Dangerous Goods or Hazardous Goods have been given this name for a reason. These goods need to handle with utmost care and consideration of its dangerous nature and any mis-declaration, miss-communication or incorrect documentation could have severe consequences and could prove disastrous to human lives on shore or on a ship. Dangerous goods (also referred to as Hazardous Cargo) means the substances, materials and articles that are covered by the IMDG Code and is cargo that is considered to be hazardous because of its flammable, corrosive, poisonous nature or other properties.
IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) is a code adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization by resolution MSC.122(75) for the carriage of Dangerous Goods (Hazardous Cargo).
