BIC magazine n°4/2024

 MEDIA RELEASE

December 5, 2024

Pest-resistant container design took centre stage at a meeting between specialists from the global container shipping industry and biosecurity experts, aiming to address the $423 billion global challenge posed by invasive pests every year.

Attendees at The International Symposium on Optimising Container Design to Mitigate Risks of Pest Contamination included representatives from major carriers, leasing companies, container manufacturers, biosecurity experts, and plant health stakeholders.

“Container design has historically focused on production efficiency and durability, but in a global supply chain we must also prioritize pest resistance,” said Mike Downes, senior technical expert at BIC and Chair of the Container Cleanliness Industry Advisory Group supporting the IPPC’s Sea Container Focus Group (SCFG).

“By rethinking container design, we can mitigate the risks of invasive species and safeguard biodiversity, forests, and global food supplies,” Mr. Downes said.

A key focus was a groundbreaking study by the Australian government comparing standard containers with modified designs. The study revealed that while 8% of standard containers showed signs of pest contamination, the rate dropped to just 1.45% in modified units, demonstrating the potential of targeted design modifications.

“Data from interceptions collected by several countries indicate that approximately 90 per cent of pest contamination found on the external surfaces of sea containers is linked to the understructures, while contamination on internal surfaces is primarily associated with the floorboards,” said Rama Karri, Director at the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

The symposium looked at practical modifications such as floor designs that eliminate gaps and cracks and prevent nail holes; understructures with fewer horizontal ledge configurations; and the elimination of bitumastic under-coatings. These design changes aim to make containers less hospitable to invasive pests without compromising functionality or cost-efficiency.

At the end of the conference, a working group with representatives from the major container owners, operators and manufacturers was established to move forward the many promising ideas introduced. The group will present proposals for container design modifications to the IPPC’s SCFG and ultimately to the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) that oversees the IPPC’s activities in regard to container cleanliness.

“This is a critical societal issue, and collaborative efforts like this symposium are helping broaden our industry’s recognition of the problem and strengthen its commitment to accelerate efforts to create a pest-resistant supply chain,” said Lars Kjaer, Senior Vice President of the World Shipping Council.

The symposium was hosted in Rotterdam on 11^th November 2024, organised by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat in partnership with the Bureau International des Containers (BIC), the Container Owners Association (COA), and the World Shipping Council (WSC).

ENDS

Media contacts

	Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Rama Karri, Director, Hitchhiker Working Group, [email protected]
	Bureau International des Containers (BIC) Douglas Owen, Secretary General, [email protected]
	Container Owners Association (COA) Patrick Hicks, Secretary, [email protected]
	World Shipping Council (WSC) Anna Larsson, Communications Director, [email protected]

BIC magazine n°3/2024

Come and visit us on stand C60. You can register here.

MEDIA RELEASE

Cargo Integrity Group Calls on Governments to Report Findings of Container Inspections and on IMO to Continue Publishing Them

Tuesday, 17 September 2024

The Cargo Integrity Group (CIG) is calling on national administrations to carry out and report the findings of their container inspection programmes, and for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to continue collating and publishing the results in a publicly accessible form, to support efforts to improve safety in the carriage of goods by sea.

Under resolutions adopted more than 20 years ago member governments of the IMO agreed to conduct routine inspections of freight containers and the cargoes packed in them in a consistent way¹. The findings are to be submitted annually to IMO for collation and reporting so that a global picture of levels of compliance with international regulations and recommended practices can be obtained, and any appropriate safety improvements identified.

An analysis by partner organisations in the Cargo Integrity Group reveals that less than 5 per cent of 167 national administrations covered by the agreement are regularly submitting the results of their inspections to IMO in publicly available form. Whilst applauding the diligence of those governments making regular submissions, the Cargo Integrity Group is concerned at the overall low numbers of reports as this means that insufficient data is available for IMO or industry to draw reliable conclusions, fundamentally undermining efforts to improve the safety and sustainability of shipments by sea.

The Cargo Integrity Group understands that other states may be conducting inspections of containerized goods entering and leaving their countries but are not submitting the findings to IMO as agreed. Where such reports are not submitted to IMO there is no shared value.

CIG partners believe that common and consistent reporting of inspection findings is essential to help target communication and training programmes aimed at improving awareness of the requirements and recommended safe practices for the transport of goods in containers. These include the SOLAS Convention², the CSC Convention³, the IMDG Code⁴, and the CTU Code⁵.

The dangers posed by poorly packed, mis-handled or mis-declared containerized shipments has been demonstrated again recently in a series of fires and explosions aboard container ships. Whilst the precise circumstances of these incidents remain under investigation, the Cargo Integrity Group is concerned that measures already in place to help identify possible weaknesses are not being fully implemented and that opportunities for improving compliance standards are being missed.

CIG partner organisations are also alarmed to learn that the IMO is considering discontinuing the collation and publication of these reports in a form that is easily accessible to Industry. The future of this essential function by the global maritime regulatory agency is being decided in meetings taking place this week.

The Cargo Integrity Group calls on national administrations to fully implement their agreed actions on submitting container inspection findings to IMO to help improve standards in the safe and compliant transport of goods by sea and to follow-up on material deficiencies that may be discovered.

In addition, the Group calls on IMO to continue to publish the reported findings in a form that allows ready understanding of where efforts to improve awareness of, and compliance with, mandatory regulations need to be directed.

