Ninety percent of global trade relies on sea transport, with 10% of these shipments classified as dangerous goods or hazmat cargo.
- Dangerous goods range from explosives to chemicals and lithium-ion batteries.
- Regulations mandate proper packaging and manifests for these containers to ensure safe transport.
Ship captains have reported cargo fires occurring once a week, posing significant risks to life, property, and the environment, prompting industry concerns. The National Cargo Bureau conducted 500 container safety inspections, revealing a 70% failure rate for dangerous goods containers bound for the United States, a concerning safety issue.
Some shippers engage in “cargo fraud” to save costs by mislabeling hazardous materials, leading to non-compliance with regulations.
- Customs and Border Protection officers in Boston work to identify and prevent criminal dangers before containers reach the port.
- Every container passing through the Conley Terminal is scanned for radiation, as some hazardous materials emit radiation.
Law enforcement is increasing fines for non-compliant shippers, aiming to deter intentional and malicious violations of dangerous goods regulations.
- The industry is also adopting technology to identify undeclared hazardous materials and prevent fires onboard ships.
The National Cargo Bureau plans further container safety inspections to enhance safety measures.