The UK P&I Club has announced that Signum Services are currently investigating a case involving large scale theft of cargo involving shipments of Yellow Peas and Rape Seed from Ukraine to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Each 20 foot container was stuffed with up to 25 tons as bulk cargo. To date we have uncovered in excess of 200 containers arriving at their destinations with over 95% of cargo missing. The full extent of this crime is not fully known as there may still be containers on route to many destinations by various shipping lines. Close examination of the containers reveal up to six small circular holes (each 4 inches in circumference) drilled into the floor of the containers. Containers were not weighed on entering the port of loading and relied on shippers’ declaration as shown in the Bill of Lading. All indications are that these thefts occurred before the containers entered the port. These shortages could not have taken place in the port.
This investigation is still very active and this message is circulated to UK Club members as an urgent warning to exercise extreme caution when shipping these types of cargo in bulk, in containers from Odessa. In cases of doubt, operators should ensure that the containers are weighed at the port before loading on to a vessel.
Source: UK P&I Club
