Dangerous Goods

Sydney Ports Corporation has a responsibility under legislation to control the conditions under which dangerous goods are handled or kept in defined port operational areas. We draw on information and advice from the:

• Australian Standard 3846 – 2005 “The Handling and Transport of Dangerous Cargoes in Port Areas
• International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
• International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) “Recommendations on the Safe Transport of Dangerous Cargoes and Related Activities in Port Areas”
• Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail Third edition (April 2009)
• Sydney Ports Corporation “Explosive in Port Areas” (June 2007)

It is a requirement that Sydney Ports must be advised of all dangerous goods to be imported or exported by vessel, including transhipments and/or goods transiting the ports.

In addition, Sydney Ports regulates the permitted time periods that dangerous goods can remain on a terminal. Failure to advise and/or manage your dangerous goods during these times, can result in penalties including fines.

Please refer to the Dangerous Goods Management Guidelines, for more information on:

• what is considered a dangerous or prohibited good
• time periods permitted for dangerous goods to remain on a terminal
• threshold quantities
• how to lodge/notify Sydney Ports of dangerous goods.

The method of notification of dangerous goods is via electronic lodgement in Sydney's Integrated Port System (ShIPS).

ShIPS is an electronic booking and approval system, accessed through the internet following user registration.