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Safeguarding the supply chain: A guide to transporting dangerous goods

In the intricate world of logistics, the transport of dangerous goods poses unique challenges that require specialised expertise and robust safety measures. These goods, encompassing a variety of materials such as chemicals, batteries, and fertilisers, demand meticulous handling to prevent risks to people, property, and the environment. Dachser South Africa has extensive experience in handling hazardous materials, including batteries and fertilisers, with a steadfast commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.

Managing Director of DACHSER South Africa, Detlev Duve, emphasises the importance of meticulous safety measures and adherence to international standards. "At Dachser, our priority is to ensure that all dangerous goods are transported safely and efficiently without compromising on quality or safety," says Duve. "Our teams are trained to manage the complexities of these shipments, adhering to the strictest compliance protocols."

Transporting dangerous goods involves navigating a complex landscape of regulations, safety concerns, and logistical hurdles. Duve outlines key considerations:

Regulatory compliance: Logistics companies must adhere to stringent international, national, and local regulations. This includes compliance with frameworks like the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Failure to comply can result in severe penalties and safety incidents.

Proper handling and packaging: Dangerous goods require specialised packaging that prevents leaks, spills, and other hazards. Handling these materials demands trained personnel equipped with the knowledge to manage risks effectively.

Complex supply chains: The logistics of dangerous goods often involve multi-modal transport, utilising road, air, and sea freight. Coordinating these modes while maintaining safety standards adds another layer of complexity.

Specialised training: Regular training programs ensure that employees are well-versed in handling hazardous materials and responding to emergencies.

Advanced technology: The use of real-time tracking systems allows for continuous monitoring of dangerous goods, enhancing both security and efficiency.

Emergency preparedness: Comprehensive emergency response plans and partnerships with local authorities are crucial for swift action in case of an incident.

DACHSER South Africa's operations are aligned with key frameworks such as the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, ensuring rigorous compliance across all levels. Duve highlights the company's strategic approach to managing hazardous materials: "Our specialised teams are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to handle dangerous goods at every stage of transport. From proper labelling and packaging to leveraging advanced technology for real-time tracking, we leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of operational excellence."

The company has invested in state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment as part of its commitment to safety. Warehousing facilities and vehicles are designed to accommodate the specific needs of hazardous materials, ensuring they are stored and transported in optimal conditions.

"Goods such as fertilizers and batteries require specialised knowledge and infrastructure to ensure their safe and efficient transport," says Duve. "For fertilisers, we must adeptly manage multi-modal transport systems, often combining road, rail, and sea routes to reach remote agricultural areas. This requires meticulous planning and coordination to ensure timely and efficient delivery. Regulatory compliance is another critical consideration, as the movement of fertilisers is subject to stringent safety and environmental standards across different countries."

Shipping lithium batteries involves strict regulations to ensure their safe transport and minimise fire or explosion risks. These rules define packaging type, labelling, documentation, and handling requirements. As Detlev Duve highlights, "Proper packaging is crucial for safety, requiring lithium batteries to be packed in strong, rigid outer packaging to resist damage. Packages must also feature specific labels to identify the battery type and associated risks. "Safety relies on clear communication and proper handling."

In addition to robust internal protocols, DACHSER South Africa maintains comprehensive emergency response plans and collaborates closely with local authorities to ensure rapid action in case of an incident.

As logistics continue to evolve, companies like DACHSER are paving the way for safer and more efficient transport of hazardous materials. "Our focus remains on setting benchmarks for safety and efficiency. We are proud to contribute to global supply chains, ensuring that even the most challenging shipments reach their destination safely," Duve says.

Best practices guide for transporting dangerous goods
Detlev Duve, Managing Director of Dachser South Africa

The transport of dangerous goods is a critical component of global logistics, demanding precision, expertise, and unwavering adherence to safety protocols. Transporting goods such as chemicals, fertiliser and batteries requires meticulous planning and execution to ensure safety and compliance. This guide outlines essential best practices that logistics companies should adopt to manage hazardous materials effectively.

1. Regulatory compliance

Adherence to regulations: Ensure compliance with international, national, and local regulations such as the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, ADR for road transport, and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for air transport.

Licensing and permits: Obtain necessary permits and licences for handling and transporting dangerous goods across different regions.

2. Proper labelling and documentation

Accurate labelling: Use standardised labels and placards that clearly identify the type of hazardous material being transported. This includes UN numbers and hazard class symbols.

