Fire incidents involving charcoal products in containers continue to occur. As a cargo, charcoal presents unique stowage and handling requirements and requires strict safety protocols. In addition to the fire hazard, misdeclaration is known to result in the carrier being unaware of the risk.
The upcoming 2024 edition of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code will include changes in the requirements applying to charcoal. This edition, incorporating Amendment 42-24, will become voluntary from 1 January 2025 and mandatory from 1 January 2026.
The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) Charcoal Work Group have updated their “Guidelines for the Safe Carriage of Charcoal in Containers”, reflecting the updated IMDG Code requirements.
CHARCOAL – ORIGIN, PROPERTIES AND USE
Charcoal is a lightweight substance composed mainly of carbon, produced by heating organic material with limited oxygen in a traditional kiln, or in a modern industrial process.
Wood is the most common source material, but charcoal may also be obtained from other materials such as nut shells, bark, animal bones etc. Charcoal products are available in various forms, mostly in lumps or briquettes.
The five biggest exporters of wood charcoal are Indonesia, India, Namibia, Myanmar, and Laos.
Charcoal may be offered for shipment under many trade names, some masking the presence of charcoal, potentially leading to a situation where associated risks are not recognised.
Full advisory at the following link.
https://britanniapandi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Safe-Carriage-of-Charcoal-in-Containers.pdf