Six shipping companies issue strict guidelines against the concealment of dangerous goods in container transport.
On 30 September, six domestic container shipping enterprises - Pan Asia Line, Antong Logistics, Zhonggu Logistics, Trawind Shipping Logistics, Hede Shipping, and Ningbo Ocean Shipping - jointly issued a public notice setting out mandatory compliance requirements for the transportation of dangerous goods. The declaration, directed at shippers, freight forwarders, and all other responsible parties, also outlines the industry's information-sharing framework and booking risk controls now in force.
I. Absolute Opposition to the Concealment and Illicit Inclusion of Dangerous Goods
The signatory enterprises reaffirm their unequivocal opposition to all unlawful conduct in domestic container cargo transportation, including the misrepresentation, false declaration, and unauthorized concealment of dangerous goods by shippers, freight forwarders, and related parties.
II. Strict Enforcement of Accurate Declaration Requirements
Shippers, freight forwarders, and all associated parties are required to declare the name, nature, and category of all consigned cargo truthfully and in full. The false or misleading declaration of dangerous chemicals, lithium batteries, oxidizers, and other hazardous materials as ordinary general cargo for containerized shipment is strictly prohibited.
III. Non-Compliant Parties to be Entered into the Industry Information-Sharing Mechanism
Where shippers, freight forwarders, or other responsible parties are found, upon verification, to have concealed, misrepresented, or illicitly included dangerous goods in their shipments, the signatory enterprises will formally notify the broader industry and enter those parties into the Dangerous Goods Concealment Industry Information-Sharing Mechanism. Each member of the joint declaration will exercise independent risk assessment to determine whether to accept bookings from such parties. This restriction remains in effect until all required corrective actions have been completed, all safety hazards eliminated, and the parties concerned have passed joint verification by the signatory enterprises, following which their reinstatement will be formally communicated across the industry.
IV. Industry Sanctions Do Not Supersede Legal Liability
The imposition of industry-level sanctions under this notice does not diminish or replace any administrative, civil, or criminal liability to which responsible parties remain subject under applicable law. All losses arising from damage to vessels or port facilities, personal injury or death, or environmental contamination caused by the concealment or illicit inclusion of dangerous goods shall be borne in full by the responsible party.
V. Public Reporting and Oversight Are Welcomed
The signatory enterprises invite ports, cargo owners, and all sectors of society to report instances of dangerous goods concealment, misrepresentation, and illicit inclusion, in order to collectively uphold the safety and regulatory order of domestic container shipping.
All cargo owners and freight forwarders are reminded to comply strictly with applicable laws, regulations, and maritime safety requirements; to declare cargo information accurately and completely; and to refrain from assuming that dangerous goods can be concealed within general cargo containers without consequence.
