TT Talk: IMDG Code Amendment 42-24 November 2025

 

The latest amendment of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code (42-24) becomes mandatory on 1 January 2026 and TT Club has responded with an updated version of its joint Book it Right and Pack it Tight guide and a new series of TT Briefs on hazardous cargoes.  

Failure to follow applicable regulations and guidance could result in catastrophic human, environmental and financial losses throughout the supply chain. Compliance is not only a regulatory necessity but a moral duty to protect seafarers, port workers, logistics personnel, emergency responders and communities, who all rely on the industry to ‘get it right’. 

IMDG Code revision 

The IMDG Code is the cornerstone of maritime safety for hazardous cargoes. Developed collaboratively by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Code has been mandatory for states contracted to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) since 2004, making it a global rulebook for the sea transport of dangerous goods.  

The latest revision, Amendment 42-24, enters into mandatory force on 1 January 2026. All stakeholders – shippers, forwarders, booking staff and container packers – must ensure their procedures and training are up to date to reflect these changes. 

According to NCB Hazcheck, there are over 60 revisions to the Dangerous Goods List, 11 new UN Numbers to cover emerging hazardous materials such as sodium-ion batteries and lithium-powered vehicles, more than 50 updates to packing instructions and over 30 modifications to special provisions.  

Dangerous goods guide update 

To support the industry in meeting its collective responsibilities, TT Club and the UK P&I Club jointly published the latest edition of Book it Right and Pack it Tight – Guidance on packing dangerous goods for carriage by sea – IMDG Code Amendment 42-24 in November 2025. This invaluable guide distils the operational steps required when booking and packing dangerous goods for carriage by sea. 

The publication is in two parts. Part A breaks down the process into clear steps: classification, packaging, marking and labelling, documentation, segregation, packing and certification. Part B provides essential reference material on classification, terminology and common issues such as limited quantities and segregation. 

New TT Brief series 

TT Club is also launching a new TT Brief series focused on dangerous goods. The aim is to reinforce the simple but vital message that compliance with dangerous goods regulations is not optional: it is a legal, operational and moral imperative.  

The first of these, on lithium-ion batteries, was published in November 2025. Targeting front line personnel, it aims to help transport and logistics professionals understand and mitigate the risk of handling, storing and transporting lithium-ion battery cargoes. 

Compliance takeaways 

All personnel involved in the handling, documentation and packing of dangerous goods must be appropriately trained. Chapter 1.3 of the IMDG Code sets out detailed requirements for function-specific and safety training. Employers have a duty of care to ensure their teams are competent and up to date. 
 
Every dangerous goods consignment must be correctly classified in line with the IMDG Code, with all hazards named and documented. The shipper’s declaration is a binding legal statement – errors or omissions can result in rejection, delays, fines or worse. 

The person responsible for packing dangerous goods into a cargo transport unit must ensure that goods are correctly named, labelled, segregated and secured. The packing certificate is a legally binding declaration of compliance.  

Incompatible goods must not be packed together. The IMDG Code provides detailed segregation rules and modern validation tools can help in ensuring compliance. On board, cargo planners rely on correct information to stow containers safely, mitigating risk to prevent incidents. 

The person responsible for packing dangerous goods into a cargo transport unit must ensure that goods are correctly named, labelled, segregated and secured. The packing certificate is a legally binding declaration of compliance.  

Finally, the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) is referenced by the IMDG Code as the definitive industry guidance for safe packing and securing of all cargo types in containers. The CTU Code and its checklists are freely available and should be standard reference material for all involved in container packing. Recognising the depth of the guidance within the CTU Code, the Cargo Integrity Group developed a Quick Guide focused on driving adoption of the code and making the content accessible to all.  

Conclusion 

With IMDG Code Amendment 42-24 about to come into mandatory force, now is the time to review and update procedures, invest in training and recommit to the fundamental goal of ensuring that dangerous goods are handled without incident and that accidents are prevented before they can occur. 

Non-compliance with Amendment 42-24 is not an option. Ignoring the rules is not just a regulatory issue – it is a direct threat to safety and business continuity. Those responsible for breaches may face prosecution, fines, and civil claims for damages.  

The TT Club’s joint publication Book it Right and Pack it Tight and new TT Brief series are vital resources for all supply chain participants. By sharing knowledge, promoting compliance and raising awareness of the risk of dangerous goods, we can strengthen our collective effort to protect lives, safeguard cargo and maintain trust in the global transport and logistics industry.