The International Maritime Organisation has approved amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, making safter the transport by sea of ammonium nitrate

The revision, specifically to Clause 7.6.2.8.4, clarifies that UN 1942 ammonium nitrate and UN 2067 ammonium nitrate-based fertiliser may only be carried under deck if all hatches, including tween deck hatches, can be opened in an emergency to allow effective firefighting, ventilation and boundary cooling.

The change will come into effect on 1 January 2026 and stems from a 2022 International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) white paper which highlighted the under-recognised risks of fire during sea transport.