BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION JUNE 2024 THE SURGE IN POPULARITY OF CONTAINER SHIPPING STEMS FROM ITS CONVENIENCE AND FAST TURNAROUND TIME. CARGO FUMIGATION IN CONTAINERS This transportation method utilises standardised cargo transport units (CTUs) to facilitate seamless handling, transportation, and storage of cargo without direct handling, particularly regarding dangerous goods or fumigated cargoes. A fumigated CTU is a closed CTU, such as a multimodal freight container, carrying goods or materials that have been fumigated within the unit. The fumigant gases used in this process are either poisonous or asphyxiant, typically released from solid or liquid preparations distributed within the unit 1 . Transporting such units poses potential risks to the ship’s crew, requiring the implementation of rigorous safety measures to safeguard the well-being of on board personnel. Therefore, the containers used in this process must close in a manner that minimises gas loss 2 , ensures proper sealing and effectively contains fumigant gases within the containers during the voyage. The Club previously published an insight into fumigation, and this article will further highlight the risks and raise awareness of the necessary safety precautions for transporting fumigated containerised cargoes. 1 International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, volume 2, Chapter 3.2: Dangerous Goods list 2 MSC.1/Circ.1361/Rev.1 : Revised Recommendations on the Safe Use of Pesticides in Ships Applicable to the Fumigation of Cargo Transport Units, 2022 2 | BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION | GUIDANCE FUMIGATION FOR CONTAINERISED CARGOES THE CONTAINERISED CARGOES THAT ARE MOST LIKELY TO UNDERGO FUMIGATION INCLUDE FOODSTUFFS, GRAIN, LEATHER GOODS, HANDICRAFTS, TEXTILES, TIMBER OR CANE FURNITURE, LUXURY VEHICLES, AND CARGO IN TIMBER CASES OR ON TIMBER PALLETS. Operators introduce fumigant gases into these containers during transit or before stuffing empty containers to prevent pest-related deterioration of the goods. Unlike bulk carriers, cargoes loaded in fumigated containers present a different set of problems to the crew. While these commonly used fumigants resemble those utilised on bulk carriers, such as phosphine, methyl bromide, or formaldehyde, nobody can practically and visually monitor the hazards during the voyage with sealed containers. Containers transported under fumigation containing no other Dangerous Goods (DG) should be carried in accordance with the IMDG Code under “UN 3359 - Fumigated Cargo Transport Unit, Class 9”, and provided with a proper shipping name. If any fumigant gas has been used as part of the packing process, then a fumigation warning mark (figure 1), should be displayed as per IMDG Code 3 and Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) 4 . Note that Class 9 placards should not be affixed to a fumigated container unless class 9 goods are carried inside the container. 3 International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, volume 1, Chapter 5.5: Special Provisions 4 MSC.1/Circ.1497 : IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code), 2014 FIGURE 1 Fumigation warning mark DANGER THIS UNIT IS UNDER FUMIGATION WITH (FUMIGANT NAME*) APPLIED ON (DATE*) (TIME*) VENTILATED ON (DATE*) DO NOT ENTER *Insert details as appropriate MINIMUM DIMENSION 400 mm MINIMUM DIMENSION 300 mm 3 | BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION | GUIDANCE FIGURE 2 Flowchart for loading fumigated CTU DANGER THIS UNIT IS UNDER FUMIGATION WITH (FUMIGANT N