During the past three months, three different shipments of steel plates with origin Mariupol (Ukraine) have arrived to different Spanish Ports with dunnage wood infected with coleopteran.
It is important to note that the dunnage wood that at the moment of inspection at the port of destiny appeared to have the phytosanitary condition of infection by coleopteran, had the seal and certificates indicating the fulfilment of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures nº15 (ISPM 15), which regulates the wood packaging material in international trade.
The Spanish ports of destiny in which the infected dunnage wood was detected, were the ports of Bilbao, Gijon and Aviles. Please also note that for the moment, the authorities have applied no fines in relation to this incident.
Phytosanitary Authorities tried to fumigate the dunnage wood accompanying the first shipment, without success. Therefore, the Phytosanitary Authorities in these ports have taken the preventive measure to not allow the discharge of the dunnage wood that present this infection, and that this should remain on board the vessel and be transported to its origin.
It is recommended that the dunnage wood used with origin Mariupol (Ukraine) be duly inspected prior to its usage in order to avoid that the vessel shall remain with it on board once unloading operations in the Spanish Ports are concluded.
Source: Maritime Lawyers and Transport Services (INDECO)
