Commercial Information Circular No. 43/99
Annex B
Marine Department Notice No. 38 of 1999
(Statutory Requirement & Related Information)
Improper Handling of Fumigated Freight Containers,
Barges and Other Cargo Transport Units on Vessels
Attention of shipper, forwarder, cargo operator, shipowner, agent and master of vessels is drawn on the improper handling of fumigated freight containers and other cargo transport units that the required labels and adhesive tapes on fumigated freight containers and other cargo transport units have been removed before loading on board vessels. The purpose of labelling and sealing up the fumigated freight containers and other cargo transport units by adhesive tapes are to alert people of the danger and to prevent any escape of fumigating gas which is hazardous to people.
The Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulation, Chapter 413 stipulates that dangerous goods carried at sea shall be packed, labelled and marked, stowed and segregated in accordance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. This Regulation also requires that shippers or forwarders shall furnish the shipowner or master of vessels with dangerous goods declaration when delivering dangerous goods onboard.
Shipper, forwarder, cargo operator, shipowner, agent and master of vessels engaged in handling fumigated freight containers and other cargo transport units on vessels are advised to comply strictly with the above Regulation. On contravening the Regulation, operator shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine and imprisonment.
Detail information on procedures for stowing onboard fumigated freight containers, barges or other cargo transport units containing cargo under fumigation can be found in previous Marine Department Notice No. 182 of 1998 dated 23 December 1998.
S.Y. TSUI
Director of Marine
Marine Department
Government of the HKSAR
Date: 25 March 1999 Action file : PA/S/DG 908/5/9