Comprehensive documentation: Prepare detailed shipping documents, including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), transport manifests, and emergency contact information.

3. Employee training

Specialised training programmes: Implement regular training for employees involved in the handling and transportation of dangerous goods. Training should cover identification, handling procedures, and emergency response.

Certification: Ensure that personnel are certified to handle specific classes of dangerous goods, as required by regulations.

4. Use of appropriate packaging

Certified containers: Utilise packaging materials and containers that meet or exceed the standards set by regulatory bodies for the specific type of hazardous material.

Integrity checks: Conduct regular checks on containers to ensure they are free of leaks, damage, or deterioration.

5. Emergency response planning

Comprehensive plans: Develop and maintain updated emergency response plans that outline procedures for dealing with spills, leaks, or accidents involving dangerous goods.

Partnerships with emergency services: Collaborate with local emergency services and have clear communication channels for rapid response in case of an incident.

6. Regular audits and inspections

Internal audits: Conduct periodic internal audits to assess compliance with safety protocols and identify areas for improvement.

Third-party inspections: Engage independent experts to perform inspections and provide insights into best practices and emerging risks.

7. Adhering to international standards

Global best practices: Align company operations with international standards such as ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety.

Continuous improvement: Stay informed about updates to international standards and integrate changes promptly into company practices.

8. Leveraging technology

Real-time tracking: Implement GPS tracking systems to monitor the location and condition of dangerous goods throughout the supply chain.

Automated systems: Use automated systems for inventory management and compliance checks to minimise human error.

Implementing these best practices ensures that logistics companies can safely and efficiently transport dangerous goods while minimising risks to people, property, and the environment. By focusing on regulation, training, technology, and proactive planning, companies can enhance their operational standards and maintain a robust safety culture.

(ENDS)

About DACHSER:

Dachser, a family-owned company headquartered in Kempten, Germany, provides transport logistics, warehousing, and customized services in two business fields: Dachser Air & Sea Logistics and Dachser Road Logistics. The latter consists of two business lines: Dachser European Logistics and Dachser Food Logistics. Comprehensive contract logistics services and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s range. A seamless shipping network—both in Europe and overseas—and fully integrated IT systems ensure intelligent logistics solutions worldwide. Thanks to some 37,300 employees at 433 locations all over the globe, Dachser generated consolidated net revenue of approximately EUR 8 billion in 2024. The same year, the logistics provider handled a total of 83.2 million shipments with a tonnage of 44.1 million metric tons. Country organizations represent Dachser in 43 countries. For more information about Dachser, please visit dachser.com

Logistics 2030 – People make the difference

Logistics is a complex interplay between flows of goods and information in intelligent networks. People are and remain the key to their success and reliability. The maxim “Logistics is People Business” has many faces—in DACHSER’s overall strategy as well as in the everyday life at the family-owned company. 

Golden Week in China - October  2025

From October 1 to October 8, 2025, most businesses and factories in China will be closed for the National Day Golden Week holiday. As one of the world’s largest manufacturing hubs, this extended break may significantly impact global supply chains. Early preparation is key to minimizing potential disruptions.

About Golden Week

Golden Week is a 7-day national holiday in China that commemorates the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1. During this period, many people travel domestically or reunite with family. Like many other businesses, DACHSER in China will be closed from October 1 to October 8, 2025, and will resume normal operations on October 9, 2025.

What to expect during the holiday?

Factories and offices will largely suspend operations, resulting in a temporary halt in production.

Airports and seaports will continue functioning but with reduced staffing due to lower cargo volumes.

Government agencies, including customs, are typically closed during this holiday period, which may delay clearance processes.

How to prepare and maintain supply chain efficiency?

Given China’s pivotal role in global trade and manufacturing, this annual holiday period may influence logistics timelines and production schedules. To ensure continuity and reduce potential delays, we recommend the following actions:

Coordinate with suppliers and customers to secure adequate inventory and align expectations.

Share your shipment forecasts with us to support long-term planning and identify optimal logistics solutions.

Sea freight: Service disruptions, including blank sailings, are anticipated. For LCL cargo movements, please stay closely connected with our office to stay informed of schedule changes and plan loading accordingly.

Air freight: The cut-off time for Standard service is 12:00 noon on September 29, 2025, and for Speed/Express service, it is 12:00 noon on September 30, 2025.

