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.