Shipping Container Redesign Plans to Combat Invasive Pests

Regulators and shipping experts will convene in Rotterdam this November for a conference focused on redesigning shipping containers to prevent contamination by invasive pests. Hosted by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the event aims to discuss ways to eliminate voids and spaces on container surfaces where pests could gather during long sea voyages. Participants will include representatives from National and Regional Plant Protection Organisations, as well as manufacturers, owners, operators, and users of freight containers.

The conference will explore potential design changes for future container construction, as well as treatments for existing containers to minimize the risk of pest contamination. The focus will also be on addressing the underside surface of containers, which may come into contact with the ground during loading and storage. These discussions will build on operational recommendations put forth by the Commission for Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) earlier this year, emphasizing the importance of ‘Custodial Responsibility’ in preventing pest contamination.

Organized by the IPPC secretariat in collaboration with the World Shipping Council (WSC), the Container Owners Association (COA), and the Bureau International des Containers (BIC), the symposium has the endorsement and participation of the Cargo Integrity Group’s industry partners. The goal is to develop strategies that enhance the integrity of container shipments and reduce the risk of inadvertently spreading invasive pests through global trade.

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