Carriage of dangerous goods at sea
The requirements for the transport of dangerous goods at sea are comprehensive and specific.
They have to be, to effectively protect the lives of seafarers, the safety of vessels and the
maritime environment. Read about the requirements below.
Multi-modal transport of dangerous goods
This document, sourced from the Ministry of Transport, gives guidance on the requirements for
handling dangerous goods for all modes of transport including carriage by sea.
Multi-modal transport of dangerous goods [PDF: 124Kb, x pages]
Maritime Rule Part 24A
Maritime Rule Part 24A sets out the responsibilities of seafarers, ship owners, shippers,
consolidators and packers in respect of dangerous goods to be carried by sea. This rule makes
mandatory in New Zealand, the packaging and stowage requirements of the International
Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
Maritime Rule Part 24A
Explosives
The transportation, storage, importation, manufacture and use of explosives are now regulated
under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996. This Act is
administered by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA).
Further information about managing explosives [ERMA]
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 [New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel
Office]
Applying for an exemption
The Director of Maritime New Zealand may exempt a ship from complying with a maritime rule
under certain special circumstances.
Applying for an exemption from a maritime rule
Reporting discharges and spills
All marine pollution discharges or accidental spills of harmful substances into New Zealand’s
waters need reported immediately. Details of who to report an incident to are provided below.
Who to report discharges and spills to
There are three organizations you can report marine pollution and spills to:
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The regional council responsible for the area where the spill occurred (see below)
Maritime New Zealand
Taupo Maritime Radio - phone +64 4 914 8333.
Contacting your local council
Wanganui District Council
101 Guyton Street
Wanganui
Mailing address:
P O Box 637
Wanganui
Phone 06 349 0001
Fax 06 349 0000
Email: wdc@wanganui.govt.nz
Web Address: www.wanganui.govt.nz
Location: Map of Wanganui CBD
Rangitikei District Council
Location: 46 High Street, Marton
Postal Address: Private Bag 1102, Marton 4741
Call Free: 0800 422 522
Phone: 06 327 0099
Fax: 06 327 6970
Email: info@rangitikei.govt.nz
Taumarunui (Main Office)
Located at: 59 - 63 Huia Street, Taumarunui 3920
Postal: P O Box 1001, Taumarunui 3946
Phone: 07 895 8188
Fax: 07 895 3256
Email: info@ruapehudc.govt.nz
Opening Hours: Monday To Friday 8.00am - 5.00pm
Manawatu District Council
Phone: 06 323 0000
Fax: 06 323 0822
Private Bag 10001
Feilding 4743
public@mdc.govt.nz
Palmerston North District Council
Telephone:
+64 (06) 356 8199
Fax:
+64 (06) 351 4471
E-mail:
info@pncc.govt.nz
Please provide details of the incident such as:
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when and where the incident occurred
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the name of the vessel involved
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the type and extent of pollution
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any other information which you think maybe important.
Maritime New Zealand 24-hour number
New Zealand (toll free): 0508 472 269
Oil spills – take immediate steps
Any oil discharge or accidental spill of oil into the water must be reported immediately.
Vessel operators should make all reasonable attempts to stop the discharge and prevent oil
reaching the marine environment. For example by plugging scuppers and collecting any oil from
the deck. Where possible oil should be contained and recovered from the water.
Permitted versus illegal discharges and spills
While vessels are permitted to dispose of some types of waste at sea, there are strict requirements
relating to the type of waste and the distance from land where the disposal may take place.
All pollution sightings should be reported. The appropriate authorities can then determine if the
discharge or waste disposal is authorised.
New Zealand’s marine environment protection legislation, regulations and conventions place
rules and limits on the discharge of harmful substances into the sea, from for example:
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oil, including waste oil, fuel oil, sludge, lube oil and additives
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chemicals
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sewage
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garbage including food, paper, bottles and plastics.
Marine environment protection legislation, regulations and conventions
Related links
Responding to spills and pollution
Marine environmental protection
Oil and oily waste
Sewage discharge regulations
Garbage disposal in the marine environment
Marine dumping
Chemicals and their risk to the Marine Environment
A wide variety of chemicals and other noxious liquid substances are shipped to, from and around
New Zealand. Release of these chemicals into the marine environment could have serious
effects.
Hazardous substances include foodstuffs like vegetable oils, by-products like tallow, and
synthetic chemical raw materials (feedstocks) used for industrial processes.
Noxious liquid substances are traded in significant quantities worldwide, and the conditions of
their carriage are governed by MARPOL 73/78 (the International Convention on Prevention of
Pollution from Ships).
Within the 12 mile limit, there are no permitted discharges of noxious liquid substances from
ships carrying these substances in bulk as cargo.
The Resource Management Act 1991 regulations cover discharges in the coastal marine area.
The marine protection rules cover:
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the type of ship that must be used to carry particular substances
permitted volumes of cargo residue that may be left in a tank before being washed (or
ballasted)
the residues permitted to be discharged into the sea
shipboard records and emergency preparedness requirements.
To visit this link, go to: Chemicals and their risk to the marine environment
Regulations, standards, legislation and conventions for the marine environment