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CQD Journal for the Maritime Environment Industry Volume 4, #1 - February 1998, Copyright 1995 Edward M. Miller Associates, Inc. |
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Dunnage - Environmental SurprisesThe ProblemGuardians at the GateWhat Could Happen? Prudence is Key |
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From the Editor Dear Clients and Friends: Our newsletter is changing. We've adopted a new
name, one we feel better fits the goals of our publication: CQD - Journal for the Maritime Environment Industry. Our coverage has always been topics of environmental concern to the maritime industry. Now our
title better reflects that focus. Here's why. The letters "CQD" conjure up a number of images; ones we feel fit our pamphlet's profile. Mariners may recognize CQD as the early call sign for distress eventually
replaced by SOS. The topics we choose indicate marine environmental distress and prompt action required by the maritime industry and others. "C.Q.D." is also used in the shipping business in another capacity. The term
indicates "customary quick despatch", a contractual obligation. We use literary license to transform CQD to "Customary Quick Dispatch." Dispatch is defined as a written message, particularly an
important communication, sent with speed. Our goal is to inform the maritime industry of marine environmental topics in a prompt and efficient manner.
We hope you continue to enjoy our journal and look forward to future issues. Chris Swanson |
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Dunnage: How often does an agent, broker or shipowner consider dunnage? In the past it was rare that concerns could arise with the large quantities of spare
wood used to pack and protect cargo and ship. Occasional shortages or disposal problems may have arisen. Nowadays, the shipping industry is faced with an ever increasing exposure due to environmental liabilities for
dunnage. Seasoned mariners may not believe that a banal subject as scrap wood could expose them to increased risks. An unaware shipper, caught with infested wood in his dunnage, might therefore be extremely surprised by his
hefty demurrage bill. More and more people are coming to understand that infested dunnage has become one of the top environmental concerns facing the international shipping community. |
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The Problem The marine environmental issue is, once again, invasive species. Timber and lumber interests are extremely concerned over increasing observances of
exotic insects and diseases damaging domestic lumber stands. In too many cases the avenues of importation are readily traced to ports and to leftover dunnage from discharging vessels. To protect their forests, governments
in the United States, New Zealand, Canada, Australia and elsewhere have enacted strict regulations regarding the types of dunnage allowed. The more stringent countries require pre-treatment and/or fumigation of all protective
wood. Agents and owners need to be aware of the myriad of port regulations as well as the types of problems they will face if port officials reject their dunnage. |
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Guardians at the Gates In the U.S., the experts who protect against invading species in cargo are the Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection &
Quarantine (Aphis, PPQ). These are the guys shippers don't want to get a call from. They're the officials who can quarantine cargo. Joseph Cavey, a program manager in Aphis, PPQ, explains that too many shippers
are not sufficiently aware of the type of wood used in dunnage and pallets that harbors potentially damaging species. Importers may follow regulations (US7CFR parts 319 & 300) that prohibit wood with bark. However,
adherence to these regulations does not mean a vessel will not be quarantined. Often problems arise with green or improperly dried wood. Removing bark will reduce the chance that many exotic organisms will get
on-board. However, deep boring grubs such as the Asian Longhorned beetle dwell in wood layers below the bark. The only sure way to kill such bugs is kiln drying or fumigation. Cavey points out that woodborer
larvae can survive very well in air dried lumber, up to 2 years in some cases. Consequently, even with bark removed, "green" looking wood will be inspected and may be held for identification and treatment. |
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What Could Happen? Let's imagine a scenario of how agents and owners get into trouble with improper dunnage. Our scenario begins with the M/V INFESTATION sailing to the
U.S. having loaded, among other items, an assortment of machinery in a busy third world port.
This scenario paints a scary but realistic picture in which costs quickly mount. Additional expenses include fumigation, inspection and a huge loss of time resulting in rapidly charging up demurrage. A week lost in
quarantine is neither unusual nor fanciful, even for cargo that should have been discharged in half a day. Aphis, PPQ keep a detailed database of their identifications which they use to watch for disturbing trends. Among
other items, PPQ monitors origin of cargo, type of cargo, identity of insects and seasonal tendencies. They have documented higher frequency of occurrence of invasive woodborers in dunnage protecting cargo such as cable
wires, granite, marble, tiles, pipe flanges, and machinery - particularly in cargoes originating from China. Extra diligence is employed in reviewing manifests and inspecting such suspect cargoes. |
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Prudence is Key Awareness is currently the best course of action. The most prudent shippers may insist on kiln dried or pre-treated wood. In cases where
dunnage is quarantined, owners may be stuck with infected wood in cargo holds, creating fumigation and disposal headaches. Diligent owners can have Masters monitor for improper wood during loading. All should be aware
of intentionally deceptive schemes such as exporters hiding bark and soft wood in between slats of clean dunnage. Irresponsible shippers following such practices should be reported to authorities and to P&I clubs.
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Next Issue In the next CQD, we will continue our coverage of the dunnage issue:
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CQD Journal for the Maritime Environment Industry is published by E.M. Miller Associates, Inc., Florham Park, NJ. www.cqdjournal.com All rights reserved. Copyright 1999. |
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This page last updated by Miller Associates: Thursday, June 05, 2003 |
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