Over a century ago, maritime chemical logistics operated without standardized rules, leading to severe accidents and cross-border confusion. The 1912 Titanic disaster served as the key catalyst for structured safety rules under SOLAS, leading to dedicated regulations for dangerous goods. Air transport challenges during the 1948 Berlin Airlift further highlighted the need for modal-specific rules, driving the UN to create a unified 9-class hazard system.
Based on the UN framework, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) created the IMDG Code in 1965, which became mandatory globally on January 1, 2004, under SOLAS Chapter VII and MARPOL Annex III. The Code was later simplified into a 2-volume format and updated biennially to cover modern tech like lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. Dedicated codes also govern bulk cargo: the IBC Code (liquid chemicals), IGC Code (liquefied gases), and IMSBC Code (solid bulk cargoes like nickel ore and coal), establishing a complete safety framework for global shipping.