Know-how for safer supply chains

Dangerous goods classes explained

Every dangerous good is assigned to one of nine hazard classes under the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. That classification drives almost every logistics decision — from packaging and labelling to storage location and vehicle choice.

The nine classes

• Class 1 — Explosives: substances and articles with a mass explosion or projection hazard.
• Class 2 — Gases: flammable, non-flammable and toxic gases, including compressed and liquefied gases.
• Class 3 — Flammable liquids: solvents, fuels, paints and many resins.
• Class 4 — Flammable solids: including substances liable to spontaneous combustion or that emit flammable gases in contact with water.
• Class 5 — Oxidisers and organic peroxides: which can intensify fires.
• Class 6 — Toxic and infectious substances.
• Class 7 — Radioactive material.
• Class 8 — Corrosives: acids and alkalis that damage skin, metals and other materials.
• Class 9 — Miscellaneous: including environmentally hazardous substances and lithium batteries.

Why it matters for storage

Incompatible classes must be kept apart. Oxidisers stored near flammable liquids, or acids near alkalis, can turn a minor spill into a serious incident. A well-run DG warehouse assigns locations by segregation rules, not just by available space.

What to share with your logistics provider

A current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each product, the UN number, packing group, packaging type and quantities. With this information, a specialist can confirm the correct handling approach, permits and storage requirements before your cargo arrives.

Shipping chemicals globally: a preparation checklist

Moving chemicals across borders by sea, air or road is routine when the preparation is right. Most delays, rejected bookings and extra costs come from incomplete documents, packaging that does not suit the transport mode, or declarations that do not match the cargo.

1. Choose the right mode

Each transport mode has its own dangerous goods rules, and a product that is acceptable by sea may be restricted or forbidden by air.

2. Sea freight: what to know

• FCL or LCL: a full container (FCL) gives you control over packing and segregation. Many consolidators restrict or refuse dangerous goods in shared (LCL) containers, so check acceptance before you plan around LCL.
• ISO tanks for bulk liquids: ISO tank containers carry bulk hazardous liquids safely. Flexitanks are generally limited to non-hazardous liquids.
• Book early: dangerous goods bookings need the carrier’s approval, and some lines or vessels will not accept certain classes. Allow extra lead time compared with general cargo.
• Segregation: incompatible classes cannot travel together in the same container, and the IMDG Code also governs where containers are stowed on board.
• Placards and packing certificate: containers carrying dangerous goods must be placarded on all four sides and both ends, and packed under a container packing certificate.

3. Air freight: what to know

• Quantity limits per package are much tighter than by sea, and some products may travel only on cargo aircraft, marked “Cargo Aircraft Only”.
• The Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods must be completed and signed by a person trained under the IATA regulations.
• Packaging must be approved for air transport; packaging that is acceptable for road or sea may not be.

4. Documents checklist

• Current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each product
• Dangerous goods declaration (IMO declaration for sea, Shipper’s Declaration for air)
• Commercial invoice and packing list that match the declaration exactly
• Container packing certificate for sea shipments
• Bill of lading or air waybill, issued by the carrier or forwarder
• Certificate of origin, import permits and licences where the destination requires them

5. Common mistakes that delay shipments

• UN number, proper shipping name or packing group that differs between the SDS, labels and declaration
• Packaging that is not UN-approved for the product, packing group or transport mode
• Missing hazard labels, marks or container placards
• Booking dangerous goods too late for carrier approval
• Import permits or licences at destination arranged after the cargo has sailed

6. Plan the whole journey

International shipments often combine modes: trucking to the port, ocean or air freight, then delivery at destination. Each hand-over is a point where documents, labels and segregation are checked again, so plan them together rather than leg by leg.

How we help

From our Jurong terminal, our forwarding team prepares documentation, packs, crates and stuffs containers, and coordinates road, sea and air connections through established carrier partners, with a single point of contact from pickup to delivery.

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Leasing versus owning petroleum storage

Owning storage infrastructure ties up capital and brings ongoing compliance, maintenance and staffing obligations. For many traders and distributors, subleasing capacity is the smarter option.

When subleasing makes sense

• Your volumes fluctuate with market conditions or contracts.
• You are entering a new market and want to test demand before committing capital.
• You need additional capacity to take advantage of a pricing opportunity.
• You want to focus resources on trading and customers rather than infrastructure.

What to look for in a provider

A strong compliance record, appropriate licences, product segregation, accurate inventory reporting and the ability to integrate transport and handling services. Flexibility on terms is valuable — but never at the expense of safety.