Quarantine Blind Spot 'Empty Containers' to Undergo 3-Step Inspection Including Simplified Testing

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Announces 'Comprehensive Improvement Plan for Quarantine and Hygiene Management of Empty Containers'

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[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Quarantine of empty containers (Gong Containers) imported from overseas will be strengthened. Unlike containers loaded with cargo, there have been no separate inspection and quarantine procedures for empty containers due to concerns that they could be a pathway for the introduction of harmful invasive species.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 12th a 'Comprehensive Improvement Plan for Quarantine and Hygiene Management of Empty Containers' to block the inflow of harmful invasive species through empty containers and to improve congestion within ports.

Among containers entering through ports, those loaded with cargo are subject to quarantine authorities and procedures defined by individual laws depending on the type of cargo loaded. However, there have been no separate inspection or quarantine procedures for empty containers.

Accordingly, since December last year, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries held meetings with related industries such as shipping companies and terminal operators, as well as relevant agencies, to gather opinions and prepare the improvement plan.

First, to systematically manage empty containers imported from overseas, a joint management system will be established with related agencies including regional maritime affairs and fisheries offices, quarantine headquarters, customs, regional environmental offices, and port authorities to monitor and supervise the internal condition of empty containers.

Additionally, information on harmful invasive species managed by each agency will be shared, and a collaborative management system will be established by selecting key 'empty container management areas' through a consultative body.

Inspection procedures to prevent the inflow of harmful invasive species will also be established. Simplified inspections will be conducted on samples of empty containers imported from specific regions to check their internal condition, and cleaning will be performed if necessary. Furthermore, to collect management information on empty containers by shipping company and country, a joint 'Regular Survey of Empty Containers' will be conducted twice a year at four container ports: Busan, Incheon, Gwangyang, and Ulsan.

In addition, a channel will be created for cargo owners to report defective empty containers, and the imposition of fines based on these reports will be considered.

Along with this, the Ministry plans to revise relevant laws to impose obligations on shipping companies for empty container management and to provide a legal basis for the regular surveys. The Ministry will also continue discussions on expanding infrastructure to support empty container management, such as expanding external empty container yards at terminals and extending operating hours of internal container washing facilities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.