For further assistance or to discuss your logistics needs, please reach out to your regular DACHSER contact. We’re here to help you plan ahead and ensure a smooth transition through the holiday period.

For a sustainable society: More and more NGOs are taking action around the world

In the course of globalization, internationally networked non-governmental organizations or NGOs are playing an increasingly important role. DACHSER’s partnership with children’s aid organization terre des hommes demonstrates how a company can support an NGO over the long term.

Environmental protection, human rights, joint development projects, migration, anti‑discrimination: the importance of non-governmental organizations, or NGOs, for society is great. Independent of states and governments, they advocate for social, socio-political, or environmental issues. The coronavirus crisis is making the work of NGOs more urgent, as humanitarian aid in developing countries is now more important than ever. This is a challenge for many such organizations, as their work is often hampered by travel bans as well as difficult working conditions and hygiene measures on site. In addition, many of those who donate are less willing to do so in times of crisis. Yet this is exactly what NGOs depend on, because in addition to membership fees, donations are their main source of financing. Transparency with regard to an organization’s cash flow and what it achieves with those funds is now all the more critical for strengthening donor confidence. Many NGOs inform their donors regularly via press releases, newsletters, or on their website about individual projects and the use of funds. NGOs are also monitored by auditing companies and the relevant tax authorities to ensure that they are using donations correctly. A “donation seal” from the German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI), headquartered in Berlin, helps engender even greater trust on the part of the donors. The seal guarantees that the respective NGO is trustworthy and that the work they do is respectable.

DACHSER supports terre des hommes

According to estimates, there are currently tens of thousands of NGOs worldwide, providing medical care in crisis areas, looking after refugees, supporting micro-enterprises in the start-up phase, and more. One of the leading children’s aid organizations is terre des hommes. Founded in Germany in 1967, the organization protects children from slavery and exploitation, cares for the victims of war, violence, and abuse, and provides education and training for children. The German arm of terre des hommes currently supports 386 projects around the globe. International logistics provider DACHSER has been supporting the work of terre des hommes in South Asia, southern Africa, and Latin America since 2005. In keeping with the principle of “helping people to help themselves,” terre des hommes implements local aid projects to permanently improve the lives of children and the others in their villages. “As a global logistics company, we have operations around the world that bring people, markets, and manufacturing closer together. Yet not everyone is experiencing the benefits of globalization. It is our responsibility to stand up for these people and improve their living conditions,” explains Bernhard Simon, CEO at DACHSER.

By extending its contract with terre des hommes through 2025, DACHSER will be supporting the North Indian state of Bihar as well as projects in New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Taking a look at the latter, Ingrid Mendonca is coordinating an aid project there for terre des hommes Germany and is enthusiastic about the commitment of the locals, especially now during the coronavirus pandemic. “Not only do the youth groups support their own communities, sew masks, and procure food, but they are also getting in touch with young people in other villages, districts, even states and getting organized,” Ingrid Mendonca says. “Their commitment to improving the situation is inspiring.”

DACHSER employees also benefit from their employer’s commitment to social responsibility and can support terre des hommes projects on site. For example: Melanie Diem, Team Leader Project Management at DACHSER, coordinated a sustainability project by terre des hommes and DACHSER in Livingstone, Zambia. DACHSER Young Professionals and students from the terre des hommes network took part in the project. “The participants’ commitment to the cause was very impressive. DACHSER employees have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the work of an NGO, an area with which they might otherwise never come into contact,” Melanie Diem explains.

A special kind of commitment

The partnership between DACHSER and terre des hommes shows that together, a commercial company and an NGO can achieve amazing things. “Our collaboration with DACHSER is particularly valuable and important to us because it involves a huge personal commitment and open and honest dialogue,” says Stephan Stolze, head of the fundraising department at terre des hommes. “DACHSER’s employees and CEO Bernhard Simon in particular are deeply involved in the terre des hommes projects funded by DACHSER. They want to know how the people on the ground are doing and to what extent DACHSER’s support succeeds in helping to improve the living conditions of the local people.” In 2018, DACHSER’s commitment was recognized with the German CSR Award in the “Social Engagement” category. Partnering with an NGO makes DACHSER a pioneer, as only a few companies in Germany support internationally active NGOs. “Larger, international companies in particular should seriously consider the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and support projects in these areas for as long as they can,” Stephan Stolze says.