Dangerous goods officer

Dangerous goods are the concern of the dangerous goods officer

A shipping company must appoint a dangerous goods officer when its sea-going fleet transports dangerous goods. This may be an appropriately qualified person either employed ashore by the shipping company or hired externally. The German "Industrie- und Handelskammern" (Chambers of Commerce and Industry) offer training courses for the training of dangerous goods officer.

Training certificate required for masters and cargo officers

In addition to assigning a dangerous goods officer, the shipowner has to instruct his masters and cargo officers at least every 5 years about the requirements regarding dangerous goods. This instruction by the shipowner or by an external provider assigned by him is required according to section 4 paragraph 11 of the “Gefahrgutverordnung See” (GGVSee = maritime ordinance on dangerous goods). The shipowner has to document these instructions.

By way of exception, a separate instruction is not necessary if the captain’s or cargo officer’s final certificate of a maritime training institution – or an equivalent document – is not older than 5 years. The essential evidence is that the contents of teaching of the area of competence “carriage of dangerous goods” according to table A-II/2 of the STCW Code was taught.

Special training requirements for personnel on tankers

The required special tanker training has to be performed according to the internationally agreed standard and needs no additional national endorsement.

Special training requirements for shore-based personnel

Shipping companies with shore-based personnel directly involved in cargo operations - e.g., accepting dangerous goods, preparing transport documents and preparing stowage plans for dangerous goods – must ensure that the employees are instructed in accordance with their responsibilities. Legal basis for the instruction obligation is section 4, paragraph 12 of the German Gefahrgutverordnung See (GGVSee = maritime ordinance on dangerous goods).