What are considered "dangerous goods" in maritime transport?

The classification of "dangerous goods" in maritime transport primarily refers to substances that are characterized by hazards that can pose significant risks to health, safety, or the environment. This includes a wide range of materials such as explosives, flammable liquids and solids, toxic substances, corrosive materials, and radioactive goods.

International regulations, like the IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code), specifically define these hazardous materials and outline strict guidelines for their handling, packaging, labeling, and transportation to mitigate potential risks. Understanding that dangerous goods are evaluated based on their inherent characteristics that can lead to adverse effects during transport is crucial for safe maritime operations.

In contrast, while perishable substances requiring refrigeration are important for transport, they do not inherently carry hazards like toxic or explosive materials. Similarly, cargo weight limits and items restricted for international transport do not specifically encompass the risks associated with health and environmental dangers, thus not fitting the definition of dangerous goods in the maritime context. Therefore, identifying hazardous characteristics is key to ensuring safety in maritime transport.