Port Authorities and Container Lines Urged to Scrap Surcharges on Dangerous Goods

The TT Club said that unscrupulous consignees do not indicate that their shipments contain dangerous or toxic goods to avoid paying extra charges levied by ports and liners. The non-declaration of dangerous goods has caused 10 shipping accidents in the past five years.

One incident involved the Pacific International Lines container ship ?Sea Elegance,? which caught fire after an explosion of unmanifested chemicals. The chemicals exploded, killing one crew member.

Andrew Webster, the TT Club?s Cost Prevention Manager, said some exporters are ignorant about the codes and legal requirements to properly manifest dangerous goods. ?How much would it cost shipping lines, ports and terminals to scrap the surcharges? Not a lot,? he said.