of Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration through JP-Online.

• Submission of Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration through MPA Marinet.

3. For submission of Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration through PSA PORTNET, JP-Online and MPA Marinet, the declaration shall be submitted not less than 12 hours:

• Before the vessel’s arrival for discharging or in transit DG in the port; or
• Before the loading of DG onto a vessel.

4. For Dangerous Goods (DG) to be handled/in-transit at a location other than PSA Terminals and Jurong Port, the declaration may be submitted in hard copy.

• The completed declaration forms PM4-0485A4 shall be transmitted to MPA’s Hazardous Cargo Section via Fax: 6325 2400;
• The said declaration form shall be submitted not less than 24 hours prior to the vessel’s reported time of arrival in the case of dangerous goods in transit or for discharging in the port. When loading DG, 24 hours prior to commencement of loading.
• The said declaration must be completed neatly and clearly:
  • The correct technical name, IMO Class, UN Number, and flash point (if applicable) must be given. Trade names alone shall not be used.
  • The estimated date and time of the vessel’s arrival in the case of DG for discharging or in transit must be stated.
  • Similarly, in the case of loading, the estimated date and time of loading must be given.
  • All weights and temperatures shall be given in metric units (i.e. kilograms and degrees Celsius).
  • Container numbers and stowage positions (if applicable) are to be clearly indicated.
  • At the anchorage when loading or discharging MPA First Schedule Dangerous Goods (DG), the license numbers of the harbor craft must be declared in the column provided to the said declaration form.

5. For the following types of cargo, the documents listed below shall be submitted with the Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration:

• Ammonium Nitrate
  • Certificate of Analysis (COA) issued by a body deemed competent by the Authority. The percentage of total combustible matter (including organic matter calculated as carbon) must be clearly stated in the certificate.

• Radioactive Substances
  • The approval from the Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science Department (RPNSD);
  • To obtain the approval from RPNSD, you should complete the Transit form or Transhipment form by RPNSD and submit together with the details of package design, Certificate of approval of package design, the Shipper’s certificate and certification by competent authority of the types and quantities of radioactive materials in the shipment to the Director of the Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science Department from the National Environment Agency

• Nuclear Material
  • From 22 October 2014, all transit of nuclear material through Singapore will require a licence from the National Environment Agency (NEA) Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science Department (RPNSD). The nuclear material is as defined under Radiation Protection Act (RPA) and extracted below:
  • “Nuclear Material” means:
    • Plutonium except for plutonium with an isotopic concentration of plutonium-238 exceeding 80%;
    • Uranium-233;
    • Uranium containing uranium-233 or uranium-235 or both in such an amount that the abundance ratio of the sum of those isotopes to uranium-238 is greater than the ratio of uranium-235 to uranium-238 occurring in nature;
    • Uranium with an isotopic concentration equal to that occurring in nature; or
    • Any material containing one or more of the foregoing, that is used for peaceful purposes but does not include uranium in the form of ore or ore residue.
  • The license fee is $40 per consignment, similar to the current license fee for import and export of radioactive material.
  • In addition to NEA’s license, approval from Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is also required for shipment of nuclear material transiting through Singapore.

6. For submission storage of Dangerous Goods (DG) at the terminals, port users should inquire with the relevant terminal operators and obtain their approval where necessary.

7. Please note that some Dangerous Goods (DG) are also strategic goods controlled under the Strategic Goods (Control) Act. Unless otherwise stated, a strategic goods TradeNet® permit will be required prior to the export, transshipment, or bringing in transit of goods that are controlled as strategic goods. You may refer to the Strategic Goods Control List to check if your items are strategic goods. For more information on strategic goods control, you may refer to the Strategic Goods Control website or contact the Singapore Customs.

8. For inquiries or any clarification concerning these procedures for Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration, please contact the Hazardous Cargo Section Marine Environment & Safety Department of the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore.