EnglishINTERNATIONAL MARITIME DANGEROUS GOODS (IMDG) CODE AMENDMENT 42-24
Published: 11 December 2025
The latest IMDG Code amendment was adopted in May 2024 by Resolution MSC.556(108).
Whilst the amendments have been available on a voluntary basis since 1 January 2025, the changes become mandatory from 1 January 2026.
Amendment 42-24 replaces the full text of the previous edition, and this has also resulted in a need to update the ‘Revised emergency response procedures for ships carrying dangerous goods (EmS Guide)’, resulting in MSC.1/Circ.1588/Rev.3, superseding the previous revision.
Electric Vehicles and Batteries
Reflecting the increased carriage of electric vehicles and batteries, there are several changes, such as:
New UN numbers are added for the following Class 9 dangerous goods:
- UN 3556 VEHICLE, LITHIUM ION BATTERY POWERED
- UN 3557 VEHICLE, LITHIUM METAL BATTERY POWERED, and
- UN 3558 VEHICLE, SODIUM ION BATTERY POWERED
Vehicles powered by these means, with batteries fitted, are now to be carried in accordance with these UN numbers, and not UN 3171.
These new entries are accompanied by modifications and additions to the list of Special Provisions (SP). For example, SP961 and SP962 are amended to reflect the addition of the new UN 3556, 3557 and 3558; and new SP404 and 977 are added in relation to the new UN 3558.
Lithium Batteries: A new note has been added to section 2.9.4.7 clarifying the term “make available”. This is defined as “manufacturers and subsequent distributors ensure that the test summary for lithium cells or batteries or equipment with installed lithium cells or batteries is accessible so that the consignor or other persons in the supply chain can confirm compliance.”
Sodium Ion Batteries: a new section 2.9.5 is added, explaining the safe transport provisions for this battery type, such as testing that aligns with the requirements for lithium batteries. New UN numbers are also added in the Dangerous Goods List (DGL).
- UN 3551 SODIUM ION BATTERIES with organic electrolyte, Class 9
- UN 3552 SODIUM ION BATTERIES CONTAINED IN EQUIPMENT or SODIUM ION BATTERIES PACKED WITH EQUIPMENT, with organic electrolyte, Class 9
Stowage and handling requirements: UN 3536 LITHIUM BATTERIES INSTALLED IN CARGO TRANSPORT UNIT, are now to be carried under Stowage Category D, meaning ON DECK only, and in the case of passenger ships carrying more than 25 passengers (or more than 1 passenger per 3m of overall length) carriage is PROHIBITED.
This cargo type is also now to be “Protected from sources of heat” and kept “Clear of living quarters”. Definitions for both these conditions are contained within section 7.1.2 of the Code.
Carbon
UN 1361 CARBON, animal or vegetable origin (Packing group II and III), have had all previous Special Provisions deleted, and new SP 978 added. SP978 sets out a number of requirements, such as, the UN N.4 test for self-heating shall not be used to exempt UN 1361 from the Code, and when packed in a Cargo Transport Unit, specific requirements for minimum head room requirement and maximum stowage height/block size of the package(s).
UN 1361 shipments, the transport document must now include the date of production, date of packing into packaging, and temperature of the material on the day of packing.
UN 1362 CARBON, ACTIVATED, has had SP 223 and SP925 deleted, and a new SP 979 added. SP979 sets out the circumstances in which the provisions of the Code do not apply to steam activated and chemically activated carbon.
For extensive explanation, see our article on the subject here.
Stowage Plan (Section 5.4.3.1)
When a detailed stowage plan is used in place of a special list or manifest, it must now also identify the primary hazard class(es) and subsidiary hazard(s), in addition to setting out the location of all dangerous goods and marine pollutants.
New UN Numbers
A further six new UN numbers are added to the DGL in this amendment:
- UN 0514 FIRE SUPPRESSANT DISPERSING DEVICES, Class 1.4S
- UN 3553 DISILANE, Class 2.1
- UN 3554 GALLIUM CONTAINED IN MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, Class 8
- UN 3555 TRIFLUOROMETHYLTETRAZOLE SODIUM SALT IN ACETONE, with not less than 68% acetone, by mass, Class 3
- UN 3559 FIRE SUPPRESSANT DISPERSING DEVICES, Class 9 and
- UN 3560 TETRAMETHYLAMMONIUM HYDROXIDE AQUEOUS SOLUTION with not less than 25% tetramethylammonium hydroxide, Class 6.1.
For full details on the amendments the IMDG Code in its entirety should be consulted.
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact the loss prevention department.
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