References:

1. Guidelines for the Implementation of the Inspection Programmes for Cargo Transport Units. IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1649, 20 May 2022.
2. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (The SOLAS Convention), 1974, entered into force on 25 May 1980.
3. The Convention for Safe Containers, 1972 (The CSC Convention).
4. The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (The IMDG Code), Amendment 41-22, effective from 1 January 2024.
5. The IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (The CTU Code) is published jointly by the sponsoring organisations and is a compendium of recommended practices to be followed by those packing or loading intermodal containers, road vehicles and railway wagons for international transport.

The Cargo Integrity Group has published a Quick Guide to the CTU Code and a Container Packing Checklist to support compliance with these requirements and recommendations. [Insert link]

ENDS

About the Cargo Integrity Group

The Cargo Integrity Group brings together international freight transport and cargo handling organisations with different roles in the supply chain and a shared dedication to improving safety, security and environmental performance throughout the logistics supply chain. The Bureau International des Containers, the Container Owners Association, FIATA, the Global Shippers Forum, ICHCA, TT Club and the World Shipping Council are cooperating on a range of activities to further the adoption and implementation of crucial safety practices and regulations.

Cargo Integrity Group Media Contacts

	Bureau International des Containers (BIC) Douglas Owen, Secretary General, [email protected]
	Container Owners Association (COA) Patrick Hicks, Secretary, [email protected]
	Global Shippers Forum (GSF) James Hookham, Secretary General, [email protected]
	International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association (ICHCA International) Maria Udy, Media contact, Portcare International, [email protected]
	FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations) Pritha Prasad, [email protected]
	TT Club Peter Owen, Media contact, Portcare International, [email protected]
	World Shipping Council (WSC) Anna Larsson, Communications Director, [email protected]

MEDIA RELEASE

Cargo Integrity Group Applauds Recent MSA Circular, Emphasizes Ongoing Commitment to Supply Chain Safety

September 5, 2024

The Cargo Integrity Group (CIG) commends the recent circular issued by the China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) following the explosion incident involving the vessel “YM Mobility” on August 9, 2024, at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. This incident, along with other recent fires aboard container vessels, underscores the critical need for enhanced safety measures and vigilance in the transport of dangerous goods by sea.

In its circular, the MSA reiterated the need for all shipping-related enterprises to implement comprehensive safety protocols, particularly during high-temperature seasons. This includes the rigorous management of dangerous goods, adherence to safety regulations, and thorough education and safety training for employees and crew members to handle potential risks effectively.

The Cargo Integrity Group echoes these sentiments. It is imperative that all parties involved in the supply chain – including shippers, freight forwarders, carriers, and port operators – recognize their roles and responsibilities in ensuring the safe transport of containers, both in compliance with dangerous goods regulations and in adopting sound industry practice, such as the CTU Code. Each party must contribute to a culture of safety that prioritizes the well-being of supply chain employees and vessel crews.

Key Responsibilities for Safe Container Transport:

1. Shippers: Must ensure that all cargo is correctly classified, packaged, and labelled according to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. Accurate and timely provision of emergency information to carriers is not just a regulatory requirement but a critical component in mitigating risks associated with the transport of dangerous goods.
2. Carriers and Shipping Companies: Must maintain robust safety management systems and conduct regular training and emergency drills to enhance the preparedness of crews. Proper stowage, segregation, and isolation of dangerous goods, along with diligent inspection protocols, are essential to prevent incidents.
3. Freight Forwarders and Port Operators: Should work closely with carriers and shippers to verify cargo documentation and ensure the accurate declaration of dangerous goods. They should also be vigilant in inspecting containers for any potential hazards.

The Cargo Integrity Group also stresses the importance of immediate communication and coordination among all parties to address any discrepancies or emergencies swiftly. As noted in the MSA circular, the proper management of dangerous goods, including temperature-sensitive materials and those with lower flash points, requires stringent adherence to safety guidelines.

“We must all work together to uphold the highest standards of safety in the transport of containers,” said the Cargo Integrity Group. “The recent incidents serve as a stark reminder that there is no room for complacency. We urge all parties to renew their commitment to safety, ensuring that the tragic events we have witnessed are not repeated.”

By adhering to international safety regulations and best practices, we can all help prevent future incidents and protect the lives of those working within the global supply chain.

ENDS

About the Cargo Integrity Group

The Cargo Integrity Group brings together international freight transport and cargo handling organisations with different roles in the supply chain and a shared dedication to improving safety, security and environmental performance throughout the logistics supply chain. The Bureau International des Containers, the Container Owners Association, FIATA, the Global Shippers Forum, ICHCA, TT Club and the World Shipping Council are cooperating on a range of activities to further the adoption and implementation of crucial safety practices and regulations.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Cargo Integrity Group Media Contacts

	Bureau International des Containers (BIC) Douglas Owen, Secretary General, [email protected]
	Container Owners Association (COA) Patrick Hicks, Secretary, [email protected]
	Global Shippers Forum (GSF) James Hookham, Secretary General, [email protected]
	International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association (ICHCA International) Maria Udy, Media contact, Portcare International, [email protected]
	FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations) Pritha Prasad, [email protected]
	TT Club Peter Owen, Media contact, Portcare International, [email protected]
	World Shipping Council (WSC) Anna Larsson, Communications Director, [email protected]

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