OOCL clamps down on dangerous and hazardous cargo shipments

HONG Kong's Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) is to step up its inspection of containers in a move to clamp down on the transportation of dangerous and hazardous cargo. 'We are aware that there has been an increasing number of news on marine incidents being reported in 2019, many of which were suspected of potentially carrying un-declared and/or mis-declared hazardous cargo,' OOCL said in a notice to customers.

'To ensure safety compliance on shore and at sea are met, OOCL will strengthen our Dangerous Cargo acceptance and container inspection policy by imposing additional verification before loading through selective or random inspections on dangerous goods and potential dangerous goods cargo.'

The shipping line, which is now a unit of Cosco, stressed that it was the responsibility of all stakeholders in the carriage of goods to ensure all hazardous cargo are properly declared and handled according to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

'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.'

OOCL warned that 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, the shipping line added.

'We hope that the strengthening of our inspection procedures will ensure that dangerous goods are transported safely with minimal impact to customers.'

WORLD SHIPPING