The 15 Most Dangerous Types of Cargo Revealed

The Cargo Integrity Group, a coalition of industry bodies, has identified fifteen types of cargo that can compromise supply chain safety if not handled properly. These cargoes, known as 'Cargoes of Concern,' can cause dangerous incidents under certain conditions. The group urges everyone involved in handling these goods to follow all regulations, the CTU Code, and industry best practices.

The cargoes are divided into three categories:

Reactive Hazards

These can catch fire and cause significant damage. Examples include:

Charcoal/carbon
Calcium Hypochlorite
Lithium-ion batteries
Cotton and wool
Fishmeal and krill
Seed cake

Spill or Leak Risks:

These can harm health and the environment if not packed properly. Examples include:

Hides and skins
Wine
Bitumen
Cocoa butter
Waste (recycled engines and parts)
Vegetable and other oils, especially in flexitanks

Improper Packing Consequences

Poorly packed cargo can lead to severe accidents. Examples include:

Logs and timber
Steel coils
Marble and granite

The Cargo Integrity Group aims to raise awareness about these hazards and promote the use of the CTU Code for safe packing and handling. They plan to publish additional guidance on these cargoes in the coming months.

“The combined experience of our organizations has been harnessed to identify these categories and result in pinpointing some commodities where the risks are perhaps less obvious,” said Peregrine Storrs-Fox, Risk Management Director at TT Club. “While the potential dangers of transporting, for example, calcium hypochlorite or lithium-ion batteries might be more widely appreciated, the combustible qualities of seed cake or the hazards associated with cocoa butter or vegetable oils will be less well-known,” he added.

The Cargo Integrity Group, which comprises the Bureau International des Containers, Container Owners Association, FIATA, Global Shippers Forum, ICHCA, TT Club, and World Shipping Council, said it hoped the list would encourage more stakeholders to use the CTU Code.

“Complying with regulations and following the advice in the CTU Code saves lives, and we appeal to everyone shipping, packing and handling commodities that fall within the categories of these Cargoes of Concern to be particularly diligent,” added Lars Kjaer, Senior Vice President of the World Shipping Council.