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 15 - Draft RSPM and Pacific Strategy for Sea Containers
UPDATE 14 - Update on recent developments
UPDATE 13 - Global Shippers Forum Update
UPDATE 12 - Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Recommendations
UPDATE 11 - FTA/APSA Submission to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
UPDATE 10 - Outcomes of the 2nd IPPC Workshop on Pest Risk Mitigation of Sea Containers
UPDATE 9 - Revised structure of sea containers
UPDATE 8 - IPPC CPM draft recommendation released
UPDATE 7 - Bi-lateral engagement with the World Shipping Council
UPDATE 6 - Conference - Sea Container Cleanliness (Brisbane)17 to 19 July 2023
UPDATE 5 - International Developments
UPDATE 4 - World Shipping Council Proposal
UPDATE 3 - Container Cleanliness Working Group and IPPC Brisbane Conference
UPDATE 2 - 'Safeguarding Continuum' and associated 'Custodial Responsibility'.
UPDATE 1 - Verified Pest Prevention (VPP) declarations
There have been several significant developments since the last Freight & Trade Alliance and Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) notice (UPDATE 15) on 29 September 2025.
These developments follow ongoing international discussions being progressed through the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and related forums, with potential implications for future regulatory approaches to container cleanliness and biosecurity risk management.
In this context, members may be interested to note that these issues will be examined at the upcoming Australia & New Zealand Shipping & Logistics Conference, where a joint government presentation will focus on IPPC-led initiatives aimed at improving container cleanliness and reducing biosecurity risks. The session will also explore regional approaches and collaborative solutions to safeguard supply chains and support compliance with international standards.
The presentation will be delivered by:
- Sina Waghorn PhD – Team Manager Aquatic & Environment Approvals & Advice, Ministry for Primary Industries
- Rama Karri – Director International Collaborations, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry
Against this backdrop, the Global Shippers Forum (GSF) has lodged a formal objection to the CPM Focus Group on Sea Containers following the unexpected circulation of a draft International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) relating to sea containers. ISPMs are legally binding instruments developed under the IPPC, with ISPM 15 (covering timber packaging and dunnage) being the most prominent example impacting international trade.
The draft ISPM emerged after the Focus Group's in-person meeting on 10 October, despite previous discussions deliberately stopping short of a decision on whether an ISPM was necessary. While several countries support further work in this area, no agreement had been reached to include an ISPM within the Group's established framework of recommended measures.
Although the current draft is directed at national plant protection organisations and remains relatively high-level, it includes provisions relating to container surveys, awareness-raising activities and encouragement of improved container design. The text also contains ambiguous references to compliance verification, site hygiene measures and third-party accreditation. GSF has warned that the draft remains open to further expansion during consultation, with the potential to introduce measures that could be detrimental to shipper interests.
GSF has also raised concern regarding the World Shipping Council's shift to supporting a mandatory ISPM, following years of opposition to such measures and the co-development of alternative approaches such as Custodial Responsibility.
FTA will continue to monitor developments closely, including through international and regional engagement, and will keep members informed as discussions progress and as further detail emerges on the potential impacts for containerised trade.