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.
REFER:
UPDATE 1 - Verified Pest Prevention (VPP) declarations
UPDATE 2 - 'Safeguarding Continuum' and associated 'Custodial Responsibility'.
UPDATE 3 - Container Cleanliness Working Group and IPPC Brisbane Conference
UPDATE 4 - World Shipping Council Proposal
UPDATE 5 - International Developments
UPDATE 6 - Conference - Sea Container Cleanliness (Brisbane)17 to 19 July 2023
SUMMARY
Through the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and Australian Peak Shippers Australia (APSA) support to the Global Shippers Forum (GSF) the following key developments have been achieved:
- a strong GSF counter-proposal has resulted in the World Shipping Council (WSC) withdrawing its proposal for a new Verified Pest Prevention (VPP) declaration;
- GSF has set out required changes to the Custodial Responsibility arrangements before it can publicly support them, some of which have already been met;.and
- likewise, changes have been identified that must be made to the Joint Industry Guidelines for Container Cleanliness to reflect shippers' concerns.
1. GSF Policy Council adopts CCWG recommendations
The GSF Policy Council met on 16 May and adopted the recommendations of Container Cleanliness Working Group arising from its meetings on 22 March and 12 April. These included a GSF Strategy on Container Cleanliness and the SWOT analysis of the WSC proposals for a Verified Pest Prevention declaration for every packed container.
2. WSC modifies VPP proposal
In considering GSF's position on the VPP proposals, Policy Council also reflected on the outcomes of two meetings held with WSC on 24 April and 9 May. At these meetings WSC dropped its requirement for a VPP declaration, provided GSF did the same for its proposed declaration for empty containers by the container operator. WSC also agreed that the VPP diagram should show the responsibility of the vessel operator for the container whilst aboard ship. On this basis GSF was invited to support the principle of Custodial Responsibility for container cleanliness. GSF was further invited to become a joint sponsor of the recently revised 'Joint Industry Guidelines for Container Cleanliness'.
3. Policy Council identifies changes
Policy Council identified a number of concerns that would be need to be addressed for the Custodial Responsibility proposals to be acceptable, and a series of changes to the Joint Industry Guidelines that would be required before GSF could consider associating itself with them. Responses to both are awaited. GSF sees merit in the Custodial Responsibility approach and can support it, but all parties must be included as appropriate, and the role of the container operator is key to its success as a risk reduction concept.
4. GSF sets terms for a joint Industry Paper at the IPPC Workshop
On the condition that these positions are accepted, GSF has agreed to make a joint presentation with WSC at the IPPC Workshop on Container Cleanliness being held in Brisbane Australia on 17-19 July. A separate presentation on GSF's own proposals and ideas for enhancing awareness of container cleanliness will be made by the Chair of the CCWG, Sal Milici. Sal's paper will cover several aspects of the GSF Container Cleanliness Strategy.
Comment
The withdrawal of the VPP declaration and the inclusion of the carrier's responsibilities for container cleanliness is a significant concession by WSC and demonstrates the value of robust collective action by container users. GSF continues to press WSC to make an unequivocal, visible commitment to the long-established principle that it is the responsibility of the container operator to supply an empty container that is 'clean'.
Furthermore, GSF has been successful in ensuring a fair hearing for the views and ideas of shippers and other container users in the IPPC Workshop. This gives the ideal platform to launch our own strategy and put container users on the front foot in addressing this issue going forward.
We remain grateful for the contributions of all Working Group members to help bring about a more balanced and representative industry approach to addressing this critical global issue.
A reminder that the next meeting of the GSF Container Cleanliness Working Group will be on Wednesday 26 July 2023, specifically to consider the outcomes of the Brisbane event. For further detail on participation in the CCWG, please reach out to Sal Milici at smilici@FTAlliance.com.au
CPD EVENTS
Further to our initial presentations in Sydney and Melbourne, Sal Milici and I will be providing an update at upcoming CPD events (Brisbane and Perth) with a focus on these important global trade developments.
"New Global Measures – Custodial Responsibility"
• Avoidance of contamination of sea containers by invasive pests
• International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) - four phases of the 'Safeguarding Continuum'
WEDNESDAY 14 JUNE 2023: Brisbane Airport Conference Centre, Dryandra Road, QLD
PROGRAM AVAILABLE HERE
SATURDAY 24 JUNE 2023: Hyatt Regency Perth, 99 Adelaide Terrace, Perth, WA
PROGRAM AVAILABLE HERE
Paul Zalai - Director FTA | Secretariat APSA | Director GSF