The European logistics network unites European freight forwarding companies which offer the forwarding of various goods. There is a growing need for the transportation of dangerous goods.
These include: certain raw materials, basic materials, fuels, medical waste and many others. The dangerous goods are classified in accordance to their danger class, as follows:
- Class 1 – fireworks, rockets, flares and others.
- Class 2 – aerosols, butane, propane, ethane, methane, ethylene, propylene and others.
- Class 3 – acetone, alcohol, petrol, kerosene, diesel fuel and other flammable liquids
- Class 4 – sodium batteries, lighters, matches and other flammable solids
- Class 5 – oxidising substances and organic peroxides
- Class 6 – medical waste, biological waste, dyes and others
- Class 7 – radioactive materials
- Class 8 – acid solutions, solvents and others
- Class 9 – miscellaneous dangerous goods, such as: Lithium-ion batteries, magnetised materials and others
The classification of the dangerous goods is done in accordance to the ADR international agreement.
Processing dangerous loads
Due to the risk for the environment and the employees of the freight forwarding companies, the processing of the dangerous loads requires special training of the personnel.
An especially important requirement is to adhere to the limitations for accepting dangerous loads for forwarding only in suitable containers.
Containers for transporting dangerous goods
The freight forwarding member companies of the European network for logistics accept dangerous goods or materials in the following container types:
- Bottles – for transporting gas substances which are pressurised
- Small containers – suitable for the transportation of medical and radioactive freights
- Containers – for dangerous bulk cargo
- Tanks – for dangerous gaseous or liquid loads
Requirements for the transportation vehicles
The member companies of the European logistics network provide regular technical check-ups for the vehicles used for forwarding dangerous loads, in order to establish their compliance to all safety requirements. The vehicle cannot have more than one trailer or semi-trailer when transporting dangerous goods.
Marking the vehicles
One of the basic requirements for forwarding dangerous loads is that the vehicle is properly marked. The mark is placed on a visible spot. It needs to be clear, legible, and be able to withstand fire for at least 15 minutes.
Types of transportation for forwarding dangerous freights used by the European network for logistics services
- Road transportation – with vehicles tracked by satellites, in accordance to the ADR ordinance. The especially trained drivers include former military servicemen with special training and practice with dealing with and transporting dangerous materials and goods.
- Air transportation – the employees of the member companies of the European network for logistics are qualified for processing the documents for dangerous load forwarding via air transportation, and are familiar with the air routes of the different airlines and their different flights, so that they can choose the best option for each particular case.
- Sea transportation – a deeper knowledge of the maritime industry gives the member companies of IFA the opportunity to pick the most suitable solution for each particular case.