Art. 112 - General Terms and Conditions :

A - Grouping System :

For purpose of berthing and cargo handling each of IMDG classes (Except Class 7, radioactive, see Chapter XVIII) is further divded by SCA into three groups. These groups are as follows :

  1. Group 1 : Substances representing high danger : no handling is allowed either for ordinary goods or dangerous goods; vessels carrying these substances are only allowed to have berth at Port Said outer harbour, bunkers taking place at the outer harbour basin.
  2. Group 2 : Substances representing medium danger, handling of cargo is allowed as follows:

    a) Containers can be handled in the inner harbour.

    b) General Cargo vessels can be handled by isolating the vessel in Port Said outer harbour basin. A vessel carrying not more than 100 tons total of these substances will not be given a special berth for handling the ordinary cargoes, providing holds containing these dangerous substances is kept closed while ordinary cargoes are being handled on these vessels.
  3. Group 3 : Substances representing minor danger : vessels carrying these substances shall be considered as ordinary vessel.

B - Description of Groups in Different IMDG Classes :

  1. Group 1 : (Substances representing high danger) :

    It contains the following :

    a) Class 1, explosives, (div. 1.1, div. 1.2, and div.1.3).
    b) Class 2, gases in large welded receptacles.
    c) Class 3, Inflammable liquids (div. 3.1 and div. 3.2) in large welded receptacles.
    d) Discovery of substances of its existence and/or stowage on board the ship, the Master has no knowledge.
    e) Hazardous wastes.
  2. Group 2 : (Substances representing medium danger) :

    It contains all substances of the Classes which do not belong to either Group 1 or Group 3.
  3. Group 3 : (Substances representing minor danger) :

    It contains the following :

    a) Class 1, explosives, (div. 1.5).
    b) Class 2, gases (non flammable compressed gas only).
    c) Class 3, Inflammable liquids (high flash point group only).
    d) Substances in Class 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 stated in Appendix No. 4.
  4. Vessels carrying more than one group at the same time will be treated as vessel of the higher dangerous group.