Hong Kong-based Orient Overseas Container Line issued a note to its customers on 31 July informing them that it will strengthen the company’s Dangerous Cargo acceptance and container inspection policy.
Henceforth OOCL will impose additional verification before loading through selective or random inspections on DG and potential DG cargo.
“It is the responsibility of all stakeholders in the carriage of goods to ensure all hazardous cargo are properly declared and handled according to the IMDG regulations. We respectfully request our customers to provide OOCL with accurate and complete cargo information, and confirm all dangerous goods are properly classified, packed, marked, labelled, placarded, and documented for safe storage, handling, and transportation according to the applicable international and national regulation,” the company said.
For certain commodities, ( not stated in the notice) OOCL may request additional information or documents for verification purposes.
Any inconsistencies between the declared cargo in the documents and what is physically inside the container will result in a Hazardous Cargo Misdeclaration Fee. Depending on the type of deficiencies found in such a shipment, the container may be put out of service and the cargo may be put on hold where penalties may be imposed, and charges associated with the misdeclaration will be on the shipper’s account.
In September 2018 the UK P&I Club noted that shipboard container fires are breaking out on a weekly basis and major fires that present a threat to life are happening on average every two months.
Source:
hongkongmaritimehub
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