Animations

Ensuring containers are clean prior to loading is a crucial step in preventing the spread of invasive species

Packing a container at night under bright lights can attract unwanted insects that can then be transported across the globe.

Mud and vegetation harbour invasive pests, so it's important to ensure containers are clean prior to use.

Advice for maintaining control How to completely remove invasive pests from the prior load that might be contaminated.

Cleaning Cargo hold

ICHCA resources

ICHCA International have a wealth of information and guidance around the risks of pests in your container operation, to access click below. 

Further resources

This “Year in focus” brochure takes a look back over the full 12 months of 2023 at some of the key topics that TT has covered, the key events attended and the initiatives launched, all in the name of promoting safety, security and sustainability throughout the global supply chain.

When pests infiltrate the supply chain, there can be serious consequences for producers,
shippers, vendors and consumers.

A short, two-page summary on the prevention of pest related losses

The Group publish updates to their container safety guidance to ensure increased integrity in the global supply chain

TT Club believes all involved in intermodal cargo movements need to be aware of their responsibilities to tighten biosecurity.

Various sources of potential pest contamination exist throughout the global freight supply chain. Both national legislatures and multinational regulators are keen to minimise potentially devastating consequences to agriculture and the natural environment that unwanted invasive pests can deliver. All those involved in the movement of cargo internationally must heighten their awareness and tighten biosecurity measures.

Advice for maintaining control How to completely remove invasive pests from the prior load that might be contaminated.

At the start of 2021, there was great optimism following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through 2020. Countries grappling with its challenges took varying measures to control the spread of the virus and in doing so continued to unbalance trade flows, volumes and equipment availability. The development of several vaccines were welcome news and industry attention quickly switched to how to deliver such an invaluable cargo to every corner of the globe.

Ensuring containers are clean prior to loading is a crucial step in preventing the spread of invasive species

Mud and vegetation harbour invasive pests, so it's important to ensure containers are clean prior to use.

Packing a container at night under bright lights can attract unwanted insects that can then be transported across the globe.

Pest contamination by the movement of shipping containers is a threat to the global supply chain

TT Club calls for intrusive inspections of import and export freight to counter the risk of invasive pests

Read about the risks of transporting bulk grain in containers from bodily injury, to contamination, to damage to the container itself

Read more about how cargo integrity has become an issue of national security in the fight against pest contamination.

TT Club has been at the heart of a long-term campaign to increase awareness of good cargo packing practices, both as part of responding to incidents and through speaking at industry events. These efforts are now galvanised in the 'Cargo Integrity Group'.

Coinciding with the international launch of 'CTU Code - a quick guide', the Safe Container Loading Practices and Heavy Vehicle Safety campaign was launched in Australia, following an award of government funding. While the emphasis is on road safety in Australia, the messages are consistent with those of the Cargo Integrity Group.

Concerns have been raised over recent years that the movement of shipping containers facilitates the spread of pests adversely impacting sensitive environments. Both the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have now given endorsement to joint industry guidelines concerning container cleanliness.