Merchant Shipping Act: Dangerous Goods Regulations Amended and in Force

Posted 19 June 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Transport

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Transport has published and brought into immediate force amendments to the regulations governing the carriage of dangerous goods by sea.

In terms of section 356 of the Merchant Shipping Act, No. 57 of 1951, the Minister of Transport has promulgated amendments to the Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods) Regulations. These amendments, which were previously published in draft form for public comment in September 2023, came into force on the date of publication in the Government Gazette.

The updated regulations align South Africa’s maritime safety framework with international standards, specifically updating compliance requirements for the packaging, labelling, stowage, and carriage of dangerous goods.

The amendments have direct implications for:

  • Shippers, cargo handlers, and ship agents operating in South African ports.
  • Vessel owners, masters, and crew members responsible for the safe stowage and carriage of hazardous substances.
  • Compliance officers and legal advisors managing maritime transport and logistics operations.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; impact is channelled through professional advisory roles in maritime and logistics compliance.
  • For your business: Maritime logistics firms and shipping agencies must immediately update their cargo acceptance, stowage, and manifest procedures to comply with the revised dangerous goods standards.
  • For your clients: Importers, exporters, and manufacturers of hazardous chemicals or materials must ensure their packaging, safety data sheets, and declarations conform strictly to the amended regulations to avoid cargo delays or penalties at South African ports.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/merchant-shipping-act-dangerous-goods-regulations-amended-in-force

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