Before discussing what Pratibha should do next, review the basics of dangerous and hazardous cargo. Ask students if they can think of examples of dangerous cargo and also why it might need to be moved from one place to another. (Crude oil for gasoline might be a good example.)

Then ask students what Pratibha should do. They might answer that she should:

• Learn the rules about DNH cargo and what paperwork is required.
• Learn why the paperwork is important.
• Learn who is responsible for preparing the paperwork: at APL, at the customers’ company, on the ship, etc.
• Find out what is going wrong to delay the paperwork.

You may find the following background information helpful

What is dangerous and hazardous cargo? Dangerous and hazardous cargo is a specific designation that applies to goods that could cause harm to people or the environment during transport. The nine classes of dangerous and hazardous cargo include: (1) explosives; (2) gases; (3) flammable liquids; (4) flammable solids, substances liable to spontaneous combustion, and substances which, in contact with water emit flammable gases; (5) oxidizing substances and organic peroxides; (6) toxic and infectious substances; (7) radioactive materials; (8) corrosives; and (9) miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles.

Who regulates dangerous and hazardous cargo? The International Maritime Organization has developed a set of regulations for dangerous and hazardous cargo. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations which is responsible for measures to improve the safety of international shipping and to prevent marine pollution from ships. The IMO was created in 1959 and currently has 157 member nations. The IMO prepares regulations about marine safety which it proposes to its member nations for adoption. The IMO does not have the power to enforce its regulations; it merely proposes them. Regulations about shipping dangerous and hazardous cargo are enforced by individual nations. In the case of the United States, these regulations are enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation.