Ships, barges and other vessels carry and handle large quantities of various hazardous materials.

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) is the regulation that ocean carriers of hazardous materials and dangerous goods are required to follow and DOT accepts this regulation for shipments into US waterways. 

The US Department of Transportation and the International Maritime Organization provide mandates for maritime employers in the training of employees responsible for handling hazardous materials and dangerous goods.