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Dangerous Goods

Port Otago strongly emphasizes safety for our people, our community, and our environment.  Government regulations specify maximum dwell times on port for various classes of dangerous goods.  To ensure compliance, we have established strict rules and regulations for managing dangerous goods within our port facilities, which are outlined below.

We ask that you plan ahead to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and prioritize the collection of imported dangerous goods or the delivery of export dangerous goods within the allowable timeframe.

Should you require any assistance please email us at dangerous.goods@portotago.co.nz or phone +64 3 472 7890.

Restrictions & Regulations

Dangerous goods of any class entering Port Otago must be notified and transported in accordance with the specific regulations, restrictions and timeframes set by the following:

 

Notification & Compliance

Pre-Arrival Documentation

48 hours prior to intended vessel arrival, shipping lines, importers and their agents must email dangerous.goods@portotago.co.nz with relevant documentation that includes but is not limited to the following:

  • Hazardous cargo manifest

  • Dangerous goods certificates

  • EPA Certificates

  • BaplieFile

All documentation must be provided in English.

 

Export Containers

Port Otago requires receipt of a valid export booking that contains applicable class and UN numbers, prior to export pre-advice.

Exports must be pre-advised prior to gate-in, with hazard information completed in full.

Exports may not gate-in earlier than their class permits, and may not remain in the container terminal, should their loading be delayed for whatever reason.

Transport companies must ensure that drivers handling dangerous goods are properly trained and certified in accordance with the Land Transport Safety Act. For further details, please refer to the NZ Transport Agency guidelines. Dangerous goods carried by transport operators | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (nzta.govt.nz)

 

Class

Rules

Transit Cargo

Transhipment Cargo

1

Class 1.4B, 1.4C, 1.4E, 1.4G and 1.4S, 1.3G must be removed within 24 hours of arrival.

All other class 1 must be direct to/from motor vehicle.

Class 1.4B, 1.4C, 1.4E, 1.4G and 1.4S, 1.3G:

  • Certificate from EPA to be with the Harbour Master and Planning and Control.
  • Cargo may remain on vessel.

Stowage only for 24 Hours: Class 1.4B, 1.4C, 1.4E, 1.4G and 1.4S, 1.3G

 

 

2

2.1 in ISO tanks must be removed within 24 hours of arrival.

All other class 2 not in ISO tanks must be removed within 72 hours.

Cargo may remain on vessel.

Can be stowed for 72Hours, apart from ISO Tanks (24Hours)

 

3

Class 3 in ISO tanks must be removed within 24 hours.

Class 3 no ISO tanks must be removed within 72 hours.

Cargo may remain on vessel.

Can be stowed for 72Hours, apart from ISO Tanks (24Hours)

 

4

4.2 must be removed within 24 hours of arrival.

All other class 4 must be removed within 72 hours.

Cargo may remain on vessel.

4.2 can be stowed for 24Hours.

All other class 4 can be stowed for 72 hours.

5

5.1.1A Must be direct to/from motor vehicle.

All other class 5 must be removed within 72 hours.

Cargo may remain on vessel.

Stowage only for 24 Hours

 

6

All class 6 must be removed within 72 hours.

Cargo may remain on vessel.

Can be stowed for 72Hours.

 

7

All other class 7 must be direct to/from motor vehicle.

Certificate from EPA to be with the Harbour Master and Planning and Control.


Containers can be loaded under deck in remote areas not planned to be worked.

Not permitted. 

 

8

All class 8 must be removed within 72 hours.

Cargo may remain on vessel.

Can be stowed for 72Hours.

 

9

All class 9 must be removed within 72 hours.

Cargo may remain on vessel.

Can be stowed for 72Hours.

 

 

Management of Class 1 Explosives at Port Otago

Regulatory Compliance

All conditions stipulated by the Harbour Master and the EPA Certificate must be strictly adhered to.

Storage and Discharge

Explosives with a Net Explosive Quantity (NEQ) of less than 27 kg may remain on the vessel or be landed and stored as directed by Port Otago.

Explosives with an NEQ of less than 16,000 kg must be arranged for discharge directly to a motor vehicle through Port Otago, VBS (Vehicle Booking System)

Handling Policy

To ensure compliance IMDG Code requirements, Port Otago operates on a ‘first off, last on’ policy for Class 1 Explosives.

Arrangements for motor vehicle transfers must be made 48 hours prior to arrival through Port Otago, VBS (Vehicle Booking System)

Charges and Storage

Any charges associated with motor vehicle bookings are the responsibility of the shipping company.

The shipping company must arrange for temporary storage of containers off-site, and plan for potential delays in the movement of containers to and from the Port terminal.

Specific Handling Instructions

Class 1.4S and 1.4G must be discharged within 24 hour of arrival and stored at a safe location as indicated by Port Otago.

Transshipment

Transhipment of Class 1 cargo is restricted to classes 1.3G, 1.4B, 1.4C, 1.4E, 1.4G, 1.4S.  They must be discharged within 24-hour of arrival.

IMDG Code Compliance

IMDG Code segregation requirements must be followed.

Receiving Containers by Road

Shippers must ensure that the driver provides a valid IMO Dangerous Goods Declaration. Incomplete or incorrect documentation may result in cargo rejection.

 

EPA Requirements 

Do you need a transhipment approval?

What is in the transhipment? What you need to do
No hazardous substances You do not need to apply for a transhipment approval or permit
Hazardous substances, no explosives (class 1 substances)

Contact us, the EPA, to discuss your plans, as you may need to apply for a transhipment approval if:

  • the substance(s) are unapproved for use in New Zealand, or
  • you cannot comply with the conditions of a substance’s approval while in New Zealand.
Hazardous substances, including explosives (class 1 substances)

Contact us to discuss your intentions, as you may need to apply for:

  • a transhipment approval from us, the EPA, and/or
  • a transhipment permit from WorkSafe New Zealand.

Please have the following information to hand when you contact us:

  • the flag of the vessel
  • details of the hazardous substances in the shipment: names, quantities, UN numbers, hazard class, and Net Explosive Quantity (NEQ) for explosives
  • the intended port(s), length of stay and proposed transhipment activities.

Making an application

Complete a transhipment approval application. Applications need to include information about the hazard substance/s, the intended transhipment arrangement and stowage plans. Application fees needs to be paid at the time of application.

Applications can be emailed to HSapplications@epa.govt.nz

Application form for approval for transhipment of a hazardous substance (DOCX, 137KB)

 

Who does what: hazardous substances in New Zealand

Roles summary EPA WorkSafe diagram

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