Tag: fumigation

Britannia P&I Club released a case study focusing on an incident onboard a bulk carrier nearing the completion of loading corn cargo, which caused two fumigation contractors to asphyxiate and the death of one contractor. 

Most people aren’t trained to spot dangers unless they are obvious. However, the maritime industry takes invisible hazards very seriously and keeps highlighting best practices to avoid any risks onboard by staying aware of all invisible hazards as well.

Britannia P&I Club warns against the risks of fumigation and presents steps people onboard can take in order to mitigate those risks. 

The Swedish Club has published a casebook, presenting four different case studies related to fire. In one of them, a bulker suffered multiple explosions onboard.

Vessels on passage to some European ports are increasingly being requested by charterers to divert to an intermediate port to remove fumigants from the cargo holds prior to the final discharge port.

Many freight container units and bulk cargo holds on ships are treated with chemical pesticides termed fumigants. Fumigant must be applied according to the correct instructions. As holds are always unventilated for a time after fumigation, there may be a risk of excessive condensation, which can produce sweating or dripping. This can lead to cargo damage as well as fire and explosion risks, warns the Swedish P&I Club.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator is conducting marine safety investigations into two different incidents involving in transit cargo fumigation.

UK MAIB published its preliminary report on a fumigant poisoning that took place on the general cargo vessel Thorco Angela, with 1 person injured.

The International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) has recently highlighted a Health and Safety Operational Alert – “Fumigated Cargoes, Liverpool Incident” issued by Peel Ports Group.

Effective from 12 July 2021, Australia has introduced new fumigation requirements for containers coming from a total of 40 high-risk countries, in a bid to tackle Khapra beetle infestation.