NEW GLOBAL MEASURES - AVOIDANCE OF CONTAMINATION OF CONTAINERS - UPDATE 2

Thursday, February 16, 2023

PLEASE NOTE - the development of new global measures for the avoidance of contamination of sea containers by invasive pests and cargoes will have a significant impact on international trade operational and reporting practices.
 
There has been an interesting development with the release of a recording from Osama El-Lissy, the Secretary of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).

Container and cargo pest risk mitigation and the facilitation of international trade

The recording makes reference to the Focus Group on Sea Containers.  This group is expected to compile recommendations for mandatory measures for the cleanliness of containers including detail of the four phases of the the 'Safeguarding Continuum' and associated 'Custodial Responsibility'.

A further stage of the Focus Group's work programme will draw on risk reduction measures and practices devised by industry, including a draft Recommendation of mandating the use of 'Verified Pest Prevention' (VPP) declarations. This being a proposal developed by the World Shipping Council (WSC) that would require exporters or their forwarding agent to present a signed declaration to the carrier that a container was pest-free at the time of shipment, otherwise the container would not be accepted for carriage.

This proposal appears to be closely modelled on existing Verified Gross Mass (VGM) declarations.
 
I will have the privilege of joining fellow Global Shippers Forum (GSF) board members in the first of a series of bi-lateral meetings with the WSC executive on Friday 24 February (10pm local time) seeking further detail about the VPP in terms of exporter and freight forwarder liability, potential administrative costs and overall benefit as a biosecurity safeguard.

A further update will be shared at which time we will seek FTA / APSA member feedback and involvement in associated committees to examine the proposed detail.

As outlined in our member notice NEW GLOBAL MEASURES - AVOIDANCE OF CONTAMINATION OF CONTAINERS - UPDATE 1, we remind members of:

  • the GSF initial proposals to the Focus Group;
  • detail of the North American Sea Container Initiative (NASCI) hosted by the World Bank in Washington, D.C. (21 and 22 February 2023); 
  • FTA / APSA collaboration with the WiseTech Academy (WTA) to develop micro-learning content to meet safety, security and biosecurity safeguards at the time of container receipt and packing; and
  • the second International Workshop on Sea Container Cleanliness to be hosted in Brisbane on 17-19 July 2023.

Further detail available HERE

FTA / APSA will keep members at the forefront of this important reform and encourage the sharing of views to Sal Milici (General Manager Trade Policy and Operations) at smilici@FTAlliance.com.au

Paul Zalai - Director FTA | Secretariat APSA | Director GSF