Cargo Integrity Group highlights the types of goods that can pose a threat to supply chain safety

June 6, 2024 – Cargo Integrity Group highlights cargo types that pose a threat to supply chain safety Cargo Integrity Group’s industry body continues its mission to improve safety in global supply chains. The group has identified a number of cargo types commonly transported in containers that, under certain conditions, could pose a hazard. They urge those handling these cargo types to comply with all applicable regulations, the CTU Code and industry best practices.

In addition to promoting sound packaging and shipping practices, Cargo Integrity Group aims to raise awareness of the types of cargo, often less obvious, that can pose a safety hazard in the container supply chain under certain conditions.
The Group has identified fifteen such ‘Cargoes of Concern’ that are commonly transported by sea and intermodal. While these types of cargo are generally transported safely when regulations and guidelines are followed, the Group has created this list to highlight the types of cargo that can become hazardous if handled incorrectly. They highlight that cargoes that are misdeclared or have incomplete or inaccurate information about their identity are more likely to be involved in incidents.
The list is not exhaustive, but each item illustrates a common type of hazard, divided into three categories:

Reactive Hazard – These goods can catch fire and cause significant damage and injury under certain conditions. They are often subject to Dangerous Goods regulations. For example:

• Charcoal / Carbon
• Calcium Hypochlorite
• Lithium-ion Batteries
• Cotton and Wool
• Fish and Shellfish Meals
• Grain Cakes

Spill or Leak Risk – These goods can pose a risk if not packaged properly or if they are damaged. Spills or leaks from these goods can be harmful to the health of those cleaning up the spill as well as the environment. For example:

• Leather and Leather
• Wine
• Asphalt
• Cocoa Butter
• Waste – Recycled Engines and Engine Parts
• Vegetable Oils and Other Oils, Especially When Packaged in Flextanks

Consequences of Improper Packing – Poorly or improperly packed or secured cargo in a container can cause injury to personnel or damage to other containers, property or cargo nearby. Such incidents can result in serious accidents at sea or on land, such as truck overturns and train derailments. For example:

• Timber and Lumber
• Steel Coils
• Marble and Granite

In the coming months, Cargo Integrity Group will publish additional guidance on the identification and safe handling of these types of goods.
 
In the coming months, Cargo Integrity Group will publish additional guidance on the identification and safe handling of these types of goods.

“The combined experience of our organisations has been leveraged to identify these types of cargo and pinpoint some items where the risks are perhaps less obvious,” said Peregrine Storrs-Fox, TT Club’s Risk Management Director. “While the potential hazards of transporting, for example, calcium hypochlorite or lithium-ion batteries may be more widely recognised, the flammable nature of nut cakes or the hazards associated with cocoa butter or vegetable oils will be less well known.”

“Every actor in the global container supply chain is responsible for the health and safety not only of their own people but also of people at any stage of the container’s journey. Complying with the regulations and following the advice in the CTU Code saves lives, and we urge everyone transporting, packing and handling items that fall under this Cargoes of Concern category to be particularly diligent,” commented Lars Kjaer, Senior Vice President, World Shipping Council. Dedicated to improving safety, security and environmental performance throughout the entire containerized supply chain, the Cargo Integrity Group’s primary goal is to raise awareness and make wider use of the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Good Practice for Packing Cargo Shipping Units – the CTU Code.

As part of this effort, the Group has developed a ‘Quick Guide’ to the CTU Code, along with a Checklist of actions and responsibilities to guide those carrying out the packaging of goods in shipping containers. These are now available in all six official IMO languages ​​as well as Italian and are available here.

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Cargo Integrity Group
The Cargo Integrity Group brings together international freight forwarding and cargo handling organisations with different roles in the supply chain and a common goal of improving safety, security and environmental performance across the entire logistics supply chain. The Bureau International des Containers, Container Owners Association, FIATA, Global Shippers Forum, ICHCA, TT Club and World Shipping Council are collaborating on a range of activities to promote the adoption and implementation of key safety regulations and practices.

Cargo Integrity Group Media Contact Team

Bureau International des Containers (BIC)
Douglas Owen, Secretary General, douglas.owen@bic-code.org

Container Owners Association (COA)
Patrick Hicks, Secretary, secretary@containerownersassociation.org

FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations
Pritha Prasad, Marketing Director, marketing@fiata.org

Global Shippers Forum (GSF)
James Hookham, Secretary General, jhookham@globalshippersforum.com International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA International) Maria Udy, Media Contact, Portcare International, maria@portcare.com TT Club Peter Owen, Media Contact, Portcare International, info@portcare.com World Shipping Council (WSC) Anna Larsson, Communications Director, alarsson@worldshipping.org

FIATA