Pest-resistant container design took centre stage at a meeting between specialists from the global container shipping industry and biosecurity experts, aiming to address the $423 billion global challenge posed by invasive pests every year, reports World Shipping.
International symposium
Attendees at The International Symposium on Optimising Container Design to Mitigate Risks of Pest Contamination included representatives from major carriers, leasing companies, container manufacturers, biosecurity experts, and plant health stakeholders.
Key focus
A key focus was a groundbreaking study by the Australian government comparing standard containers with modified designs. The study revealed that while 8% of standard containers showed signs of pest contamination, the rate dropped to just 1.45% in modified units, demonstrating the potential of targeted design modifications.
The symposium looked at practical modifications such as floor designs that eliminate gaps and cracks and prevent nail holes; understructures with fewer horizontal ledge configurations; and the elimination of bitumastic under-coatings. These design changes aim to make containers less hospitable to invasive pests without compromising functionality or cost-efficiency.
The symposium was hosted in Rotterdam on 11th November 2024, organised by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat in partnership with the Bureau International des Containers (BIC), the Container Owners Association (COA), and the World Shipping Council (WSC).
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Source: World of Shipping
